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

Prediction published on 31/08/2022, 06:22  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 31/08/2022 at 07:23 in Tennis Predictions

Sixth seeded Aryna Sabalenka takes on unseeded Kaia Kanepi in the US Open second round  Sabalenka is yet to win a tournament this year but has shown some improved form of late. The year began with Sabalenka as the world number two. If Ashleigh Barty had retired a bit earlier, she'd have been promoted to the top ranking. However, that wasn't to be and at one stage Sabalenka slipped to eighth in the world. Last year saw her get to the last four in New York but this year has reached only the fourth round in Australia (where she lost to Kanepi) and third round of the French Open. The Belarusian (banned from Wimbledon) recently got to the last four in Cincinnati, losing to eventual winner Caroline Garcia.. Only two finals have been reached this year, one on clay and the other on grass. The first round of this Grand Slam saw her defeat qualifier Catherine Harrison for the loss of only four games. The winner of this match takes on unseeded opposition in the next round.

Kaia Kanepi only just missed out on being seeded for the 2022 US Open. The week began with her in 34th place but it's 10 years since she achieved her best ever ranking of 15th. The 37-year-old reached the last eight in tthis year's Australian Open but since then has made only the third round at Roland Garros and lost her opening match at Wimbledon. The start of August saw her make it all the way to the final in Washington, losing to Liudmilia Samsonova in the title decider but no top 70 ranked players were beaten that week. Since then, Kanepi lost in the last 32 in Toronto and the last 64 in Cincinnati. The first round of this tournament saw her back in winning ways with a straight sets victory over Tereza Martincova. Kanepi has won both of her previous matches against Sabalenka. Both were played in Australia in 2021 and that Australian Open match this year with both going to three sets. Sabalenka can get a frst win over Kanepi in this match.