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The winner of this match will face either Linda Noskova or Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals.
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Sabalenka and Tauson have played just once, last month at the Australian Open, but it was a good one. Sabalenka won 7-6 (5), 6-4; if anything, the match was tighter than those close scores indicate.
Tauson doesnāt look all that intimidating as she she strolls around the court between points, but she’s the rare player who can slug with Sabalenka. In Melbourne, she took the initiative away from the world No. 1 for long stretches, and forced her into nervous errors. Sabalenka righted the ship in time in both sets, and Tauson, a 22-year-old ranked 33rd, may not quite have been ready to beat her on that stage.
Power-wise, Tauson has Top 10 game, and she should continue to rise in the rankings this year. It will be interesting to see if she has climbed any higher, or developed any more belief, since January. Winner: SabalenkaāSteve Tignor
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To win the tournament, Sabalenka is +275 and Tauson +3300.
(Odds from BetMGM as of 5:00 pm ET on Tuesday, February 18)
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