Top seed Aryna Sabalenka is set to face qualifier Rebeka Masarova in the second round of the Berlin Open. Sabalenka, currently the world No. 1, received a bye in the first round and enters the match with an impressive season record of 40 wins out of 47 matches. She has captured titles in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid, along with reaching finals at major tournaments such as the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
Masarova has been riding a wave of momentum, having recently defeated 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in straight sets. Despite her experience on the ITF circuit, with six titles to her name, Masarova has yet to claim a WTA title. She has demonstrated flashes of potential this season, including a finals appearance at a WTA 125 event in Lleida and semifinal runs in Puerto Vallarta and Birmingham. However, her consistency has been a challenge, with several early exits in WTA-level competitions.
Statistically, Sabalenka is having a standout year with significant numbers, including 156 aces and winning 67.4% of her first-serve points. In contrast, Masarova has recorded 40 aces and a 73.8% success rate on her first serves across her six main-draw matches, but these stats come from a limited number of events.
This match marks the first meeting between these two players, and given Sabalenka’s experience and form, she is favored to win. Betting odds reflect this sentiment, with Sabalenka at 1/7, highlighting her status as a heavy favorite for the match against Masarova, who sits at odds of 9/2.
Overall, this clash not only emphasizes Sabalenka’s consistent excellence on the tour but also presents an opportunity for Masarova to showcase her talent and resilience against one of the top players in women’s tennis. It will be intriguing to see if Masarova can capitalize on her recent win and challenge Sabalenka’s formidable game.