Kaia Kanepi vs Aryna Sabalenka Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Australian Open

Prediction published on 23/01/2022, 12:30  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 23/01/2022 at 14:02 in Tennis Predictions

Second seeded Aryna Sabalenka is still in contention to finally make a Grand Slam final. Sabalenka faces the world number 115 Kaia Kanepi in the fourth round of the Australian Open. The second seed has equalled her best performance in this tournament, the fourth round she reached last year. 2021 saw her win two titles last year and reach the semi-finals at both Wimbledon and the US Open. That first Grand Slam final still eludes her though. This year didn't get off to a great start for Sabalenka, losing in the first round of both the tournaments held in Adelaide. Another first round exit looked possible as she lost the first set to Storm Sanders in the first round. Sabalenka fought back to win the next two sets, dropping just five games. More problems occurred for Sabalenka in round two with three sets needed to beat unseeded Wang Xinyu. Sabalenka lost the first set 6-1 but then only lost six games in the next two. Another three-setter took place in round three as the second seed beat Marketa Vondrousova (seeded 31st) and it was the same old story. The first set was lost but only four games lost in the next two as Sabalenka made it to the fourth round. At least it's given her time on the court after her poor warm-up tournaments.

It was back in 2002 that Kaia Kanepi first played in her first Grand Slam main draw. The 36-year-old has reached six Grand Slam quarter finals, two in each of the other three that are held each year. This is her first time past the third round in the Australian Open as she bids to reach her first Grand Slam quarter final since 2017. Kanepi lost in the final of the Gippsland Trophy in Australia last year, her first final since 2013. On her way to the final, she beat Sabalenka in three sets, their only previous meeting. The Estonian was ranked as high as 15th at one time, but that was 10 years ago. This year began with her in 73rd place but her only warm-up tournament saw her lose in the second round. This run to the fourth round has seen her live ranking go up to 93rd. Wins have come this week against Angelique Kerber, Maria Bouzkova and a three set win over Madison Inglis. losing the first set but then winning the next two 6-2 6-0. Sabalenka needs to make a better start to matches but can be backed to beat Kanepi and take on either Iga Swiatek or Sonya Cirstea in the last eight.