Elena Rybakina vs Paula Badosa Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Badosa good value in Dubai R16 showdown

It's a top 10 showdown for a place in the quarter-finals and I think this could be a closely fought contest. Six of the seven meetings between these two players have featured either a tiebreak or deciding set (or both), so there's nothing really separating the pair, with Badosa leading the H2H 4-3. The Spaniard has recaptured her best tennis over the last few months and is coming off a maiden Grand Slam semi-final at the Australian Open, while Rybakina continues to deal with the fallout of her controversial coach's ban. Backing Over 21.5 total games and Badosa to edge it.

As mentioned, Badosa leads 4-3, although the pair haven't faced off since 2023. Rybakina has won the last two meetings on hardcourt, with three of the last four going to a deciding set.

Rybakina comes into this contest with an 11-4 record on the season, improving from a torrid end to last year, where she managed just three victories after Wimbledon.

After beginning her year at the United Cup, Rybakina made the fourth round of the Australian Open, losing to eventual champion Madison Keys in three sets, before going on to reach the semi-finals in Abu Dhabi and quarter-finals in Doha.

The Kazakh improved to 5-0 in opening matches at the Dubai Tennis Champions after easing past qualifier Moyuka Uchijima 6-3 6-2.

After dealing with various injury problems over the last couple of years, Badosa has clawed her way back into the top 10 and is once again present amongst the game's elite.

Badosa put together a 21-5 record between Washington and Ningbo last year and has continue her winning momentum to start 2025, reaching her first Grand Slam semi-final at the Australian Open, defeating Coco Gauff along the way.

The Spaniard went out early to eventual champion Amanda Anisimova in Doha last week, but she's regrouped in Dubai, registering two convincing victories over Lulu Sun (6-3 6-4) and Elise Mertens (6-1 6-2) to make the R16.