Albert
·
6d
My Prediction
Sabalenka in straight sets.Ladies and gents, we've got a banger on our hands here at the Miami Open Semifinals. Aryna Sabalenka and Jasmine Paolini. Now where'd I leave my popcorn?
Now, while Paolini has shown moxie in recent weeks, you can’t help but think that Aryna Sabalenka has been on fire, dismissing her foes without breaking a sweat. Sabalenka, aka the 'Belarusian Beast', has given Paolini a couple of tennis lessons in the past, punishing her in two straight occasions in 2024 and 2023. They say history has a funny way of repeating itself, and in this case, I wouldn't mind betting on it.
At a glance, their recent form paints a rather lovely picture. While Paolini may have caused some recent upset and is currently riding a wave of wins, she did stumble against Samsonova, while Sabalenka has only tasted defeat once in recent performance, to Andreeva. Those who've watched Sabalenka knows that she's more likely to bounce back than a super ball thrown against the ground.
Seeds? Well, Sabalenka sharply tops the line, seeded numero uno, while Paolini trails at sixth. Seeding isn’t everything, but it sure as heck gives you a decent nudge towards the finish line.
So, in conclusion, place your horses on the Belarusian. I'm expecting Sabalenka to serve it to Paolini just as she did in their previous two encounters.
Albert's Prediction: Sabalenka in straight sets.