Italian Open 2024: Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka preview, head-to-head prediction, live streaming details

Published at :May 18, 2024 at 10:03 AM

Modified at :May 18, 2024 at 10:03 AM

(Courtesy : Getty Images)

This is the 11th meeting between both players.

The world’s top two women’s singles tennis players will meet in a blockbuster final at the Italian Open 2024 in Rome. World No. #1 Iga Swiatek of Poland and No. #2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus advanced through the draws to set up a rematch of their recent thriller at the Madrid Open.

It will be the first time in tournament history that the WTA’s top two ranked players will square off for the Rome title. Swiatek is aiming to become just the third woman after Serena Williams in 2013 to win the prestigious Madrid and Rome tournaments back-to-back.

Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion, is seeking redemption after coming agonizingly close to winning a third straight Madrid crown last week before Swiatek mounted a comeback from match point down in the final. The hard-hitting Belarusian is still seeking her first title in Rome.

The match has implications for the upcoming French Open as well. Both players have been dominant on clay this season, with Swiatek riding a 16-match win streak and Sabalenka victorious in 12 of her last 13 matches on the surface. Their performances in this premier clash could foreshadow the complexion of the race for the Roland Garros title.

Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka match details

Date: May 18, Saturday

Time: 8:30 PM IST (Tentative)

Venue: Foro Italico, Rome

Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka preview

World No. #1 Iga Swiatek has advanced to the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome, where she will be seeking her third title at the prestigious WTA 1000 event. The reigning champion has had an impressive run, starting her quest with victories over Bernarda Pera, Yulia Putintseva, Angelique Kerber, and Madison Keys.

In the semifinals, Swiatek faced a stern test against World No. #3 Coco Gauff. After a shaky start, the Polish star found her rhythm and secured a 6-4, 6-3 win over the American. This victory marked Swiatek’s 10th career win over Gauff and propelled her into a 25th career final and 12th at the WTA 1000 level.

On the other side of the draw, Aryna Sabalenka has also booked her place in the final after an equally impressive run. The Belarusian defeated Katie Volynets, Dayana Yastremska, Elina Svitolina, and Jelena Ostapenko en route to the quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinals, Sabalenka faced Danielle Collins and, despite losing an early lead, managed to regroup and win 7-5, 6-2. This victory secured Sabalenka’s eighth WTA 1000 final appearance and the 28th of her career.

Head-to-head records

Matches – 10

Iga Swiatek – 7

Aryna Sabalenka – 3

The upcoming match on Saturday will mark the 11th career meeting between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, with Swiatek holding a 7-3 lead in the head-to-head record. The world No. 1 has won their past two encounters.

Sabalenka’s three victories against Swiatek have all gone the distance, requiring three sets to decide the outcome. Her most recent win came last year in the Madrid final, where she defeated Swiatek on clay for the first time in her career.

Where and how to watch live streaming and TV broadcast of Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka, Italian Open 2024, final match in India?

Unfortunately, there won’t be a live telecast of the WTA 1000 matches in India. However, fans can catch the live action of this clash on Tennis TV as well as on WTA TV.

Prediction

World No. #1 Iga Swiatek enters her next match against Aryna Sabalenka as the overwhelming favourite based on recent statistics and head-to-head history.

The 21-year-old Polish star has dominated the tour over the past year, winning 89.53% of her matches compared to 77.27% for Sabalenka. Swiatek’s numbers are even more impressive on clay courts, her strongest surface, where she has claimed an 88% career winning percentage.

Head-to-head, Swiatek leads their rivalry 7-3, capturing 17 of the 25 total sets they have played. She also won their latest meeting, defeating Sabalenka 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7) in the Madrid Open final on May 4th.

Key metrics in Swiatek’s favor include winning 54.99% of points on second serve in recent form compared to 49.3% for Sabalenka. She also wins an impressive 60.18% of return points on opponent’s second serves, while Sabalenka claims 56.25%.

However, Sabalenka’s powerful game cannot be discounted entirely. She pushed Swiatek to three sets in their Madrid clash and has beaten her three times in ten career meetings. But the slower conditions in Rome could neutralize Sabalenka’s biggest weapon – her booming serve.

Result: Iga Swiatek to win in straight sets.

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