Stuttgart 2024: Aryna Sabalenka vs Marketa Vondrousova preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick | Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
Match details
Fixture: (2) Aryna Sabalenka vs (6) Marketa Vondrousova
Date: April 19, 2024
Tournament: Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
Round: Quarterfinal
Venue: Porsche Arena, Stuttgart, Germany
Category: WTA 500
Surface: Clay (indoor)
Prize Money: $922,573
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports
Aryna Sabalenka vs Marketa Vondrousova preview
Top-10 players Aryna Sabalenka and Marketa Vondrousova square off in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix on Friday.
Sabalenka received a bye into the second round, where she faced her good friend Paula Badosa. The Belarusian overcame a break deficit in the first set to remain on level terms with her opponent.
Sabalenka then saved a couple of set points and forced a tie-break, in which she outplayed Badosa to take the set. She was on the backfoot right off the bat in the second set as she lost her serve in the very first game.
Badosa struck once more to go 5-2 up but Sabalenka stopped her from serving out the set as she nabbed a couple of games. However, the Spaniard got the job done on her next try.
The momentum was on Badosa's side as she surged to a 3-1 lead but Sabalenka managed to level the score. The Spaniard threw in the towel due to an injury and retired after that, which sent the World No. 2 into the next round.
Vondrousova scored a 6-4, 6-3 win over Donna Vekic to set up a second-round date against Anastasia Potapova. The Czech snagged the first break of the match to go 3-2 up in the opening set.
However, Potapova broke back immediately to remain on even footing. The two remained steady on serve for rest of the set. Vondrousova gained the upper hand in the ensuing tie-break to snatch the set. She carried the momentum into the second set and lost just one game in it for a 7-6 (5), 6-1 win.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Marketa Vondrousova head-to-head
Sabalenka leads Vondrousova 4-2 in the head-to-head. The Belarusian won their most recent encounter at the 2023 Adelaide International in straight sets.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Marketa Vondrousova odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Aryna Sabalenka vs Marketa Vondrousova prediction
Sabalenka wasn't pleased with the manner of her win, which unfortunately came at the expense of Badosa's health. The Belarusian's level was quite decent and she hit a total of 40 winners against 37 unforced errors.
Vondrousova ran away with the match after she claimed a close first set against Potapova in the previous round. She has now reached her first quarterfinal on clay since the 2020 Italian Open.
Sabalenka lost her first couple of matches against Vondrousova but turned the rivalry on its head and has won their last four encounters. However, her form is quite shaky these days.
The Sabalenka who romped to the Australian Open title a few months ago without losing a set is nowhere to be seen. Still, she does seem to have Vondrousova figured out and has reached the final in Stuttgart the last three years. It could be yet another battle for the Belarusian but she has good odds to emerge as the last woman standing.
Pick: Aryna Sabalenka to win in three sets.