Paula Badosa vs Daria Kasatkina Prediction & Betting Tips - Sydney, Australia

Prediction published on 13/01/2022, 16:43  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 13/01/2022 at 18:41 in Tennis Predictions

Fifth seeded Paula Badosa takes on unseeded Daria Kataskina for a place in the Sydney International final. Badosa is world ranked ninth but up a place in the live rankings. Reaching the final of this tournament will see her rise to a career highest seventh. Last year saw her storm up the rankings and 12 months ago, Badosa was 70th in the world. The Spaniard won tournaments in Belgrade and Indian Wells. The latter was the biggest win of her career and was followed by a semi-final in Mexico. This is her third semi-final in a row after having wins over Jelena Ostapenko, Ajla Tomljanovic and Belinda Bencic. Only in the latter match did she lose a set.

Daria Kasatkina is ranked 26th but up to 23rd in the live rankings. Beating Badosa would see her go up another two places. The Russian was in the top ten four years ago but was down at 72nd this time last year. Highlights of 2021 were winning in  Phillip Island and St Petersburg and  reaching the final of the Silicon Valley Classic and a grass court tournament in Birmingham, England. She's made a strong start to 2022 with a run to the last four in Melbourne. No player in the top 55 was beaten though and Kasatkina lost to Amanda Anisimova (then ranked 78th) in the semi-final. Her good form has continued this week with wins over eighth seed Sofia Kenin, Elise Mertens and then second seed Garbine Muguruza, all without losing a set. Having shown the best form so far this year, Kasatkina can be backed to reach the final, where either Barbora Krejcikova or Anett Kontaveit await.