Stuttgart Open 2021: Aryna Sabalenka vs Zhang Shuai-Preview, Head to Head and Prediction for Porsche Tennis Grand Prix

Stuttgart Open 2021: Aryna Sabalenka vs Zhang Shuai-Preview, Head to Head and Prediction for Porsche Tennis Grand Prix

Aryna Sabalenka and Zhang Shuai

Aryna Sabalenka will take on Zhang Shuai in the First-round of the Stuttgart Open 2021. Sabalenka is currently the World no.7 on the WTA rankings and Shuai is the World no.40.

Match Details

  • Tournament: Stuttgart Open 2021
  • Match: Aryna Sabalenka vs Zhang Shuai
  • Round: First-round 
  • Date: 20th April, 2021
  • Prize Money: $ 7,960
  • Venue: Stuttgart, Germany 
  • Surface: Clay Court

Aryna Sabalenka vs Zhang Shuai: Match Preview

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka

Sabalenka has been in fantastic form this season. And has won three WTA Titles since the resumption of the tour. The WTA 500 Ostrava Open, the WTA 250 Linz Open and the first tournament of the year the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open. In the past, Sabalenka had struggled on clay, but last year she improved her record to 5-2 on clay.

She reached the Semi-final of the Strasbourg open, where she lost to Elina Svitolina. In the French Open she made it to the round of thirty-two. Her first round opponent here is Chinese player Zhang Shuai.

FS Video

Zhang has played very little this season, and is just about returning to the tour. In the clay court part of last season, she reached the Quarter-finals of the Strasbourg Open and then the round of sixteen of the French Open. 

YouTube video

Aryna Sabalenka vs Zhang Shuai: Head-to-Head

Zhang Shuai
Zhang Shuai

The two players have met twice on tour before, and each has won a match. So the head to head stands at 1-1. Their last encounter was in Hobart 2018, which Sabalenka won 7-6 6-4. 

Aryna Sabalenka vs Zhang Shuai: Prediction

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka

One constant criticism of Sabalenka’s game has been her one dimensional approach to tennis matches. Critics have pointed out that her slam bam approach has not worked against top players like Serena Williams, Garbine Muguruza, Ash Barty and she has struggled to find another way.

Shuai has not played enough since the Australian Open and is not in the best of forms either. Having said that, she did reach the round of sixteen in the French Open 2020. But, Sabalenka should win this easy. 

Match Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka will beat Zhang Shuai in straight sets. 

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