Both players started their campaign in Riyadh with a win. Aryna Sabalenka dominated Jasmine Paolini to fly through in straight sets. As for Jessica Pegula, it was more of a scrap to eventually come through against Coco Gauff.
This matchup is one with plenty of intrigue attached to it. Sabalenka has the number over Pegula, despite Pegula winning the most recent encounter in Wuhan.
1u: Sabalenka -1.5 sets (-120)
I just don’t think Pegula has the play style to trouble Aryna Sabalenka and I’m expecting a fairly routine straight sets win.