GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 14: Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic celebrates after match point in her singles match against Barbora Krejcikova of Czech Republic during 2021 Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara at Centro Panamericano de Tenis on November 14, 2021 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images for WTA)
World No. 6 Aryna Sabalenka has played exceedingly well in the US Open tournament so far. She will face former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova in the quarterfinal on Wednesday.
The Belarusian has shown great determination in her matches at this year’s US Open. She has had to fight hard in quite a few matches and has held her nerves in crucial moments to reach the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows for the second year in a row.
Sabalenka began her campaign with a convincing win against Catherine Harrison. In the second round, veteran Kaia Kanepi gave the 24-year-old a real scare. However, the youngster managed to register the victory in the third set. In the third round, Sabalenka made light work of Clara Burel, defeating the Frenchwoman in straight sets. Sabalenka faced home favorite, Danielle Collins, in the fourth round. The American won the first set but Sabalenka managed to come back strongly to win the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The 30-year-old has won three out of her four matches at the US Open in the third set. She came into the tournament on the back of an exit in the round of 32 at the Cincinnati Masters. However, she didn’t let the lack of momentum coming into the US Open get to her.
The experienced campaigner defeated Magda Linette in three sets in the first round. Pliskova’s only win in straight sets came against Marie Bouzkova in the second round. She came back from one set down to defeat Belinda Bencic in the third round. In the fourth round, she defeated 2-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka to seal her spot in the quarterfinals.
The head-to-head is evenly poised at 2-2. The last time they met each other was in the semifinals in Montreal last year. Pliskova got the win in straight sets.
Prediction: Karolina Pliskova to win in three sets.
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