WTA Rabat – Anastasija Sevastova vs Yasmine Kabbaj

WTA Rabat – Anastasija Sevastova vs Yasmine Kabbaj

🧠 Form & Context

Anastasija Sevastova
🧳 The former world No. 11 continues her comeback, currently ranked No. 543 and playing just her sixth tournament of 2025.
📈 Holds a perfect 3–0 clay record this year, including an impressive win over Pavlyuchenkova in Madrid and solid form shown in Koper.
🎾 Veteran presence with over 500 career wins—brings tactical savvy, disguised drop shots, and elite point construction.
🏟️ Played Rabat once before (2016, R1 exit), but returns with less pressure and strong baseline instincts on clay.
⚠️ Still shaking off rust—recent losses to Bronzetti and Shnaider show she’s not yet fully match-tight at WTA level.

Yasmine Kabbaj
🏠 Moroccan wildcard with rising local support, riding momentum from a semifinal run at the Bastad ITF.
🔥 Plays frequently on clay—16–13 record on the surface in 2025 and over 29 matches played already this year.
📈 Statistically competitive:
• 72% win rate when winning a set
• 44% win rate in third sets
But just 19% comeback wins, which reflects trouble when falling behind.
🧱 Still inexperienced at the WTA level—ranked No. 810 and looking for her first main-draw tour win.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is a classic *veteran vs wildcard* matchup. Sevastova has the craft, experience, and variety to dictate play, especially on a slower clay surface. Her ability to mix spins, create angles, and control tempo is well beyond what Kabbaj has routinely faced.

Kabbaj will bring energy and crowd support, but her ability to handle Sevastova’s shot variety and tactical shifts will be tested. Unless the Latvian is way off her game, the gap in quality should be decisive.

Kabbaj’s only chance lies in extending rallies and creating chaos with emotion and pace—but Sevastova thrives on taming that kind of disorder with precision.

🔮 Prediction

Sevastova is still getting match sharp, but her IQ and clay-court nous should be more than enough to overcome the young Moroccan’s enthusiasm.
🧩 Prediction: Anastasija Sevastova in 2 sets — using experience, variety, and angles to quiet the home crowd and advance comfortably.