The 24-year-old Aryna Sabalenka takes on the experienced Kaia Kanepi in the second round of this year’s US Open competition.
Aryna Sabalenka
The 2021 US Open semifinalist began her campaign this year at Flushing Meadows with a comprehensive win against America’s Catherine Harrison in straight sets 6-1, 6-3. The sixth seed proved to be too good for the qualifier.
Sabalenka has not won a title this year but she has reached the finals at the Stuttgart Open and the Libema Open. She also made it to the semifinals at the Italian Open and the recently-concluded Cincinnati Masters.
Kaia Kanepi
The 37-year-old has not been in great form in 2022. However, she reached the final of the Citi Open last month before losing to Ludmilla Samsonova after winning the first set.
Kanepi defeated Tereza Martincova in the first round 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. She will have to bring her wealth of experience to the court as she faces World No. 6 Aryna Sabalenka. Last year, the Estonian was ousted in the second round by eventual runner-up Leylah Fernandez.
Head-to-Head and Prediction
Kaia Kanepi has a 2-0 lead over Aryna Sabalenka in the head-to-head scoreline. They met each other for the first time at the Gippsland Trophy in 2021 for the first time. Kanepi won 6-1, 2-6, 6-1. This year at the Australian Open Kanepi defeated Sabalenka in the fourth round 5-7, 6-2, 7-6.
Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka to win in three sets.
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