Karolina Pliskova vs Aryna Sabalenka Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA US Open

Prediction published on 06/09/2022, 17:22  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 06/09/2022 at 18:23 in Tennis Predictions

Both these players have been in the top two in the world but have seen their rankings slip. Karolina Pliskova is the 22nd seed and faces the sixth seeded Aryna Sabalenka. Pliskova topped the rankings five years ago but this is only her third Grand Slam quarter final since the 2019 Australian Open. Last year saw her reach the Wimbledon final and the last eight in New York. This year hasn't gone so well after beginning it ranked fourth in the world. Pliskova didn't start playing tournaments until March of this year and is currently only 26th in the WTA Race. A recent semi-final in Toronto showed signs of her form recovering but she still remains an inconsistent player prone to shock defeats. It's not been an easy route to the last eight of this tournament with three matches going to a final set and twice being a set down. Pliskova has won her last two matches against Sabalenka, both wins coming last year.

Aryna Sabalenka is yet to win a tournament this year and began this tournament ranked sixth, four places lower than she was last year. Her live ranking is down to seventh as she's defending the points won when reaching the US Open semi-final last year. If winning this match, the Belarusian will be in only her third Grand Slam final. Her form was poor at the start of the year but has gradually improved. Two finals have been reached by Sabalenka this year. Two sets have been dropped on her way to the last eight in New York. One was against Kai Kanepi who nearly beat her in straight sets. Sabalenka showed fighting spirt in that match and also when coming from behind to beat Danielle Collins. The sixth seed can win this but might again need three sets.