Abu Dhabi Open 2023: Anett Kontaveit vs Shelby Rogers preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (7) Anett Kontaveit vs Shelby Rogers
Date: February 8, 2023.
Tournament: Abu Dhabi Open 2023.
Round: Second Round (Round of 16).
Venue: Zayed Sports City International Tennis Center, Abu Dhabi.
Category: WTA 500.
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt.
Prize money: $780,637.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video.
Anett Kontaveit vs Shelby Rogers
Seventh seed Anett Kontaveit will take on Shelby Rogers in the second round of the Abu Dhabi Open on Wednesday.
Kontaveit started the season at the Adelaide International 1 where she was the sixth seed. The Estonian lost 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(7) to Zheng Qinwen in the first round. She then competed at the Adelaide International 2 and suffered a 6-4, 6-3 defeat to Paula Badosa in the opening round.
Kontaveit entered the Australian Open as the 16th seed and reached the second round before losing 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to eventual semifinalist Magda Linette. The 27-year-old then competed at the Abu Dhabi Open and booked her place in the second round with a 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 win over Zhang Shuai.
Shelby Rogers started the 2023 season by qualifying for the main draw of the Adelaide International 1 but lost to Irina-Camelia Begu in the first round. The American then qualified for the main draw of the Adelaide International 2 but suffered another opening-round exit, this time against Zheng Qinwen.
Rogers then entered the Australian Open and reached the second round after defeating Arianne Hartono 6-4, 6-3. Here, she lost 6-3, 6-1 to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka.
The 30-year-old then entered the qualifiers for the Abu Dhabi Open and booked her place in the main draw. She qualified for the round of 16 by beating Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1.
Anett Kontaveit vs Shelby Rogers head-to-head
The head-to-head between the two is currently 1-1. Their last meeting came in the second round of the 2021 Australian Open, with Rogers winning 6-4, 6-3.
Anett Kontaveit vs Shelby Rogers odds
All odds are sourced from BETMGM.
Anett Kontaveit vs Shelby Rogers prediction
Kontaveit is the higher-ranked player and will enter the match as the favorite to win. However, Rogers should not be written off as she is capable of giving the Estonian a run for her money on her day.
Kontaveit was very strong on her first serve in her first-round match against Zhang Shuai, serving ten aces and winning 53 out of 76 points. She will look to attack from the start of the match and put Rogers under pressure. She has a wide range of shots available and will be eager to mix her groundstrokes with slices and drop-shots.
Rogers produced a brilliant service performance in her previous match, serving six aces and winning 46 out of 57 points. She also won 22 out of 32 points on her second serve. The American also employs an attacking style and will have to be at her best if she is to come out on top.
Kontaveit has not been in the best of form lately, but she should manage to get the better of Rogers and book her place in the quarterfinals.
Pick: Kontaveit to win in straight sets.