tennis | Wednesday, September 7, 2022 8:11 AM

Wednesday Tennis Best Bet: US Open Women, Aryna Sabalenka vs Karolina Pliskova

Jon Reid

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Karolina Pliskova Best Bet: Wednesday, September 7th

It was a tough start to the year for Karolina Pliskova, through injury at first, and then poor form for another few months through San Jose.

The last few weeks have been much better for the big-serving 30-year-old, and she needed it. After reaching the final in Canada last year and the quarters in New York City, Pliskova found her form just in time, reaching the semifinal in Toronto and defending her quarterfinal points at the U.S. Open.

She takes on Aryna Sabalenka in a quarterfinal match that could be a dandy. That’s the contest we’ll break down for our women’s selection on Wednesday.

In this article:

Aryna Sabalenka vs Karolina Pliskova Preview
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Karolina Pliskova Best Bet

Aryna Sabalenka vs Karolina Pliskova Preview

September 7th, 17:00 UK Time

While the Belarussian’s game can be incredibly inconsistent at times, and the double faults can come fast and furious, it must be said she’s found consistent success at the bigger events she’s played. A final in the 500-level event in Stuttgart, as well as a semifinal at the 1000 in Rome, the second week at the Australian Open and a semifinal in Cincinnati leading into this strong run in New York, Sabalenka is on the verge of taking that next step.

Pliskova has also done well on the biggest of stages, having gone deep at each and every major at some point in her career (semifinals at the Australian Open and French Open, while being a former finalist here and at Wimbledon).

In terms of the matchup, both these women possess a potent first serve that can earn them plenty of cheap points, and forehands capable of dictating play and finding winners.

While Sabalenka is the much better mover of the two, it’s Pliskova’s game that is more consistent, meaning this one is likely going to be decided by whoever is capable of playing within their style in a more effective manner.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Karolina Pliskova Best Bet

In situations like this, my best bet is often going to be to play the total games to go over.

Trying to figure out who’s going to be able to impose their game on the match can be a crapshoot, but with both capable of doing so – along with the fact that both are capable of holding serve consistently with powerful serve and forehand combinations – I’m more than happy to back the position that is most aligned with a close match that very well could see three sets.