Elena Rybakina vs Sofia Kenin Prediction 2/20/25 Dubai Tennis Picks

Elena Rybakina and Sofia Kenin meet in the quarterfinal of the 2025 WTA Dubai Tennis Championships on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Here’s our Elena Rybakina vs Sofia Kenin prediction. This preview will also include an Elena Rybakina vs Sofia Kenin pick.

Elena Rybakina Preview

Elena Rybakina came through a marathon match against Paula Badosa. The sixth seed prevailed 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 in almost three hours of nerve-shredding drama.

Rybakina saved six match points to make the Dubai quarterfinals for the second year in a row.

In the victory, Rybakina hit 46 winners and 47 unforced errors. That included 10 aces and eight double faults. Rybakina landed 64% of first serves in play and won 68% of first serve points (59/87).

Rybakina won 44% of second serve points (22/50) and saved 12 of 17 break points in the match.

The former Wimbledon champion tallied 41% of return points (48/118) and broke Badosa’s serve four times.

Sofia Kenin Preview

Sofia Kenin arrived at this year’s Dubai Championships without a main draw win in her last four visits to the city.

But the American has notched three unlikely wins including a massive upset against defending champion Jasmine Paolini.

The match took 16 games to decide and lasted 63 minutes. In the victory, Kenin hammered 25 winners and 15 unforced errors.

The former Australian Open champion landed 61% of first serves in play and won 84% of first serve points (26/31).

Kenin won 70% of second serve points (7/10) and did not face a break point in the match. The wild card tallied 51% of return points (27/53) and converted four of seven break points.

This is Kenin’s first WTA 1000 quarterfinal since 2023. 

Elena Rybakina vs Sofia Kenin Head-To-Head

• Rybakina and Kenin have met twice on the WTA Tour.

• Rybakina won both meetings on outdoor hard courts including at the 2020 Dubai Championships.

Elena Rybakina vs Sofia Kenin Prediction

I’m all over the Kenin set handicap here, there is a real possibility she’ll snag at least a set although I don’t think she’ll win. Kenin is having one of those out-of-nowhere purple patches and tends to be very competitive in this mood. Rybakina can be impatient when rushed or has to play an opponent that counterpunches to insanity. Extended rallies could be problematic for Kazakhstani if she doesn’t find her serve and she’ll be heavy-legged after that near three-hour epic win on Wednesday. Kenin’s resilience is becoming quite an asset this week. Give me Kenin on the sets spread.