WTA Cincinnati Day 5 Predictions Including Aryna Sabalenka vs Emma Raducanu

The double bagel final at Wimbledon could have left Amanda Anisimova with serious scar tissue, but it doesn’t seem like it so far. The American bounced back with two wins in Montreal and looked in decent form before losing to Elina Svitolina. It was the same opponent that took out Anna Kalinskaya a round earlier with the Russian playing well since the North American swing began. Seems like on average Anisimova just produces more pace and topspin off the ground, which could allow her to push Kalinskaya behind the baseline.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3

Elena Rybakina vs Elise Mertens

Head-to-head: Rybakina 5-1

On the one hand, Elena Rybakina should be pleased with her form on the hard courts so far, reaching semifinals both in Washington and in Montreal. But these matches against Leylah Fernandez and Victoria Mboko were so winnable, representing the issues she’s had in holding up under pressure this year. The opener here against Renata Zarazua could have been cleaner as well, but it’s tough to pick against Rybakina as she dominated the last four meetings with Elise Mertens.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3

Aryna Sabalenka vs Emma Raducanu

Head-to-head: Sabalenka 2-0

Aryna Sabalenka survived a banana skin in her first match since Wimbledon, avenging two fairly recent losses to Marketa Vondrousova. That should help her settle into this tournament and she’ll have to be ready for further challenges even here. Emma Raducanu has been sharp this North American hard-court swing and has just added Francisco Roig to her team. But Sabalenka typically overwhelms her with the weight of shot she produces and should be able to do it again.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2