🎾 WTA Stuttgart: Aryna Sabalenka vs Jasmine Paolini – Semifinal

🎾 WTA Stuttgart: Aryna Sabalenka vs Jasmine Paolini – Semifinal Preview

🧠 Form & Context

🇧🇾 Aryna Sabalenka

• Late arrival, fast impact: Sabalenka played her first match on Saturday due to a bye, Potapova’s walkover, and a Good Friday rest day—but she hit the ground running.
• Stuttgart frustration: A three-time finalist (2021–23) who’s still searching for her first title here, having lost to Ash Barty and Iga Swiatek in past attempts.
• 2025 momentum: Already reached four finals this season—winning Brisbane and Miami, while finishing runner-up at the Australian Open and Indian Wells.
• Opener statement: Dismissed Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-1 with powerful serving and relentless baseline pressure.
• No. 1 armor: Successfully defended her top ranking all season—and now has a golden chance to lift the Porsche with Swiatek out of the draw.

🇮🇹 Jasmine Paolini

• Back-to-back semis: Following up her Miami breakthrough, Paolini is now into a second straight WTA semifinal—this time on her favorite surface.
• Home-wrecker: Knocked out German hopefuls Eva Lys and Jule Niemeier before upsetting No. 3 seed Coco Gauff in straight sets.
• Form revival: After a shaky January, she’s rediscovered the calm and precision that carried her to major finals at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon last season.
• Comeback queen: Came from 2-4 down to win 10 of the last 13 games vs Gauff, showing mental toughness and clay-court savvy.
• Smooth transition: She’s yet to drop a set in Stuttgart, and her movement and tactical variety are once again flourishing on clay.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Sabalenka is no stranger to this stage in Stuttgart, but this time she faces an opponent with less pressure and much to gain. The Belarusian has been in control all week, even with a delayed start, and her ability to hit through indoor clay remains a massive weapon.

Paolini, however, thrives when she’s the underdog. Her agility, rally construction, and use of spin make her a nightmare for flat hitters like Sabalenka—especially if she can extend points and draw unforced errors. She’ll need to take chances early in rallies and test Sabalenka’s lateral movement.

This is their first clay-court meeting, and while Paolini has the surface edge in theory, Sabalenka’s Stuttgart resume and raw power make her the favorite. The key will be how well Sabalenka manages the scoreboard pressure if Paolini hangs around early.

🔮 Prediction

Pick: Aryna Sabalenka in 2 sets

It won’t be a cruise—Paolini will push, especially in longer rallies—but Sabalenka’s firepower, sharper focus, and hunger to finally win in Stuttgart should see her through.