Brisbane International: Aryna Sabalenka vs Daria Kasatkina Preview; Head-To-Head; And Prediction

After a successful 2023 season, World Number 2, Aryna Sabalenka, is up and rolling this season. Last year, she won the Australian Open title and made it to the finals of the US Open. Hoping to defend her Grand Slam title Down Under, the Belarusian star has already reached Australia where she is playing at the Brisbane International. Sabalenka has reached the quarterfinal stage there and faces Daria Kasatkina next. Let’s find out how the odds stack up for the duo.

Sabalenka has looked in top form ever since stepping on the court this year. She is the top seed in Brisbane and a strong favorite to win the title there. But Kasatkina might prove to be a tricky opponent for her, who herself has started the season wonderfully.

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Daria Kasatkina: Preview

Being the first and the fifth seeds respectively, Sabalenka and Kasatkina were awarded a bye in the opening round of the tournament. The former has had a fairly easy draw going into the quarterfinals. In the second round, she outplayed Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti in straight sets 6-3, 6-0. Subsequently, she had an even better performance against Lin Zhu, dispatching her 6-1, 6-0.

Like Sabalenka, Kasatkina has also not lost a set yet in this tournament. She opened her campaign against Marta Kostyuk, prevailing over the Ukrainian 6-3, 6-4. Magda Linette, the ninth seed, might have proved to be a tricky opponent for Kasatkina in the pre-quarterfinals, but she had a comfortable straight-set victory 6-4, 6-2.

Sabalenka vs. Kasatkina: Head-to-Head

Sabalenka and Kasatkina have had an intriguing rivalry, and have faced each other many times on the WTA Tour. In the seven matches played between them, Sabalenka has come out on the top on five occasions. Despite the rivalry tilting in Sabalenka’s favor, their matches have often been keenly fought.

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Last year, they met twice on the tour, in Cincinnati and the US Open. The Belarusian star was dominant in both the matches, winning them in straight sets. Given her blistering start to the year and the previous results, Sabalenka looks a strong favorite to win the match against Kasatkina in Brisbane.

Prediction: Sabalenka to come out on top

In the hot and humid conditions in Brisbane, the top seed is predicted to win the match against Kasatkina in straight sets. While Kasatkina will try to give it her all, it might not prove to be enough against Sabalenka, who is aiming to make a winning start to 2024 by winning the Brisbane International title.

Their match takes place later today. Who are you putting your bets on in this mouth-watering quarterfinal clash? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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