Italian Open 2022: Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: (1) Iga Swiatek vs (3) Aryna Sabalenka.
Tournament: Italian Open 2022.
Date: 14 May 2022.
Round: Semifinals.
Venue: Rome, Italy.
Category: WTA 1000.
Surface: Clay.
Prize money: €2,527,250.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video.
Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka preview
Defending champion Iga Swiatek will look to return to the Italian Open final when she takes on third seed Aryna Sabalenka in their last-four clash on Saturday.
Swiatek is on a remarkable run this year, having claimed trophies in Doha, Indian Wells, Miami and Stuttgart. The 20-year-old has now set her sights on her fifth title of the season and second consecutive piece of silverware in Rome.
In her first couple of matches at the Italian Open this week, the World No. 1 conceded only eight games. On Friday, Swiatek came prepared for a tussle with the 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu in their first-ever tour-level meeting.
After weathering the storm in the first set, the Pole raced through the second to record a 7-6(2), 6-0 win. The result extended her winning streak to 26 matches, equaling Victoria Azarenka tally in 2012.
9 - Iga #Swiatek is only the third player in 2000s to win her first nine matches as the number 1 in the world, after Justine Henin in 2004 and Victoria Azarenka in 2012. Worthy.
#IBI22 @WTA @WTA_insider https://t.co/4xGko6Eoaa
Having recorded her ninth successive win in the Italian capital, Swiatek will be eager to get back to the final for a chance to lift the trophy again.
World No. 8 Aryna Sabalenka, meanwhile, has turned her fortunes around this week after struggling for most of the season. Before coming to Rome, her only noteworthy performance of the year was in Stuttgart, where she finished as the runner-up after losing to Swiatek.
Three weeks after that meeting, the two will face off for the second time this clay season.
The Belarusian will hope to produce a better account of herself this time around after notching up some confidence-boosting wins this week. After blazing through her first two matches, dropping just seven games, Sabalenka faced a stiff test in the quarterfinals in the form of Amanda Anisimova.
The 24-year-old had lost to Anisimova in each of their four previous meetings, including two in the ongoing clay swing.
Relief in Rome 🙌
@SabalenkaA recovers from a set down to notch a first win over Anisimova and reach the #IBI22 last four!
Awaits the winner of Swiatek-Andreescu 👀 https://t.co/X4xyUsIRMh
Anisimova even claimed the first set of their Rome encounter on Friday but Sabalenka was able to storm back into the match for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win. The performance will stand her in good stead ahead of what will be a tough matchup against Swiatek.
Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka head-to-head
Swiatek leads Sabalenka 2-1 in the head-to-head. They have faced off twice this year, with the Pole recording pretty straightforward wins on both occasions. While the World No. 1 earned a 6-2, 6-3 win in the Qatar Open quarterfinals, she pummeled the Belarusian 6-2, 6-2 in the Stuttgart summit clash.
Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka prediction
The key for Sabalenka against the nearly invincible Swiatek is to serve well and keep her unforced errors in check.
Against Anisimova, she coughed up eight double faults and dropped her serve five times. But the fact that Sabalenka was able to control her aggression from the second set onwards, despite a poor start, will give her confidence ahead of her meeting with Swiatek.
Sabalenka needs to paint the lines regularly to keep the Pole on the backfoot. However, doing so on a consistent basis against Swiatek is a massive challenge.
The Pole is an excellent mover and doesn't hesitate to mix up her game when needed. Although her serve can go off the boil at times, Swiatek's depth, variety and winning mindset gives her the edge against Sabalenka.
Prediction: Iga Swiatek to win in straight sets.