Aryna Sabalenka vs Veronika Kudermetova Prediction & Picks - WTA Dubai Tennis Championships

Prediction published on 2/18/25, 7:03 AM  by Lou Aguila | Modified on 2/18/25 at 7:05 AM in Tennis Picks

Aryna Sabalenka of Belgium will try to end a rare losing skid as she faces Veronika Kudermetova of Russia in the second round of the 2025 Dubai Tennis Championship on Tuesday. Sabalenka is now on a two-match slump after absorbing a stunning second-round loss to Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6 6-3 7-6(5) at the 2025 WTA Qatar Open. Still finding her groove following her final loss to Madison Keys in the final of the 2025 Australian Open, Sabalenka had no clue what was coming to her in Qatar, completely caught by surprise by Alexandrova’s impeccable performance. Sabalenka won 45 points off her first serves but was broken four times in the match and conceded crucial points down the stretch. Kudermetova reached the second round in Dubai by beating Alexandrova in a three-set dogfight 3-6 6-4 6-3. Kudermetova seized control of this All-Russian duel by winning 70 percent of her first serves and capturing three breakpoint conversions. She has now won three in a row, including her two wins over Chloe Paquet and Celine Simunyu in the qualifier.