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Belinda Bencic vs Sonay Kartal Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Bencic tasked with tough opener in title defence
Belinda Bencic, a two-time Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open champion, is set to face Sonay Kartal in the second round. Bencic boasts a perfect 9-0 record in Abu Dhabi, despite an unexpected second round exit at the Australian Open. Kartal enters the match in good form after reaching notable performances in Auckland and pushing top players like Elina Svitolina. While Bencic's record suggests she has the edge, Kartal's tenacity could make this an exciting and competitive match. Over 20.5 games is a possible outlook, with Bencic likely prevailing in three sets.
- Belinda Bencic vs Sonay Kartal predictions for Wednesday's WTA Abu Dhabi Round 2
- Bencic is a perfect 9-0 in Abu Dhabi, winning titles in 2023 and 2025
- Kartal in good form - has seen Over 20.5 games in four of last five vs top 20
- The match is scheduled to start around 12.00am AEDT on Thursday February 5
Expired
Belinda Bencic (Photo by Getty Images)
Belinda Bencic vs Sonay Kartal Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Belinda Bencic begins her pursuit of a third Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open title when she comes up against an in-form Sonay Kartal in the second round on Wednesday.
Bencic has put together a perfect 9-0 record in Abu Dhabi, winning the title in 2023 and again last year. The Swiss exploded out of the blocks with some brilliant tennis to launch 2026, leading Switzerland to the United Cup final with some impressive victories over the likes of Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini - but she would have been extremely disappointed with a second round Australian Open exit. Meanwhile, Kartal has also enjoyed a solid start to the season, making the Auckland quarter-finals and pushing eventual champion Elina Svitolina all the way.
Kartal also won her last match with a top 10 player when she toppled Mirra Andreeva in Beijing late last year. The Brit knows she belongs at this level and with Bencic maybe a bit nervous and/or rusty after her Australian Open elimination, I think she can make this match competitive - hence Over 20.5 games appeals. However, you can't ignore Bencic's perfect record in Abu Dhabi and her form for most of January. Bencic in three offers the value.
Bencic vs Kartal Stats & Trends
- Bencic has won all nine previous matches in Abu Dhabi, winning two titles
- Seven of those nine matches produced Over 20.5 games
- Bencic is 6-1 to start 2026
- Kartal has seen Over 20.5 games in five of her last eight matches
- Kartal has seen Over 20.5 games in four of her last five matches vs top 20 players
- Bencic is 22-1 in her last 23 completed matches vs players outside the top 60
Bencic vs Kartal Head To Head
This will be the first career meeting between the pair.
Belinda Bencic Form Analysis
- 2026 Record: 6-1
- WTA Abu Dhabi Record: 9-0
- Current Ranking: No. 9
- Career-High Ranking: No. 4 (2020)
It's been an incredible comeback from maternity leave for Bencic, who has surged back into the top 10 following a productive January.
Bencic was the form player of the United Cup, winning all five of her singles matches and four mixed doubles outings as she led Switzerland to the final.
The likes of Iga Swiatek, Elise Mertens and Jasmine Paolini were among Bencic's scalps during the opening tournament of the season.
However, Bencic couldn't keep that momentum going at the Australian Open. After a straight sets first round win over Katie Boulter, the 28-year-old suffered one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, going down in three sets to teenage qualifier Nikola Bartunkova, who was ranked No. 126.
That was Bencic's first loss in a completed match to a player outside the top 60 since 2023.
Sonay Kartal Form Analysis
- 2026 Record: 3-2
- WTA Abu Dhabi Record: 1-1
- Current Ranking: No. 61
- Career-High Ranking: No. 44 (July 2025)
Kartal broke into the world's top 50 for the first time after a magical run to the fourth round of Wimbledon last year.
The Brit has continued playing some good tennis, despite dropping slightly in the rankings.
Indeed, Kartal upset Mirra Andreeva on her way to the WTA 1000 China Open quarter-finals in Beijing towards the end of last year, while she was one game away from beating Elina Svitolina in the Auckland quarter-finals to launch 2026.
The 24-year-old went down to Anna Kalinskaya in the first round of the Australian Open, but has responded strongly in Abu Dhabi, winning three matches in straight sets from qualifying.
Kartal moved past Yuliia Starodubtseva and Aliaksandra Sasnovich to make the main draw before toppling Cristina Bucsa 6-3 7-6 in the first round, saving three set points in the second set.
Bencic vs Kartal Live Stream
Watch and bet on Belinda Bencic vs Sonay Kartal live tennis from Abu Dhabi.
You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > WTA Abu Dhabi with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.
Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.
Verdict
Kartal is in good form and troubled top players lately - she can push this Over 20.5 games, but Bencic's perfect record in Abu Dhabi needs to be respected.
Over 20.5
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