As 2024 draws to a close, tennis fans await an exciting encounter that sees Greece's Maria Sakkari take on Kazakh Elena Rybakina at the United Cup for the highly anticipated singles action between the two. While one is looking to conclude a great year, both try to gain momentum, ensuring excitement, drama, and top-tier tennis.
Wishing all our readers a very Happy New Year, full of joy, health, and thrilling sporting moments! Let's dive into the preview of this intriguing clash.
This match has everything to make it an entertaining fight. Will Sakkari bounce back with a statement win, or will Rybakina's power and consistency prove too much to handle? Let us know your predictions in the comments below!
Claim Welcome BonusMaria Sakkari
Maria Sakkari is the WTA No. 32-ranked Greek star who is widely known for her powerful baseline game and incredible athleticism. But 2024 hasn't been too kind to the Greek star, as her form has been very inconsistent in 2024, with 4 wins and 6 losses in the last 10 matches.
Her last appearance on the court, against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, was a sad letdown as she lost in straight sets, 2-6, 1-6. Though Sakkari had 4 aces, she was struggling with her serve - only 45% first serves in and 4 double faults to make matters worse. She converted 2 break points and did very little to disturb her opponent's serve.
The key for Sakkari in this match will be to rediscover her rhythm, improve her serve consistency, and play with aggressive intensity. Her mental strength will also be put on full test against such an opponent as Rybakina.
Elena Rybakina
WTA No. 6 Elena Rybakina has had a pretty decent season and comes into this encounter with a slightly better recent form, 3 wins against 4 losses. She is a big-serving Kazak powerhouse who usually loves precise groundstrokes to take control of the points from the baseline.
In her last match, Rybakina cruised to a dominant win against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-3. Though she surprisingly had zero aces, her first-serve percentage was 65%, and an impressive 90% of break points saved showed her poise in crucial situations. Her return game was efficient, and converting four break points also showcased her tactical awareness.
For Rybakina, maintaining her first-serve percentage and staying aggressive in rallies will be crucial. She’ll look to exploit Sakkari’s struggles on serve and dictate play from the baseline.
Head to Head
This head-to-head sees these two face off for the fourth time, with Rybakina leading 3-1 against Sakkari. Their matches are quite competitive and often very close, with Rybakina's power game testing the defensive capabilities of Sakkari.
Expert Betting Tips
This is an intriguing contrast of styles: Sakkari thrives on her defensive skills, counterpunching, and physical fitness, whereas Rybakina's power game and tactical precision often give her the upper hand.
That Sakkari is inconsistent in form, particularly on serve, might prove to be her Achilles' heel in this contest. With her knack of going for the kill if there is even a sniff of short length, Rybakina, with her solid mental makeup, holds an edge, but should Sakkari turn this into a physical encounter, neutralizing Rybakina's baseline power, it may be time for an upset.
- Match Winner; Elena Rybakina to win in 3 Sets: With her recent form and head-to-head advantage, Rybakina is the safer pick in this matchup (1xbet: 4.05 Odds)
- Total Games Over 19.5: Given the competitive nature of their previous encounters, expect a closely contested match with plenty of games. (Bet365: 1.80 Odds)
- Sakkari to Win a Set: Despite her recent struggles, Sakkari has the ability to take a set if she plays aggressively and minimizes errors. (Betway: 2.50 Odds)
Other predictions
