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Aryna Sabalenka vs Ekaterina Alexandrova Odds & Prediction – WTA Kremlin Cup Quarterfinals

Hayley Graham

by Hayley Graham in Tennis

Updated Oct 20, 2021 · 2:46 PM PDT

Aryna Sabalenka hitting a return shot against an opponent during a tennis match.
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, during the semifinals of the US Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
  • No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka will take on Ekaterina Alexandrova in the Kremlin Cup quarterfinals on Friday
  • This will be the fourth meeting between these two players
  • Take a look at the odds, preview and our analysis below

The quarterfinals are beginning to shape up in Moscow at the WTA Kremlin Cup. No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka is back on the tennis scene, and quickly picked up her first win, after having to excuse herself from tour due to a positive COVID-19 test. She’ll take on Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova, who will be looking to gain another win at home.

It’s no surprise that Sabalenka enters the match as the heavy favorite to move on at -400 odds, although Alexandrova is coming off a strong win herself.

Where might be the best bet here? Take a look below for match odds, and a breakdown of how each player made it to the quarterfinals, as well as our best bet prediction.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Ekaterina Alexandrova WTA Kremlin Cup Quarterfinals

Player Spread Moneyline Total
[1] Aryna Sabalenka -1.5 (-150) -400 Ov 20.5(-130)
Ekaterina Alexandrova +1.5 (-130) +285 Un 20.5 (-110)

Odds as of October 20th at DraftKings.

Sabalenka Returns

23-year old Sabalenka played her first match since the US Open semifinals on Wednesday, to earn a win and book her spot in the quarterfinals in Moscow. It had been about six weeks since Sabalenka had competed, and she went on to defeat Ajla Tomljanovic 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-1, in a match that we were expected some rust, so don’t be alarmed it went three sets.

After receiving a bye in the first round, due to her No. 1 seeding, Sabalenka went head-to-head with Tomljanovic. She managed to find her serve in the match, as she recorded 10 aces, but there was a bit of rust, as she recorded 30 unforced errors. Something she will most definitely have to tighten up in the upcoming matches.

Sabalenka was able to convert five of 10 breakpoints, in the match that lasted just over two hours. She’s look to face one of the home favorites, Ekaterina Alexandrova, who will definitely have the crowd behind her.

Home Favorite

The unseeded Russian has been playing fairly well over the course of two matches here in Moscow. Her first match opponent, Ons Jabeur retired from the match at 6-1, 1-0 in the second set. And in her most recent match, she defeated Anhelina Kalinina 6-4, 6-1, in just over an hour, to improve to 23-19 on the season.

Alexandrova managed to win the final 16 of 18 points in the match against Kalinina, which solidified the win, and earned her a spot in the quarterfinals in front of a home crowd.

Heading into that match, the 26-year was expected to win, but Alexandrova showed how well she could play, with not just the win, but a dominating victory.

Sabalenka will be her next opponent, and won’t be an easy task. As the No. 1 seed, and second ranked in the world, Sabalenka’s game is quite different than the player that Alexandrova defeated back in 2017, and played in 2019.

Head-to-Head

This quarterfinal match will be the fourth meeting between these two players. Sabalenka currently holds the head-to-head edge, leading 2-1. Alexandrova won their first meeting back in 2017, but Sabalenka has won the most recent two, which both happened in 2019.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Ekaterina Alexandrova Head-to-Head Stats

Aryna Sabalenka
VS
Ekaterina Alexandrova
2 WTA Standing 37
23 Age 26
10 Career Titles 1
270/135 Career W/L 321/196
2 YTD Titles 0
43/15 YTD W/L 22/20
2 Head-to-Head Wins 1

Best Bet

This should be an interesting match here between Sabalenka and Alexandrova. Sabalenka being seed No.1, and ranked second in the world, but just coming back from six weeks without competing, but Alexandrova having the home crowd behind her.

But even with the home crowd, Sabalenka has the edge here. Yes, we saw a little bit of her finding her footing in her first match, but she quickly gained her confidence back, and was able to power through. Finishing it off with a 6-1 decider, is a great indication of what we can expect from Sabalenka moving forward.

Best Bet: Sablenka 2-0 (-125)

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