Svitolina vs Kartal Prediction 9 January 2026
🔊 Will Elina Svitolina conquer another British contender, Sonay Kartal? Let's recall that she dispatched Katie Boulter in the Auckland WTA Round of 16. This match holds significant importance for both athletes: for Svitolina, it's a chance to edge closer to the top ten in the world rankings, and for Kartal, it's an opportunity to make her mark on the international stage. Both players delivered similar performances on hard courts last season. Who will emerge stronger this time? We'll provide an insightful prediction in our analysis.
Head-to-Head
📊 The tennis players are set to face each other for only the second time in their careers. Their first encounter took place last year on clay, where Svitolina dominated the British player, winning in straight sets with an eight-game margin.
Elina Svitolina Player Overview
Elina Svitolina is showing impressive form in Auckland, advancing through two rounds without dropping a set and conceding just 14 games. In the round of 16, she defeated Katie Boulter 7-5, 6-4. Out of her last ten matches, the Ukrainian has secured six victories, achieving a 60% win rate with an average of 19.7 games per match. Elina effectively utilizes her first serve, boasting a 58% success rate, and skillfully navigates break points with a 42% conversion rate. However, double faults remain a weakness, occurring at a rate of 6% over the span of these 10 matches.
Match Results: Elina Svitolina
Sonay Kartal Player Overview
Sonay Kartal is slightly less in form compared to her Ukrainian counterpart, but she has secured three victories over her last five matches. In Auckland, things haven't been entirely smooth for the Brit: she wrapped up her first match in three sets with a tiebreak in one of them, but showed more confidence in her latest outing, defeating Ella Seidel (6-3, 6-1). With a high first serve percentage of 73%, Sonay remains a threat from the baseline. However, last season Kartal was not particularly consistent on hard courts, achieving only 12 wins out of 22 matches.
Match Results: Sonay Kartal
⭐ Editorial Prediction
Elina Svitolina and Sonay Kartal approach this quarterfinal with differing ambitions and form. The Ukrainian is showcasing exceptional play in Auckland, dropping minimal sets and games, while the British player alternates between hard-fought matches and easy victories. Last season's hard court statistics also favor Svitolina (63.64% success rate compared to 54.55%). Elina, a former world number three, brings more experience and consistency. Last year, she dismantled Kartal on clay, conceding just four games, despite clay not being her preferred surface. We believe the upcoming encounter will also see the Ukrainian athlete finish swiftly. Our prediction: total games under 21.5.
Betting Tips: Elina Svitolina - Sonay Kartal
.svg)
Other predictions
