Maria Sakkari vs Kamilla Rakhimova

WTA Cincinnati – 1R: Maria Sakkari vs Kamilla Rakhimova

🧠 Form & Context

Maria Sakkari

• 🔄 Recent revival signs: Beat world No. 11 Navarro and Katie Boulter in Washington for her second QF of 2025.
• 📉 Inconsistent season: Only three instances of back-to-back wins this year.
• 🚫 Montreal setback: Lost to Pegula in R2 after a tough three-setter vs Branstine in R1.
• 💡 Ranking pressure: Washington wins kept her from slipping out of the top 100.
• 📜 Cincinnati history: QF in 2019, R16 in 2023, otherwise early exits.
• 📊 H2H edge: Leads 1–0 vs Rakhimova (2020 Roland-Garros).

Kamilla Rakhimova

• 📈 Busy and productive summer: Qualified for both Montreal and Cincinnati main draws.
• 💪 Recent wins: Beat Burrage & Marino in qualifying here, both in three sets.
• 🌱 Grass-court boost: QF in Eastbourne, R3 at Wimbledon.
• ⚠️ Hard-court struggles: 8–11 W-L on hard in 2025, with a tendency to fade in long matches.
• 🎯 Cincinnati debut: Failed in qualifying last year, now into the main draw for the first time.

🔍 Match Breakdown

• Game style match-up: Sakkari’s athleticism and heavy topspin forehand should allow her to control rallies against Rakhimova’s steadier but less penetrating baseline style.
• Serve dynamics: Sakkari’s first serve offers free points; Rakhimova’s placement-based serve may struggle under sustained pressure.
• Form context: Rakhimova is match-tough from qualifying, but Sakkari’s peak level, as shown in Washington, should be too strong.
• Likely pattern: Sakkari to test Rakhimova’s movement with deep crosscourt exchanges before finishing with line changes; Rakhimova will look to elongate rallies and induce errors, especially if Sakkari’s forehand misfires.
• Mental edge: Sakkari’s previous H2H win and confidence from her Washington run give her an advantage in key moments.

🔮 Prediction

Sakkari’s 2025 season has been inconsistent, but her Washington form showed she can handle players outside the top 50 with relative comfort. Rakhimova’s qualifying rhythm could keep one set close, yet Sakkari’s superior baseline power and fitness should secure the win.

Prediction: Sakkari in straight sets, with one tight set possible if Rakhimova maintains depth and consistency.