Aryna Sabalenka will play her first event as the world number one in Beijing, and the first match at the 2023 China Open will feature a worthy challenger in Sofia Kenin.
Sofia Kenin put together some amazing performances in recent weeks, making a deep run in San Diego and Guadalajara. Neither finished with the trophy, but it's the best we've seen Kenin play in a very long time. She's back in the Top 50 on the WTA Tour after a very long time and just enjoying life right now.
You could say the same thing for Sabalenka, who is currently the world number one after becoming it following her US Open run to the final. She didn't get the trophy but will try to get the one in Beijing, though it's a tough road ahead.
Head-to-head:
Kenin and Sabalenka have played a few times before and Sabalenka leads the H2H 2-1. One of those matches was played this year actually, and it was in Rome where Kenin famously once lost 6-0 6-0 to Victoria Azarenka. She didn't lose to Sabalenka though, beating her 7-6(4) 6-2.
Sabalenka will be eyeing revenge, especially cause she won their first two matches, both of which were played on hard courts and not only that. Both happened in China.
Prediction:
So will Sabalenka make it 3-0 against Kenin on Chinese hard courts? Well, it looks likely, even with the most recent resurgence by the American. The reason is the conditions that suit Sabalenka far more as it's quite bouncy and gives time for her to set up her devastating power.
Kenin can hit with the best of them, but even she's not that powerful when you put her against Sabalenka. She might frustrate her and force errors, but I don't see it. I just think that Sabalenka will overpower her eventually.
Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka to win in two sets.
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