Aryna Sabalenka vs. Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-head: Sabalenka leads 4-3
Fans of first-strike tennis will get more than their fill in the final Center Court match of the day, a rematch of a roller-coaster US Open third round where Sabalenka won 12 of the final 15 games from a set down.
Sabalenka will be on court for the first time since her runner-up finish at the Australian Open, a disappointing defeat that saw her fall just short of a third consecutive title Down Under. Still, the three-time major champion left Melbourne atop the WTA rankings and a chance to build on her point total after skipping Doha in 2024.
To do that she’ll have to beat an in-form Alexandrova, who is fresh off a fifth career title in Linz. Though Sabalenka has the benefit of a first-round bye, she’ll be facing Alexandrova cold, where the world No. 26 had the benefit of having already played a match (defeating Emma Raducanu in straight sets).
Champion in Doha back in 2020, Sabalenka has hit through power players at this tournament in the past—defeating none other than Petra Kvitova in the final—and while Alexandrova is match tough, her win in Linz was indoors. Apparently recovered from the disappointment of her Australian Open loss to Madison Keys, Sabalenka is bring a low-pressure mindset into the Middle East, which could spell trouble for the field.
Winner: Sabalenka
