WTA Parma Final Prediction

Maria Sakkari vs Mayar Sherif

Head-to-head: Sakkari 1-1 Sherif

The two finalists are, by and large, fighting for different things. World #7 Maria Sakkari has had her 2022 season peter out a bit after a strong first three months that included a run to the Indian Wells final. The Greek, sitting in ninth in the live WTA Race to the Finals is fighting for a chance to make her second appearance at the year-end championships. This week, Sakkari has had to battle time and time again, coming back from a set down in the first three rounds against Kateryna Baindl, Arantxa Rus, and Maryna Zanevska. The 27-year-old got her first straight-set win since Wimbledon earlier today, beating Danka Kovinic.

After two WTA 125 titles in Karlsruhe in two years, Mayar Sherif is through to her second WTA 250 title of her career, looking for her first title. The Egyptian has struggled for regular wins on the main tour throughout the season, so this result helps out a lot with her ranking and keeps her well within the Top 100. Sherif’s draw has been quite kind to her throughout the week, beating Anna Bondar, Simona Waltert, and Lauren Davis all in straight sets. The first real challenge for the Egyptian came in the semifinals, Ana Bogdan pushing her to 6-4 in the third. The impact of this match is multiplied by the fact that she has to play the final later today.

Sakkari and Sherif have split their two previous meetings though the circumstances of those two matches were quite different. The Egyptian overcame the World No. 7 6-1 in the third back in 2013 at an ITF $10k in Vinaros. Sakkari’s win came last year in Doha, allowing Sherif just three games. I don’t expect quite the same level of dominance from the Greek in this instance but I do see Sakkari winning here, especially with her semifinal match being an easier win compared to Sherif’s.

Prediction: Sakkari in 2