Elena Rybakina at the 2023 Australian Open.
3rd seed Elena Rybakina squares off against 6th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Open on Friday.
The Kazakhstani No. 1 has been in sublime form this season. After early exits in the Adelaide International 1 and Adelaide International 2, Rybakina bounced back to reach the finals of the Australian Open for the first time. She lost to Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final.
After receiving a bye in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open, Rybakina faced former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova in the round of 16. The 23-year-old made light work of the veteran, beating Pliskova in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 with her aggressive game. The kind of form Rybakina is in, it will be a tough task to stop her.
The Brazilian star had a sensational season in 2022, winning consecutive titles in Nottingham and Birmingham. She has reached the quarterfinals for the second time in 2023.
Haddad Maia came back from a set down to defeat Marie Bouzkova in the round of 32 of the Abu Dhabi Open. The 26-year-old dominated the match as it progressed. She won 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. In the round of 16, Haddad Maia faced a game Yulia Putintseva. This turned out to be a humdinger. It turned out to be a battle of nerves in the end and Haddad Maia managed to keep her calm to win 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-4).
Beatriz Haddad Maia and Elena Rybakina have never faced each other as yet. Therefore, the head-to-head scoreline currently stands at 0-0.
Prediction: Elena Rybakina to win in straight sets.
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