The only Grand Slam final that world number one Aryna Sabalenka has yet to make is Wimbledon and she will be determined to put an end to that this summer.
Sabalenka is a four-time Grand Slam champion, having twice won the Australian Open and the US Open as well as finishing runner-up at the French Open.
However, her six visits to Wimbledon have yielded three semi-final appearances and she has been beaten on every occasion including last year to Amanda Anisimova.
Sabalenka breezed past Teodora Kostovic 6-2 6-3 in her Wimbledon curtain-raiser and she will be expected to overcome the challenge of American McCartney Kessler, who has never gone beyond round two of a Grand Slam.
However, Kessler double-bagelled Oleksandra Oliynykova in round one at the All England Club and may not be completely outclassed by the tournament top seed.
Aryna Sabalenka v McCartney Kessler Tips Summary
Best Bet - Aryna Sabalenka to win & over 18.5 games @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Under 5.5 breaks of serve in the match @ 10/11
Bet Builder - Aryna Sabalenka to win 2-0, McCartney Kessler to win over 7.5 games & 5+ aces for Aryna Sabalenka @ 9/1
Aryna Sabalenka v McCartney Kessler Prediction
Best Bet: Aryna Sabalenka to win & over 18.5 games @ 10/11
Sabalenka’s last title success came in Miami in March and she will be determined to end the wait for silverware at Wimbledon, where her last three appearances saw her suffer semi-final defeats.
Sabalenka took part in just one grass-court preparation event, which came in Berlin where she lost in the last four to Jessica Pegula.
However, the world number one needed three sets to see off Nikola Bartunkova in the quarter-final and a last-eight exit to Diana Shnaider at the French Open prior to that suggests that she is a little way off her brilliant best.
Even a little undercooked, Sabalenka should possess too much power for Kessler, but her American opponent would have gained plenty of confidence from a 6-0 6-0 win over Oliynykova in her SW19 opener.
Kessler made the quarter-final at Eastbourne, beating Daria Kasatkina and Anhelina Kalinina before losing to Madison Keys, and she is playing well enough to stay competitive.
The American has won three titles on the WTA Tour, so is clearly capable, and her only meeting with Sabalenka saw her put up a fight in a 7-6 6-3 loss at Indian Wells last season.
Alternative Bet: Under 5.5 breaks of serve in the match @ 10/11
When Sabalenka defeated Kessler 7-6 6-3 at Indian Wells last season, there were only two breaks of serve and the pair may have to utilise their serve to good effect in this meeting.
Sabalenka faced only two break-point opportunities on serve against Kostovic in her opener and Kessler served impeccably in round one, not letting up a single break-point chance for Oliynykova.
Sabalenka should win, with a straight-sets victory likely, but Kessler will make it tough and won’t be easy to break.
Aryna Sabalenka v McCartney Kessler Bet Builder Tip
Aryna Sabalenka to win 2-0
McCartney Kessler to win over 7.5 games
5+ aces for Aryna Sabalenka
Pays 9/1
Sabalenka should win this 2-0, just as she did in round one and in her only previous meeting with Kessler.
However, Kessler should stay in the thick of both sets and is taken to win at least eight games. The American is serving super and won 6-0 6-0 in round one which should have given her plenty of belief.
Sabalenka may ultimately be too strong, though. The feeling is that the Belarusian is below her peak level right now but she has served 24 aces across her last three grass-court matches.
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Key Match Stats
Sabalenka has won eight of her last 10 matches on grass
Seven of Sabalenka’s last eight wins ended 2-0
Sabalenka was a 7-6 6-3 winner in her only previous meeting with Kessler
Only two of Kessler’s last 13 matches have gone to a deciding set
Four of Sabalenka’s last six matches on the grass went to a third and final set
Sabalenka has served 24 aces across her last three matches
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
