Friday sees the final matches of Group B take place at the WTA Finals in Fort Worth. Maria Sakkari has already secured her place in the knockout stages with two straight sets wins so far this week. However, the final spot is still to be determined. Any one of Jessica Pegula, Ons Jabeur or Aryna Sabalenka could grab the second spot. That should make for a great day of tennis across the two matches taking place on Friday. This is our only set of WTA Finals day 5 predictions, so let’s get stuck in.
WTA Finals Day 5 Predictions
Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka
Head-to-head: 3 – 1 Sabalenka
Sabalenka has had the run of this matchup so far, winning their last three encounters. However, all those wins came on clay and Jessica Pegula was the victor in their only hard court match. That being said, Pegula is yet to win a match at Fort Worth and her hopes of advancing hang by a slim thread here. Sabalenka has plenty of motivation to cut that thread here as a win for the Belarusian sees her advance. However, if Pegula can win then it all depends on the Sakkari match. Both these players have a lot to play for, but I expect Pegula will be desperate to notch a win here given the tournament is in her home country. I don’t think she can win it in straight sets, but I back her to steal it in a close third set.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Ons Jabeur vs Maria Sakkari
Head-to-head: 2 – 2
Sakkari has managed to rectify what was fast becoming a disappointing year with some solid results over the past couple of weeks. The Greek star made the finals of the WTA 1000 event in Guadalajara behind some great tennis. She’s followed that up by being the first player to qualify for the knockout stages in Fort Worth. By contrast, Jabeur is yet to qualify and hasn’t played all that much tennis since the US Open. Jabeur has more to play for here but Sakkari is in great form and isn’t the kind of player to coast given she’s already qualified. This should be a cracking match and I expect Sakkari to win it in three close sets. She will need to serve well to do so, but that hasn’t been an issue for her so far this week and I expect it won’t be in this match either.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
