The Abu Dhabi WTA Women’s Tennis Open is set for a terrific match between in-form Aryna Sabalenka and Veronika Kudermetova. The two players come in amazing form after a week of high level tennis from both ladies. Now, the two will meet in a match that no doubt will be a great one to watch.
Sabalenka’s Road To The Final
The 22-year-old Belorussian is coming from an impressive week as she has continued her winning streak from last year. Sabalenka started the tournament playing against the Slovenian Polona Hercog. It was a tough test in the beginning as they went into a first set tie break in which it saw Sabalenka edge Hercog in the end. In the second set the young Belarussian proved to be too much for the Slovenian and took the set and match 7-6, 6-2.
Next, she took on Ajla Tomljanović and proved to be too much for the Australian. Tomljanovic did put up a fight, but Sabalenka was too much to handle for Tomljanović as Sabalenka took the match 7-5 6-4.
She then took on Ons Jabeur, who on paper looked like a tough match for Aryna. However, Sabalenka dispatched the Tunisian easily to a 6-2, 6-4 victory. The Belorussian was yet to drop a set until she met Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals. It started off well for Sabalenka as she won the first set. Differing from the first set, Sabalenka lost the second set and went to a third and deciding set for the first time in the tournament.
Clearly the young Belorussian picked up her level of game as she took the third and deciding set 6-3. This saw the Sabalenka move in to the semi-finals and she got passed a tough test along the road. In the semi-final she faced Maria Sakkari where on paper it was an even matchup. However, that was not the case as Sabalenka dominated the match from the beginning and won in straight sets 6-3 6-2.
Kudermetova’s Road To The Final
The 23 year old Russian started off the tournament against a tough opponent in Anett Kontaveit. The first set was an even one were Kudermetova came out on top. In contrast to the first set, the second set was a one sided affair as the young Russian breezed through the set and won the match 7-5, 6-1.
Kudermetova then took the young Italian Bianca Turati, who got into the main draw by getting passed the qualifying rounds. She easily beat the Italian 6-2, 6-1 and then met Paula Badosa Gibert in the next round. The Spaniard proved to be tougher opponent as she took the second set of the match from the Russian who won the first set. Although, in the third and deciding set Kudermetova ran off with the set and match and advanced to the quarter-finals.
Indeed this was the toughest opponent that she would face in terms of ranking as she took on Elina Svitolina. No doubt that Kudermetova had to bring her A game into this match as she lost the first set. Clearly she did bring it as she took the next set easily and forced a third and final set.
In the final set, both players elevated their game and it went to a tie-break. There, the Russian took advantage of her opportunities and took the match and advanced into the semifinals. There she met the young teenager Marta Kostyuk in a great match. The first set went into a tie-break in which the Russian took it. Eventually Kudermetova took the second set and match to set up the final against Aryna Sabalenka.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Veronika Kudermetova
This will be the first time that these two will meet as professionals as they have played once against each other back in 2015 in a 10k Antalya tournament. Sabalenka won that match in straight sets, but this time it will be very different. Both players have raised their level since then, especially Sabalenka. However, Kudermetova has been playing well all week long and will try to solidify her amazing run with a victory in the final.
Without a doubt this match will be a very good one as both women will try to seek the first championship of the season in the first event of the year. Kudermetova has yet to win a WTA singles title and will want to change that. Sabalenka will try to win her ninth WTA single title but will have to overcome a Russian opponent who is playing her best tennis of her young career.
In short, this match will be a great one with Sabalenka being the favorite. Kudermetova will try to use that to her advantage and will try to put pressure on the Belorussian from the get-go. Sabalenka is known for her heavy hitting and will try to dictate the game from the beginning. No question this match is looking to be a really interesting and fun one.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
