• Home
  • Tennis
timer

This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

Maria Sakkari vs Elena Rybakina Betting Tips & Live Stream – Rybakina to Keep Momentum Rolling at WTA Rome

moti-prakash
Editor
Last updated: Fri 08 May 2026 07:34
Elena Rybakina and Maria Sakkari meet in Rome with Rybakina boasting a 5-1 head-to-head advantage and superior recent form. Sakkari snapped a losing streak but has struggled for consistency, particularly on clay. Rybakina, having already claimed titles including the Australian Open and Stuttgart in 2026, is a clear favorite with her dominant record against lower-ranked opponents. Sakkari's recent win could give her some confidence, but the recommendation is that Rybakina’s current level makes her the strong pick for this matchup.
Moti Prakash 08 May 2026
Share this article
Or copy link
  • Rybakina leads Sakkari 5–1 and is in strong 2026 form with multiple titles
  • Sakkari recently ended a losing streak but has lacked consistent clay results
  • Rybakina is favored to win, given her dominant record and current momentum
Expired
Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina serves against Anastasia Potapova in Madrid (credit: Getty)
Sakkari started the season positively, but her recent form hasn’t been convincing enough to seriously trouble Rybakina, though she can still put up a fight.

Sakkari Challenges Rybakina Form

  • Maria Sakkari failed to win multiple matches in seven of her last eight clay events. 
  • She has a 2–3 record vs Top 10 players in 2026. 
  • Elena Rybakina is 4–0 in Rome opening rounds. 
  • She holds an 18–2 record vs outside Top 20 players in 2026.

HTH - Elena Rybakina leads 5-1

YearEventSurfaceRoundWinnerScore
2025WimbledonGrass2RRybakina6-3, 6-1
2025United CupHardRybakina6-4, 6-3
2024MiamiHardQFRybakina7-5, 6-7(4), 6-4
2023Masters Cup WTAHardRybakina6-0, 6-7(4), 7-6(2)
2022Indian WellsHardQFSakkari7-5, 6-4
2020Saint Petersburg WTAIndoorSFRybakina3-6, 7-5, 6-1

Sakkari Finds Relief In Rome

Maria Sakkari came from a set and a break down to defeat lucky loser Lilli Tagger 5-7, 6-3, 6-0 and reach the second round in Rome. 

The win ended her four-match losing streak on tour. Before this week, she had suffered three straight opening-round exits in Miami, Charleston, and Madrid. 

Sakkari has played six tournaments this season and, apart from her semifinal run in Doha, she has struggled for consistency. In Doha, she recorded notable wins over Jasmine Paolini and Iga Swiatek. 

On clay, she has managed multiple wins only once since the start of 2025, reaching the fourth round in Madrid last year. She now heads into the next round in Rome with a solid 5-2 record in second-round matches.

CategoryDetails
NationalityGreece
Age30 (25 July 1995)
PlaysRight-handed
World Ranking47
Career High3 (21 March 2022)
Elo Ranking41 (Rating: 1834)
Tour level titles2

Rybakina Continues Strong Season Form

Elena Rybakina began her clay season by winning the title in Stuttgart. However, she followed it with a disappointing fourth-round loss to Anastasia Potapova in Madrid. 

Overall, Rybakina has enjoyed a strong 2026 campaign. She has reached at least the quarterfinals in six of her eight tournaments and converted two of those runs into titles, including the Australian Open crown. 

The Kazakh’s rise has been particularly impressive considering she dropped out of the top 10 around this time last year. A strong resurgence since the North American swing helped her reclaim elite status, highlighted by four titles in the last eight months. 

This is her fifth appearance at the Italian Open, where she has reached at least the third round every time. Her best result came in 2023 when she lifted the title.

CategoryDetails
NationalityKazakhstan
Age26 (17 June 1999)
PlaysRight-handed
World Ranking2
Career High2 (16 March 2026)
Elo Ranking2 (Rating: 2181)
Tour level titles13

Verdict

Maria Sakkari started the season with a few positive performances, but her recent form has dropped compared to earlier in the year. Against an in-form Elena Rybakina, that could make things difficult, although Sakkari should still be competitive at times.

Best Bet1: Rybakina 2-0 Correct Score @5/9 at Hollywood bets - 2 Units
Best Bet2: Over 18.5 Total Games @5/7 at bet365 - 2 Units
Rybakina 2-0
Correct Score
@5/9 - 2 Units
£30 Free Bet
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywood bets
Over 18.5
Total Games
@5/7 - 2 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365

Top Betting Sites

special-offer-1Betting offers

Upcoming Events

08 May 2026

Maria Sakkari v Elena Rybakina

Hear more from Freetips.com