As we approach the business end of the WTA Stuttgart Open 2021, World No. 3 Simona Halep will take on the fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinal today. In the other semifinal, World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty is scheduled to face Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina. The winners of the semifinal will face each other in the final, which will take place on Sunday.

Simona Halep vs Aryna Sabalenka: Preview

The second-seeded Simona Halep is putting her best skills forward at this clay-court event. The 29-year-old player has not played much tennis in the current season and her performance in Germany this week will surely give her the momentum moving into the season. 

The Romanian athlete lost in the quarterfinal of the Australian Open, which, according to her standards, is an ordinary outcome. Halep is now two wins away from lifting her first title of the season. To get to the semifinal, Simona won her last two matches at the tournament in straight sets. 

On the other hand, Aryna Sabalenka has had a positive start to her season. She has earned a career-high ranking of World No. 7 and resumed her season this year on a nine-match winning streak. Prior to the Australian Open, she claimed the WTA Abu Dhabi Open 2021 title. 

Aryna has made the quarterfinals in the last two tournaments in Miami and Dubai. Now that she’s into the semifinal in Stuttgart, the Belarusian athlete will aim to go for the ultimate prize. Although, she will have to overcome the obstacle in Simona. 

Halep vs Sabalenka: Head-to-Head

Previously, these two athletes have come across each other on four occasions. With three wins and one loss, the Romanian player leads the tie. Interestingly, they have played all their matches on hard courts, which means that today will be their first encounter on a clay court. 

The last time they played with each other was in Dubai last year. The match went in favor of the Romanian star and ended after three close-fought sets. 

Halep vs Sabalenka: Prediction 

Although it will be an exciting contest, Simona will be the favorite to come on top of this battle. Having won the French Open in the past, she will be familiar with conditions on a clay court. Nonetheless, she has sailed smoothly until her route to the semifinal. Aryna has beaten Halep in the past and will reflect on that win to seek the required motivation to go past this test. 

Prediction: Halep to win in three sets. 

Also Read: WTA Stuttgart Open 2021 Semifinal: Ashleigh Barty vs Elina Svitolina Preview, Head-to-Head & Prediction