It’s No. 3 seed Aryna Sabalenka against No. 6 seed Jessica Pegula in the WTA Cincinnati Open final. The former has just defeated World No. 1 Iga Swiatek for the first time in over a year, while the latter finds herself on a nine-match win streak. Who do you think will take the title?
WTA Cincinnati Final Prediction
Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 4-2
The decision to start her North American hard court season early might end up working out amazing for Aryna Sabalenka. While she didn’t win either Washington or Toronto, she picked up some rhythm and was able to get herself in great shape by Cincinnati. She’s loving how fast the courts are playing here and other than not dropping a set the entire week, she’s also taken out Iga Swiatek after losing to her three times in a row.
Jessica Pegula has also picked up so much steam over the last two weeks. She was injured around the clay season and then disappointed a bit at Wimbledon, despite taking the WTA 500 in Berlin a couple of weeks earlier. But now is when the American is truly shining. She defended her title in Canada, before making the Cincinnati final as well. It’s already nine wins in a row and it seems like she clawed her way back into the group of contenders for the US Open.
Pegula defeated Sabalenka in both their outdoor hard court meetings, but she won’t be the favorite on Monday. The Belarusian has looked incredible this week and the way she blasted Swiatek off the court has to be taken as a huge warning sign by the rest of the tour. Pegula is a different matchup and she’s better at absorbing fast-paced balls in slicker conditions than the Pole is. But Sabalenka doesn’t have much to be scared of here as it’s just not the same caliber offensively. The Toronto champion might be running a bit low on steam by now as well.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
