Match the details
Fixtures: (6) Elena Rybakina vs (9) Paula Badosa
Date: February 19, 2025
Tournament: Dubai Tennis Championship 2025
Round: Third round (16 rounds)
Venue: Aviation Club Tennis Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Hard
Prize: $3,654,963
Live Telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Sky Sports | Canada – TSN, TVA
Elena Rybakina vs Paula Badosa Preview
Sixth seed Elena Rivakina will face ninth seed Polabadosa in the third round (16th round) of the 2025 Dubai Tennis Championship on Wednesday, February 19th.
Rybakina had a mixed season last year marked both in court success and controversy over her coach Stefano Vukov. The controversy has been carried over in 2025, but she is confident too.
Kazakh began the season strongly at the Australian Open, where she got on track to win her second Grand Slam title. However, she was defeated in the fourth round by ultimate champion Madison Keys. She then arrived in the semi-finals at the Abu Dhabi Open, where she was defeated by Belinda Bensik, then placed in the quarter-finals at the Qatar Open, falling to Iga Swaitek.
She then headed to Dubai where she received goodbye from the first round and began running in the second round. She faced the island just after a memorable victory over Doha runner-up Jelena Ostapenko. The match was competitive, but Rivakina ultimately won 6-3, 6-2.
Meanwhile, Paula Badosa enjoyed an impressive season last year after returning from an injury break. She had fallen outside the top 100, but soon returned to the top 10.
Badosa began the 2025 season at Brisbane International, but faced an exit for the opening round, followed by another early defeat at Adelaide International. However, she showed her incredible skills at the Australian Open, reaching her first major semi-finals before losing to her best friend Alina Sabalenka.
The Spaniards then experienced consecutive early exits at the Abu Dhabi and the Qatar Open before they reached Dubai. There, she defeated Lulu San 6-3, 6-4, then overwhelmed Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-1, setting up a showdown with Elena Rivakina.
Elena Rybakina vs Paula Badosa head to head
Rybakina and Badosa are well measured against each other on the WTA tour, in 7 face-to-face times, with the Spaniard having a narrow 4-3 advantage.
Badosa won a meetup at 2018 Moscow International, 2021 Cincinnati Open, 2022 Stuttgart Open, and that same year at Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Meanwhile, Rivakina won at the 2019 Bucharest Open and the 2023 Indian Wells and Miami Open.
Elena Rivakina vs. Paula Badosa odds
(Odds will be updated if possible)
Prediction of Elena Rivakina vs. Paula Badosa
The third round clash between Elena Rivakina and Paula Badosa at the 2025 Dubai Tennis Championship on Wednesday (February 19th) promises to be thrilling.
Rivakina has been one of the most dominant players on the hard court in recent years. With her vibrant serves and crisp, flat ground strokes, she thrives by dictating the play and shortening the points. Her ability to create easy power makes her a tough opponent in any fast way.
Meanwhile, Badosa has suffered from injuries and contradictions over the past year. She is a strong baseliner with solid defensive skills, but she doesn’t have the same level of firepower as her opponent. She is more comfortable in longer meetings, but that may not be enough for someone who can overwhelm her from the start.
If Kazakhs are well served and remain aggressive, she will take control. The best chance for the Spaniards is to extend the rally and force errors, but given his recent form and hardcourt pedigree, Elena Rivakina is likely to be at the top.
Pick: Rybakina to win in 3 sets.
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Edited by Pritha Ghosh
