Toronto Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka vs Zhang Shuai
11:00 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Aryna Sabalenka -1429 / Zhang Shuai +750
Aryna Sabalenka faces Zhang Shuai in the third round of the National Bank Open in Toronto. The match is scheduled for Thursday, August 6th. This will be their fifth meeting at the WTA level, with Sabalenka holding a 4-0 lead over the Chinese veteran. Here’s our Aryna Sabalenka vs Zhang Shuai prediction. This preview will include an Aryna Sabalenka vs Zhang Shuai pick.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Zhang Shuai Preview
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Moyuka Uchijima in straight sets to begin her National Bank Open campaign this week. In her first match since losing to Naomi Osaka at Wimbledon, Sabalenka overcame an early wobble to ease past Uchijima 6-3, 6-3 in an hour and 23 minutes. In the victory, Sabalenka hit 4 aces and committed 6 double faults. Sabalenka landed 59% of first serves in play and won 74% of first serve points (26/35). Sabalenka won 42% of second serve points (10/24) and saved three of six break points in the match.
Sabalenka improves to 37-6 for the season. She’s still searching for her first title since sweeping the Sunshine Double in late March. Sabalenka has reached the semifinals at the National Bank Open in the past, and that remains her best result at this event.
Zhang Shuai earned a retirement win over Jelena Ostapenko to reach the third round of the National Bank Open for the first time at age 37. Zhang beat Yulia Putintseva in straight sets in her opening match, and dominated Ostapenko in the second round before the Latvian was forced to retire due to physical difficulties in the match. Zhang is now 20-22 for the season at all levels. She improves to 10-9 on hard courts. Her best result this season was on hard courts, reaching the semifinals of the Merida Open as a qualifier.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Zhang Shuai Head-To-Head
Sabalenka and Zhang have played four times at the WTA level. Sabalenka has won every meeting in straight sets. However, they haven’t met since the 2022 Cincinnati Open. Zhang has beaten Sabalenka once at the ITF level and that was a decade ago.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Zhang Shuai Prediction
Zhang has defied the odds in the last two rounds, picking a rare win over Putintseva, who had dominated their head-to-head, and was outplaying Ostapenko before the Latvian retired due to injury. But this would be the shock of the tournament should she upstage Sabalenka at the National Bank Open. I don’t expect it to happen. Sabalenka is clearly miles above Zhang in power, placement and shot execution, and the Belarusian produced a convincing performance in her opening match.