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Match details
Fixture: (2/WC) Angelique Kerber vs (Q) Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
Date: 18 May 2022.
Tournament: Internationaux de Strasbourg 2022.
Round: Second Round (Round of 16).
Venue: Strasbourg, France.
Category: WTA 250.
Surface: Clay.
Prize money: $251,750.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video.
Angelique Kerber vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich preview
Former World No. 1 Angelique Kerber will square off against qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the second round of the 2022 Internationaux de Strasbourg on Wednesday.
Kerber arrived in Strasbourg on the back of a six-match losing streak. After her fourth-round defeat to Iga Swiatek in Indian Wells, the German lost in the first round of the Miami Open, Stuttgart and Rome. She also lost both of her Billie Jean King Cup ties.
Kerber finally snapped her losing streak by defeating home favorite Diane Parry 6-3, 6-4 in the first round in Strasbourg to bring up her first win of the clay season. The three-time Grand Slam champion will now aim to get some more wins under her belt ahead of Roland Garros.
At last week's Italian Open, Aliaksandra Sasnovich came through qualifying to secure her spot in the main draw. She defeated the higher-ranked Veronika Kudermetova in three sets in the first round, but lost to World No. 3 Paula Badosa in straight sets in her next match.
Sasanovich had to go through qualifying in Strasbourg as well. She defeated Vlada Koval and Lena Papadakis in straight sets to advance to the main draw. In the first round, she won 6-4, 6-2 against Julie Gervais.
The Belarusian is seeking consecutive main-draw wins for the first time since the Miami Open in March.
Angelique Kerber vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich head-to-head
Kerber leads Sasnovich 1-0 in the head-to-head. She won their only prior encounter in three sets at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships.
Angelique Kerber vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich odds
All odds are sourced from BetMGM.
Angelique Kerber vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich prediction
Given her past accomplishments and higher ranking, Kerber will be the slight favorite on paper heading into this contest. However, the German's recent results have been poor, which should bode well for Sasnovich.
Kerber is still one of the best returners on tour but has regressed a bit in that department. Out of the 13 break points she had against Parry in the first round, she could only convert three. Against a top player, so many wasted opportunities could've proved costly.
She is also famous for her court coverage. Though she has slowed down a bit of late, the 34-year-old remains much quicker than her younger counterparts.
Sasnovich, meanwhile, managed to lose serve thrice against a player ranked 725 in the previous round. The match should've been more one-sided given the Belarusian is a top-50 player.
Sasnovich, on her part, is adept at redirecting pace and hitting from the baseline, but engaging in lengthy rallies won't help her against a player like Kerber.
Kerber will also feel more confident in her game after ending her losing streak. Sometimes just one win can be a turning point for a champion to rediscover their form and that could very well be the case for the German.
Pick: Angelique Kerber to win in three sets.
