Indian Wells 2022: Aryna Sabalenka vs Jasmine Paolini preview, head-to-head & prediction | BNP Paribas Open
Match details
Fixture: (2) Aryna Sabalenka vs Jasmine Paolini.
Date: 12 March 2022.
Tournament: BNP Paribas Open.
Round: Second round (Round of 64).
Venue: Indian Wells, California, USA.
Category: WTA 1000.
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt.
Prize money: $8,369,455.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel & ESPN | UK - Amazon Prime Video.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Jasmine Paolini preview
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka will open her BNP Paribas Open campaign on Saturday against World No. 46 Jasmine Paolini.
Sabalenka has had a mediocre season so far. The World No. 3 has failed to show the form that took her to the Wimbledon and US Open semifinals last year.
#sabalenka 💦🍑🔥 https://t.co/FkgZDlZmjy
She has a 6-5 win-loss record for the year, with her best performance of the season being a quarter-final finish at the Qatar Open.
Clearly, the Belarusian is yet to hit her stride in 2022 and will hope that the Indian Wells Open is the tournament where she gets back into rhythm.
26-year-old Italian Jasmine Paolini, meanwhile, achieved a career-high ranking of 44 last month. She has been gradually making her presence felt on the tour.
Last year, Paolini lifted her maiden WTA title at Portoroz and went on to end the season with a semifinal at Courmayeur and a quarterfinal at Linz.
After some early exits this year, the World No. 46 made it all the way to the last eight in Lyon earlier this month.
Paolini has carried that momentum into Indian Wells, where she raced to a 6-3, 6-2 win over Katie Boulter in the first round.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Jasmine Paolini head-to-head
Sabalenka and Paolini are tied 1-1 in the head-to-head. The Italian edged Sabalenka 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (2) at the Ilkley Trophy in 2017. The Belarusian turned the tables on the Italian in 2020 with a 6-4, 6-4 win en route to the title at Linz.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Jasmine Paolini prediction
By dint of her ranking and experience, Sabalenka should have the edge in this match. However, the Belarusian hasn't been at her best lately, meaning she is not an overwhelming favorite to come through.
Sabalenka has found it difficult to control her aggression, having racked up a high number of unforced errors in her matches this season. Her serve, too, has been very fragile.
If she cannot fix those aspects of her game, the World No. 3 could be in trouble against Paolini. With her counterpunching skills and speed around the court, the Italian could make life difficult for Sabalenka.
A blistering start from #Sabalenka who defeats #Halep 10-7 in the first round! 🚀
#TieBreakTens #EveryPointCounts https://t.co/yi4RFXQlXv
Paolini will look to engage the second seed in long rallies to force her into errors. But if Sabalenka is able to find her range right from the start, this match could be over in a flash.
Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka to win in two tight sets.