Aryna Sabalenka vs Shuai Zhang Prediction: Sabalenka is back in Form

For the fifth time in their careers, Aryna Sabalenka and Shuai Zhang will square off in the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Open. They are slated to perform on GRAND STAND on Friday at 3:30 p.m. Here are the relative prediction and head-to-head statistics.

The seventh-ranked Belarussian advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Shelby Rogers 6-4 6-72 6-4 and Anna Kalinskaya 6-3 4-1 ret.Rogers was beaten by Sabalenka in the third round (6-4 6-72 6-4). Sabalenka outscored Rogers during the game, 109 to 104. Aryna attacked 46 winners with unusual vigour.

Regarding the service games, Sabalenka recorded 10 aces and just 6 double faults. Aryna Sabalenka saved 7 break points after losing the serve three times. Additionally, Sabalenka delivered 59% of her first serves, earning 45% (20/44) of the points after her second serve and 73% (46/63) of the points following her first serve. The Belarussian converted 56% of her break points to break Rogers five times.

Sabalenka has a strong record over the past seven years, winning 65% of her games (253-134). 10-9 on a difficult in 2022. Speaking of Sabalenka's performance on this competition's hard court, she has an overall 144-70 match record over the previous 7 years.

Shuai, ranked 44th, defeated Naomi Osaka 6-4 7-5, Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3 6-4, and Anett Kontaveit 2-6 6-4 6-4 to get to the quarterfinals.Zhang overcame a one-set disadvantage and defeated Kontaveit in the third round (2-6 6-4 6-4). Both Zhang and Kontaveit scored the same number of points during the game (94). The most notable difference in the match was that the world no. 7 was stronger throughout the crucial stages. Chinese players blasted 36 victories with a lot of aggression.

Speaking about serving, Zhang made only 4 double fumbles while recording 3 aces. Shuai Zhang saved two break points after losing the serve five times. Zhang also made 71% of her first serves, earning 58% (36/62) of the points after her first serve and 44% (11/25) of the points after her second serve. After converting 56% of Kontaveit's break points (5/9), the Chinese broke her five times.

Between the two of them, Sabalenka is unquestionably the superior server, especially when she isn't burdened by a tonne of double faults. Sabalenka can determine whether or not this comeback to form is fleeting by using Zhang as her test player. If she is actually returning, she will easily knock her opponent off the court to spare the Belarusian from suffering yet another humiliating defeat.

• Handiсap Aryna Sabalenka (-4.5) for 2
• Total Under 20.5 for 1.98
• Individual Total 1 Over 12.5 for 1.97