Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa will be the last two players to begin their WTA Finals campaigns when they battle Thursday night in Guadalajara. Sabalenka and Badosa are both making their debuts at the season ending championships, presumably their first of many. Badosa is one of the in-form players on tour. Having won Indian Wells a few weeks ago, can the Spaniard get off to a winning start in Mexico? Or will the top-seeded Sabalenka be too strong?
WTA Finals Day 2 Predictions
Aryna Sabalenka vs Paula Badosa
H2H: Badosa 1-0
Aryna Sabalenka finds herself in an unusual situation–the top seed at the season-ending championships despite never reaching a Grand Slam final. Nevertheless, Sabalenka has undoubtedly had a fantastic season, highlighted by a pair of 1000-level titles in Abu Dhabi and Madrid, as well as semifinal appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open. Sabalenka hasn’t played much tennis over the last few months, though. The Belarusian was diagnosed with COVID-19 just before Indian Wells, disrupting the final part of her season.
Paula Badosa captured the biggest title of her career in style when she outlasted Victoria Azarenka in an epic to emerge victorious in Indian Wells. The Spaniard has had a couple of weeks to regroup after that major victory, which was the cherry on top of a career-best season. The 23-year-old has proven that she is very capable on any surface thanks to her solid playing style and strong attitude. It will be interesting to see how she fares in Guadalajara.
Badosa emerged victorious in the pair’s only previous meeting, a 5-7 6-2 7-6 victory in Cincinnati earlier this year.
I’m going to with Badosa here. Sabalenka’s lack of tennis over the last few months is a concern heading into such a strong tournament. Badosa has had no such problem, having recently won the biggest title of her career. The Spaniard is in the form of her life right now. Badosa was able to beat Sabalenka in their previous meeting on a fairly quick hard court. However, the courts in Guadalajara are expected to be slower, which will suit the Spaniard. I suspect Badosa will simply be too solid; there will be too many unforced errors from Sabalenka against such a consistent and confident opponent.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
