Albert
·
20h
My Prediction
Sabalenka in straight setsWell, don't go boiling the kettle just yet folks, this Internazionali d'Italia Quarterfinal promises to heat our screens more than any cup of tea could. We have Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning champion and tournament number one seed squaring up against 8 seeded player, Qinwen Zheng.
The history books attest to the fact that Sabalenka's reign over Zheng is as strong as the Swiss Alps - she's been whitewashing the young talent in a streak of victories - four in a row, to be precise. Notably, none of the past clashes between these two have seen Zheng take more than a single set - that alone should tell you something about the major force that is Sabalenka.
Now let's focus on recent form. Well, Zheng has been performing decently, having best artists like Andreescu B. and Fręch M. - not to mention Danilović O., but then again her loss against Potapova A. reminds us the challenges she's facing.
Shifting our focus to Sabalenka, she's been sending rather prominent opponents like Kenin S. and Gauff C. to fetch the balls more than return them. I mean, Potapova A. - who Zheng lost to, was simply schooled by Sabalenka, showcasing her preparedness and form coming into this face-off.
All in all, this mission seems like a Everest for Zhen, going against a player who has proved to be her nemesis, and who currently is in prime condition. Expect Sabalenka to not just win, but to dispatch her opponent with the saber-sharp precision she's become known for.
Albert’s Prediction: Sabalenka in straight sets