Aryna Sabalenka vs Victoria Azarenka Odds & Prediction – WTA National Bank Open Quarterfinals

• Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka meet Friday in the National Bank Open quarterfinals (Noon EDT)
• Both from Belarus, they first played each other only in 2019, with Sabalenka holding a 2-1 head-to-head
• We break down the matchup, with Sabalenka the favorite but Azarenka a tough out this week in Montreal

The gap in accomplishment between countrywomen Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabalenka is significant.

But at the moment, their levels of tennis are not that far apart.

And as Sabalenka is the top seed at the National Bank Open, and Azarenka has had an impressive week with a tougher draw, it sets up as a close one.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Victoria Azarenka Odds

Odds as of Aug. 12 at Bet365

Countrywomen are Friends, Rivals

Azarenka, 31 and Sabalenka, 23, are essentially from different tennis generations.

But they’re from the same country, and have been able to get to know each other when playing for Belarus.

They even have teamed up for doubles on the WTA Tour.

The duo was set to play in the Olympics a few weeks ago. But Azarenka made the decision to withdraw right after Wimbledon, which left Sabalenka without a partner.

Question Mark with Ankle for Azarenka

Once she decided to skip the Olympics, Azarenka had not planned to play anything until Montreal.

But she was called in late to replace injured American Jennifer Brady at a women’s exhibition event last week, part of the ATP Tour stop in Washington, DC.

After losing her first match to Coco Gauff, Azarenka withdrew from that after rolling her ankle in practice.

UNRÉAL battle in Montréal 🤩

🇧🇾 @vika7 holds off Sakkari in three sets and goes on to face countrywoman Sabalenka in the last eight!#OBN21 pic.twitter.com/MwQ8gBtGLj

— wta (@WTA) August 12, 2021

There have been no signs of an ankle issue so far in Montreal. Azarenka defeated Sorana Cirstea (another really hard hitter) comprehensively in her opener, and then came back to defeat No. 11 seed Maria Sakkari in a third-set tiebreak Thursday.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Victoria Azarenka Head-to-Head

Head-to-Head Matchup Inconclusive

The history between the two Belarusians has been a hodge-podge, and they only faced each other for the first time in 2019.

Part of that was that Azarenka was off on maternity leave through the first few years of Azarenka’s career.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Victoria Azarenka Match History

By the time they first met in the first round of the US Open, Sabalenka was already ranked No. 13.

Azarenka, who had been back on the Tour for nearly two years by then, had been sort of mired in the 40s and 50s in the rankings, unable to play consistently because of off-court issues involving custody of her son Leo.

That result wasn’t really a surprise.

But when they met a year later, Azarenka was on the come-up after winning the tournament the previous week – and on a mission.

Sabalenka, somewhat puzzlingly, showed up for their clash in body, but not in spirit. Azarenka went on to reach the US Open final.

Their match in Ostrava was emblematic of Sabalenka’s annual late-season success on the indoor hard courts. But Azarenka was feeling sub-par; she had the medical staff on the court to treat her for a migraine during the match.

To sum up, there’s not much to go by.

If they both play their best level on Friday, it will be a cracker.

Azarenka Handles the Big Bombers

Azarenka has done well dealing with very hard hitters in her career – she did come up in the Venus and Serena era, after all.

And she may have gotten into a good rhythm after facing hard hitters in her first two matches.

But she has played little in recent weeks. This is her first tournament since losing in the second round of Wimbledon. Sabalenka will serve harder and has the advantage of youth.

When Azarenka is on a mission, though, she is very tough to get through.

Best Bet: Sabalenka in three sets (+300)