Rankings & Form
Aryna Sabalenka enters this US Open clash as the world No. 1, boasting 8,575 ranking points and a solid recent form of WWLWW. In contrast, Kamilla Rakhimova is ranked No. 92 with 852 points and a less consistent run, reflected in her WLLWL form. Sabalenka’s status as the top seed underlines her dominance on tour, while Rakhimova will look to leverage any momentum she can gather in this underdog role.
Head-to-Head Dynamics
Sabalenka holds a perfect 3-0 lead over Rakhimova, including victories at the French Open and WTA Washington. The matches have generally been straight sets, with Sabalenka winning twice 2-0 and once 2-1. This head-to-head edge highlights Sabalenka’s ability to impose her game on Rakhimova, who has yet to find a winning formula against the Belarusian powerhouse.
Recent Matchups & Momentum
Looking at their last four matches, Sabalenka has secured three wins with commanding 2-0 scorelines and only one loss where she was swept 0-2. Rakhimova’s recent results are more mixed, with two wins and two losses, including a 0-2 defeat and a close 1-2 loss. Sabalenka’s consistent ability to close matches efficiently should give her a psychological advantage heading into this encounter.
Match Prediction
Taking into account Sabalenka’s top ranking, dominant head-to-head record, and superior recent form, she is the clear favorite to advance. The expert pick aligns with this, offering around 1.20 odds on Sabalenka to win. Additionally, backing Sabalenka to take the first set at approximately 1.30 seems a solid bet given her history of strong starts against Rakhimova.
