Wimbledon 2024: Aryna Sabalenka vs Emina Bektas preview, head-to-head, prediction and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (3) Aryna Sabalenka vs Emina Bektas
Date: July 1, 2024
Tournament: Wimbledon 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 128)
Venue: All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, England
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Grass
Prize Money: £50,000,000
Live Telecast: USA - ESPN, Tennis Channel | UK - BBC | Canada - TSN/RDS, ESPN International
Aryna Sabalenka vs Emina Bektas preview
Third seed Aryna Sabalenka will take on Emina Bektas in the first round of the Wimbledon Championships on Monday (July 1).
Sabalenka has made a splendid start to the season by amassing 30 wins from 39 matches, including a title-winning run in the Australian Open. She also secured runner-up finishes in Brisbane, Madrid and Rome, losing to Iga Swiatek in straight sets in the last two.
The Belarusian will enter Wimbledon on the back of quarterfinal appearances in the French Open and the German Open. She picked up a solid win against Daria Kastakina in Berlin, but was forced to retire mid-way through her match against Anna Kalinskaya due to shoulder pain. Almost a week later, Sabalenka has been cleared to compete in London.
Emina Bektas, meanwhile, has played most of her tennis on the ITF Challenger circuit this year. She suffered first-round exits in the ASB Classic, Australian Open and the 2024 French Open.
The American will enter Wimbledon on the back of a second-round defeat in the Libema Open. She outclassed Anna Blinkova in the first round, but couldn't get past Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second. The Russian defeated Bektas in one hour and 24 minutes, 7-5, 6-4. Following that, she couldn't cross the qualifying hurdle in Berlin.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Emina Bektas head-to-head
The head-to-head between Sabalenka and Bektas is poised at 0-0. The duo have never faced each other on the main tour.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Emina Bektas odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Emina Bektas prediction
Aryna Sabalenka has been among the top three players on the women's tour for the last couple of years. She showcased her intent earlier this season with a brilliant title defense in the Australian Open, but is yet to register a strong result since then. The 26-year-old is one of the most powerful hitters on tour and is known for her commanding presence on court.
Bektas, on the contrary, has showcased her potential with a title-triumph in the ITF W75 Kurume and a runner-up finish in the W75 Fukoka in 2024. She will be keen to adjust her game at the highest level and register strong results on tour. The American is only making her second appearance at the Wimbledon Championships this year.
Sabalenka will surely be the heavy favorite to come out on top in the first round. She was two wins away from winning the title last year and will be determined to go the distance this time around. The Belarusian shouldn't have too many problems passing this test against Bektas.
Pick: Sabalenka to win in straight sets.