Stuttgart Open: Sabalenka vs Potapova Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Stuttgart Open semifinal match featuring Aryna Sabalenka vs Anastasia Potapova on Saturday, April 22, 2023.

Sabalenka vs Potapova Match Preview and Prediction

Second seed Aryna Sabalenka faces a major test against one of the WTA’s fast-rising stars Anastasia Potapova. Who will advance into the Stuttgart Open final?

Aryna Sabalenka needed to show her steely resolve and resilience to book her spot in the quarterfinal of the Stuttgart Open at the expense of her good friend Paula Badosa. The Spaniard, who entered this tournament with a wild card, led 6-4, 4-2, but with the end in sight, she could not weather through the storm as Sabalenka clawed her way back winning four straight games to level the match. The third set was helter-skelter with each player dropping serve at least twice, before Sabalenka sealed the decisive break to clinch the win in the 10th game.

Anastasia Potapova recorded another win over a top 10 player at the Stuttgart Open, coming from a set down to beat Caroline Garcia 4-6 6-3 6-3. The win continues the remarkable rise of the 22-year-old who has now won 16 matches and has reached her first WTA 500 semifinal. Let’s see if she can continue her giant-killing run by taking down the second seed Aryna Sabalenka.

Sabalenka vs Potapova Prediction and Pick

Aryna Sabalenka and Anastasia Potapova have not played each other on the WTA Tour, with Saturday’s semifinal at the Stuttgart Open being their first meeting. Potapova is such a courageous player who is unfazed by how higher-ranked her opponent is. We’ve seen just how good she is at turning defense into attack with her clever movement and wonderful racket head acceleration. But Sabalenka will be all over the Potapova second serve here. Garcia was standing a half yard inside the baseline and you suspect the Belarusian would resort to the same tactics and make her opportunities count. I also expect Sabalenka to serve much better than she did against Badosa. The second seed is primed to reach her third final in this tournament.