Head-to-head: 1-0 Konta
The Rabat final is set to be one of the most exciting matches of the tournament. Both players are at a similar spot in the rankings, seeded sixth and seventh, and have a lot to play for. Sakkari is a young talent who is looking to make her breakthrough and consistently challenge the best in the game. Konta has had a successful career, winning the Miami Open and breaking into the top ten, but has struggled to find consistent success.
Maria Sakkari finished 2018 on a high note, but has not quite been able to rediscover that form this year. Although she played very well on hard courts last season, it seems playing on clay may have been just what she needed. In reaching her second tour-level final this week she has yet to drop a set. Indeed, she has only even been pushed to a tiebreak once.
Rabat Final Prediction
Johanna Konta has had to grind out her wins this week, but has very much earned her spot in the final. Clay has historically been her weakest surface, never making a semifinal before this week. She topped opponents such as second seed Su-Wei Hsieh, always a fighter, especially on a slow surface like clay. Konta has been in this position before with her three WTA titles, but none of them have come on the dirt, a surface she has struggled on. She has a lot of court time this week, but her most convincing win was in the semifinal over Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic.
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Prediction
The final will likely be decided by which player has more control over their groundstrokes to hit great shots while limiting errors. A win here would give both players a shot a seeding at Roland Garros, especially with the points up for grab in the upcoming weeks. Sakkari is less experienced on this stage, but that also often means she will be more free swinging and aggressive. This, coupled with the fact that she is the stronger clay courter, will help her triumph to capture her first title.
Prediction: Sakkari in three
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