Bencic vs Kartal Prediction 4 February 2026
🔊 Can top seed Belinda Bencic assert her status as the favorite at the WTA 500 in Abu Dhabi? In the round of 16, she faces Sonay Kartal. This match holds significant importance for both players: for Bencic, it's a chance to bounce back after an early exit from the Australian Open, while for Kartal, it's an opportunity to solidify her place in the world's top 60 rankings. Let's delve into our prediction to see who will edge closer to their goal.
Head-to-Head
❓This is the first time these tennis players have met.
Head-to-head statistics Bencic - Kartal
Belinda Bencic Player Overview
Belinda Bencic was in superb form heading into the Grand Slam in Melbourne, riding a six-match winning streak. However, at the Australian Open, the Swiss was knocked out in the second round by Nikola Bartunkova. Despite this setback, her hard-court stats remain impressive: a high first serve success rate of 67% allows her to win 59% of her service games. This season, Bencic has already defeated top-10 WTA players Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini. Therefore, her top seed in Abu Dhabi comes as no surprise.
Match Results: Belinda Bencic
Sonay Kartal Player Overview
Sonay Kartal has bounced back after two consecutive defeats in the quarterfinals of the WTA 250 Auckland and the first round of the Australian Open by winning her last three matches in Abu Dhabi. Her recent victory over the world No. 52 Kristina Bucsi ended with a 6-3, 7-6 scoreline, highlighting her competitiveness against higher-ranked opponents. The British player's strength lies in her effective first serve, with a 68% success rate, and her consistency during long rallies. However, her primary weakness remains her sometimes inconsistent serve defense.
Match Results: Sonay Kartal
Prediction on the outcome
- Belinda Bencic won with a -1.5 games handicap in 6 of last 7 matches.
Prediction on the over/under
- Sonay Kartal has won over 11.5 games in 8 of last 9 matches.
⭐ Editor's Prediction
Despite her recent loss to Nikola Bartunkova, Bencic remains the favorite due to her consistent performance on hard courts. Her dominance is backed by a high first-serve percentage and aggressive play. In this regard, Kartal's resilience in long rallies doesn't seem to be her strong suit, especially on fast surfaces. Considering the Brit's vulnerability in defending her serves, there are even more doubts about her competitiveness against the world's No. 9. Our prediction: Bencic to win with a handicap of (-1.5).
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