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The China Open kicks off with a bang as world number 1 Aryna Sabalenka takes on the resilient Sofia Kenin in a marquee first-round encounter. Sabalenka, who recently held the top spot, enters the tournament with the memory of a dramatic US Open final, while Kenin arrives following a strong showing in Guadalajara. Brace yourselves for a fierce battle in Beijing.
Our favourite Aryna Sabalenka vs Sofia Kenin – match predictions
Contents
Sabalenka will be pleased to be on the court and put her US Open final heartache behind her. Kenin is going through a similar phase, going deep in San Diego and Guadalajara, but not getting over the line in the end.
Over 20.5 Games @ 9/10 (1.90)
Duels between Sabalenka and Kenin have been exciting affairs, going down the line at each time of asking. Their H2H record stands 2-1 in favour of Kenin while the last two duels saw at least 21 games being played. Kenin triumphed in Rome earlier in the year and will not let up easily. Both stars have momentum on their side and will have fireworks for each. Based on this, we anticipate an exciting duel where at least 20.5 games are played.
2-1 to Aryna Sabalenka @ 3/1 (4.00)
The Belarusian is the favourite but will not find it easy. The last time Sabalenka and Kenin played against each other on a hard court was in China, a three-setter in which the former triumphed back in 2018. They come up against each other again and have strong form. Sabalenka made it to the US Open finals, while Kenin reached the final in San Diego and the semi-finals in Guadalajara. We expect to see more of the same, Sabalenka continuing her run after a three-set battle.
The odds in this article were correct at the time of writing, and the odds are subject to change. We recommend checking with your bookmaker before placing a bet.
Sabalenka takes on Kenin’s challenge in first outing as World number 1
Our predictions for this match have now been established, let’s see how these players have fared so far this season for the latest tennis betting tips and predictions here.
Aryna Sabalenka preview
Sabalenka, the reigning world number 1, comes to the China Open on the heels of a memorable yet heartbreaking US Open final. Despite being the favourite, Sabalenka faced a spirited comeback from Coco Gauff in a thrilling final at Flushing Meadows. Her current form, however, remains formidable, making her a formidable force in Beijing. All eyes will be on her and the marker on her back, adding to her concerns on the WTA tour.
Sofia Kenin preview
Sofia Kenin arrives in Beijing with momentum from her recent. She heads into the China Open following a strong semifinal run at the Guadalajara Open. Her performance in Mexico showcased her tenacity and ability to compete at a high level. Prior to that, Kenin reached the final in the San Diego Open, underlining her consistency on the hard courts. Her fighting spirit and relentless style of play make her a challenging adversary on hard courts.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Sofia Kenin head to head
In their previous three meetings, Aryna holds a 2-1 edge over Sofia. On hard courts, it is the Belarusian who has enjoyed success in their encounters, while Kenin proved her ability on clay.
Key match details
- When will this match start? This match starts at 07:00 GMT on 1st October.
- What is the prize money for China Open 2023? The total prize money for China Open 2023 is $8,127,389.
- Who is the reigning China Open champion? Naomi Osaka was the last China Open champion.
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