WTA Finals betting tips: Sabalenka vs Pegula predictions
There have been winning starts for Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Cauff and Jessica Pegula, and they will be looking to build on their performances in the second round of matches.
Sabalenka and Pegula are the headline act on day three of the tournament followed by Elena Rybakina and Maria Sakkari.
After looking at the odds from the best UK betting sites, here are our predictions for the contest.
Sabalenka vs Pegula tips
(Tuesday, 9pm Prime Video)
World No.1 Sabalenka has been in irrepressible form this season on the WTA Tour.
The Belarusian made her breakthrough at a Grand Slam at the Australian Open, and anyone that watched the Netflix series Break Point will know that was a huge moment for Sabalenka in her career, especially after the trials and tribulations of the 2022 season.
She also reached semi-finals of the French Open and Wimbledon, and progressed to the final of the US Open before losing out to Gauff in three sets.
Sabalenka eased past Sakkari in her opening match of the WTA Finals, dropping only one game on her charge to victory. Pegula impressed too with a fine performance to defeat Rybakina in straight sets.
Both players are in good form heading into the contest, but it’s hard to look past Sabalenka given her results this year and bookmakers have made her the overwhelming favourite at 8/13.
She has a great record against Pegula, winning four out of their five matches. Pegula’s only win came in their first meeting in 2020 at the Cincinnati Masters.
Since then, Sabalenka has been relentless, triumphing by straight sets in all four of her victories, including at the WTA Finals in 2022. We’re backing the same outcome with a 2-0 Sabalenka win at odds of 11/8 with bet365.
Sakkari vs Rybakina tips
(Tuesday, 11:15pm Prime Video)
Both players know a loss would end their run in the WTA Finals after they suffered defeats in their opening matches. Sakkari was dominated by Sabalenka in their duel in the opening match.
The Belarusian did not allow Sakkari to settle into the game, easing over the line. Sakkari has not been at her best this season, suffering first-round exits at the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
She found a semblance of form at the Guadalajara Open with a fine victory in the event, defeating Garcia in the semi-finals. Since then, she has been disappointing, losing in the round of 16 at the Zhengzhou Open and her opening-match defeat to Sabalenka.
Rybakina could capitalise on her opponent’s lack of form. However, she needs to get back to winning ways as well after losing to Pegula.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner has endured an up and down season after losing to Sabalenka in the Australian Open at the start of the year.
The 24-year-old did earn revenge with a victory at Indian Wells and she won the Italian Open. But, her form towards the end of the campaign has been indifferent, highlighted by her loss to Pegula.
The two players have only met twice and have split the two contests, with Sakkari winning the last meeting at Indian Wells in 2022.
Given the recent form of the two players, Rybakina could edge the battle, and we’re backing her on the game handicap to win by four total games or more at –3.5 with Unibet at odds of 17/20.
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Simon Sinclair is an experienced sports journalist, who has written for national publications for football, cricket, NFL and many more. He contributes tips on a wide range of sports for The Independent.
