Qinwen Zheng vs Aryna Sabalenka Prediction: A battle of playing style

Get ready for a thrilling US Open 2024 Quarterfinal match between Qinwen Zheng and Aryna Sabalenka as both turn out to be one of the most feared gamers on the WTA Tour. The world number 7-ranked rising Chinese star, Qinwen Zheng, has been displaying excellent consistency throughout this tournament with immense resilience. Standing across the net will be Aryna Sabalenka, the world number 2, who possesses an immensely powerful game coupled with an aggressive baseline. This match brings two players in good form against each other but also presents a battle of different styles.

Coming into this stage, Zheng had a fighting three-set win in the Round of 16 against Donna Vekic. She was serving strong, full of fight, and able to raise her game at the most important moments.

It is particularly important that the serve goes well for Zheng, especially when she manages to get a high percentage of first serves in play. With her serving, she will need to maintain the pace to keep the opponent off guard and back her powerful forehand to dominate the rallies. In this match against Sabalenka, Zheng's deep and angled shots will help achieve just that. If Zheng is to take away the Belarusian's aggressive baseline game, she will have to bring variety into the rallies - slice, drop shots, and rhythmical changes of pace may all work in disrupting Sabalenka. Her defensive attributes and retrieving ability could also help in frustrating Sabalenka into unforced errors.

She will need to be composed, especially during the surges of power that are bound to come from Sabalenka. The experience of remaining cool at critical junctures, as seen in Zheng's match against Vekic, will be important.

Where Sabalenka dismissed Elise Mertens in straights, much of her usual mix of power and precision was present, especially on serve.

The key to Sabalenka's game is her strong serve and groundstrokes. She will try to dominate the rallies from the baseline, with her heavy forehand and backhand pushing Zheng around the court. The first-serve percentage is important to be kept high since that would allow her to control the points from the very beginning.

Sabalenka has usually loved to play an aggressive brand of tennis, often finishing points off quickly. She will look forward to stepping inside the baseline to take the ball early and therefore take away reaction time from Zheng while limiting her capability to defend. While her aggressive approach is her strength, it also leads to a much higher error count. She will need to balance that aggression with control, so she doesn't give away those free unnecessary points through unforced errors. And all that with a high level of focus, especially in tight moments, to avoid any lapses.

If anything, this match should be decided by who is able to enforce their style of play on whom. Though both players enjoy quality service, it could end up being a critical factor in how well Zheng can win points on her second serve, especially against the aggressive returns of Sabalenka.

Zheng proved she can be clutch in tight matches, like her Round of 16 victory over Vekić. Still, Sabalenka has plenty of experience and the ability to often bully her opponents with raw power. A key for Sabalenka will be trying to prevent Zheng from getting into extended rallies, where she has been able to create a lot from defense. If Zheng could absorb Sabalenka's power and capitalize on her mistakes, she might just cause the upset.

• Over 20 Games @ 1.63 Odds
• Aryna Sabalenka Win 1-2 @ 4.00 Odds
• Total 3 Sets @ 2.50 Odds