Elena Rybakina vs Katie Volynets Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Rybakina to cruise into Abu Dhabi quarter-finals

Rybakina is backed to register a convincing victory in her opening match after receiving a bye in the first round. Volynets arrived in Abu Dhabi having lost in the first round in six of her last nine tournaments - and although she's managed to quality and win a round here, this is a massive step up in class. Rybakina demolished Volynets for the loss of just four games in their only previous meeting and that was on the World No. 5's worst surface. Assuming Rybakina is injury-free and her coaching situation isn't causing her too much distress, she should be winning this clash with minimal fuss.

As mentioned, Rybakina won their only previous encounter - a 6-4 6-0 beatdown at the 2022 French Open.

It's been a solid start to the season for Rybakina if you consider the physical problems that have ailed her since Wimbledon last year.

Rybakina compiled a 3-1 record at the United Cup before going on to make the fourth round of the Australian Open, where she went down in three sets to eventual champion Madison Keys.

The 25-year-old traditionally starts seasons well - in 2024 she registered a 40-8 record in the first seven months of the year, winning titles in Brisbane, Stuttgart and Abu Dhabi, along with reaching finals in Doha and Miami.

Rybakina has never lost before the quarter-finals on three previous visits to Abu Dhabi, including winning the title with a victory over Daria Kasatkina in last year's final.

Volynets has done a good job of gradually improving her ranking, coming into this tournament at No. 63 in the world after doing well at a couple of WTA 125k tournaments, winning the title in Makarska and making the semi-finals in Mumbai.

The American started the season in solid fashion, reaching the quarter-finals of Auckland, but she would have been disappointed with opening round exits at Hobart to Dayana Yastremska and the Australian Open to Rebecca Sramkova.

Volynets already has three matches under her belt in Abu Dhabi after qualifying for the main draw with straight set wins over Heather Watson and Daria Saville before upstaging Sonay Kartal in three sets in the opening round.