A final between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina in Australia? Sounds familiar. After clashing for the title at the Australian Open last year, these two are now battling for the trophy in the biggest warm-up ahead of that event, the 2024 WTA Brisbane International. Who do you think will win?
WTA Brisbane Final Prediction
Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 5-2 Rybakina
Aryna Sabalenka has only dropped 15 games at WTA Brisbane, and 40% of them came in the semifinals against Victoria Azarenka. While she hasn’t won a title since May, she remained a consistent threat on the WTA Tour last year until the very end, only surrendering the year-end No. 1 position to Iga Swiatek at the WTA Finals. The Belarusian also started her 2023 campaign with a title, in fact not losing a single time in January across Adelaide and the Australian Open.
Elena Rybakina has been able to match Sabalenka’s dominance this week, dropping just 12 games in seven sets played (Anastasia Potapova retired against her after the opener). Somewhat similarly to her opponent, the Kazakh cooled off slightly in the latter half of last season but remained among the best few players in the world. Last year going 1-2 before the Australian Open didn’t stop her from making the Melbourne final, now she’s off to a much better start.
Sabalenka used to have a clear edge in this rivalry, but they went 2-2 against each other last year, with Rybakina joining the top ranks. What should we expect from their match on Sunday at WTA Brisbane?
This one’s always a true battle for who gets to have the first strike and all the matches they played last year were a pretty spectacular watch. The way they’ve destroyed all the other competitors this week suggests that they’re clearly the two most in-form competitors in the event and might provide the fireworks. Any further analysis seems futile with the big serves and power-hitting both can offer on their day. You can flip a coin, Sabalenka’s the (slightly) better player overall.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai – USA TODAY Sports
