PREVIEW Stuttgart Open 2025 Semi-Finals: Aryna Sabalenka favourite to win Porsche as Jasmine Paolini awaits
WTASunday, 20 April 2025 at 11:45
The stage is set and the semi-finals are confirmed for the 2025 Stuttgart Open with two opposing sides of a semi-final expected to happen as such vs one that wasn't but in the race to the Porsche, it sets up a thrilling Easter Sunday as our preview pertains.
While Munich and Barcelona will hand out their trophies on Sunday as well as Rouen, local laws prevented play on Good Friday in Stuttgart so they play until Monday. But it is to the finish now and there are four players left. We assess their routes so far, Head to Heads and key talking points.
Read also
Ekaterina Alexandrova v Jelena Ostapenko
As ever WTA Tennis is very much unpredictable and for many it could've been Mirra Andreeva or Jessica Pegula v Iga Swiatek but the opposite has happened in the first half of the semi-final line-up.
Ekaterina Alexandrova thus far has seen off Liudmila Samsonova then Mirra Andreeva who she comfortably dispatched 6-3, 6-2 before then thrashing Jessica Pegula 6-0, 6-4.
The same Pegula who perhaps outside of Aryna Sabalenka and maybe Andreeva has been the form WTA player of the past two months or so and also beat Alexandrova a mere two weeks ago in Charleston. Now it is Ostapenko in her sights.
But for Alexandrova, it is perhaps not a huge shock. She is a big indoor talent having won Linz earlier in the season and having runs in Stuttgart before. She knows how to tackle the quicker surface indoors that perhaps some other players can't deal with. Not a huge common occurrence on the WTA in comparison to the men, Alexandrova would likely be there or thereabouts most week if it was played indoors.
Jelena Ostapenko has done it again against Iga Swiatek.
So as a result if she walks away with a Porsche, it would be a second title of the season both overall and at WTA 500 level. While Ostapenko has been landmarked by one famous win in particular that keeps on happening.
That being a certain Iga Swiatek. When the draw came out the cards were placed down and probably only Emma Navarro was going to stand in the way and nearly did of a potential clash between the pair.
With Donna Vekic losing to Jana Fett, Swiatek had a simpler task and Ostapenko won in three to hold up her end of the bargain before making it 6-0 in Head to Head in favour of the Latvian. A player who was superb at the start of last season but faded away slightly, she always has the game in her locker.
While she is a polarising figure for those who don't like her antics on court at times, she often adds character which is missing in the sport at times and lets it be known when she isn't happy with a decision or shot.
In comparison with Alexandrova who is steely and doesn't give much away. The Head to Head is vast but doesn't either. It is 5-5. Ironically Ostapenko defeated her indoors last year in the Linz Final in their last meeting 6-2, 6-3.
But aside from that, they have met every year at least since 2022 and prior to that all the way back in 2015 during ITF tournament so a career that has seen them follow each other around. So another chapter to add to the story tomorrow.
Match Info:
Ekaterina Alexandrova - Jelena Ostapenko
Start time (local): Sun, 20 Apr, 1:00 PM
Start time (your time): Sun, 20 Apr, 7:00 PM
Court: Centre Court
Tournament: Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
Round: Semifinal
Head-to-Head
| Alexandrova | Ostapenko | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 5 | 5 |
| Win Streak | 0 | 3 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 22 | 24 |
| Race Ranking | 12 | 19 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 21 (+1) | 22 (+2) |
| Live Race Ranking | 8 (+4) | 16 (+3) |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 30 (15 Nov 1994) | 27 (8 Jun 1997) |
| Birthplace | Chelyabinsk, Russia | Riga |
| Residence | Prague, Czech Republic | Riga, Latvia |
| Height | 5'10" (180cm) | 5'9" (177cm) |
| Weight | 146lbs (66kg) | 150lbs (68kg) |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | 2010 | 2012 |
| Coach | Igor Andreev (Dec 2024—) , Evgeny Alexandrov, Petr Kralert | Stas Khmarsky, Jeļena Jakovļeva |
| YTD W/L | 15-7 (68%) | 9-8 (53%) |
| YTD Titles | 1 | - |
| Career Titles | 5 | 8 |
| Prize Money | US $7,650,274 | US$16,922,128 - 33rd in all-time rankings |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
J Ostapenko d E Alexandrova WTA Linz - Final6-2 | 6-3 4 Feb 2024 |
||
|
J Ostapenko d E Alexandrova WTA Adelaide 1 - Semifinal6-2 | 7-6 12 Jan 2024 |
||
|
J Ostapenko d E Alexandrova San Diego - Round of 327-6 | 6-7 | 7-5 12 Sep 2023 |
||
|
E Alexandrova d J Ostapenko WTA Seoul - Final7-6 | 6-0 25 Sep 2022 |
||
|
E Alexandrova d J Ostapenko WTA Madrid - Round of 646-2 | 4-6 | 6-4 28 Apr 2022 |
||
|
J Ostapenko d E Alexandrova WTA Linz - Semifinal1-6 | 7-6 | 7-5 12 Oct 2019 |
||
|
E Alexandrova d J Ostapenko WTA Eastbourne - Round of 166-3 | 2-1 26 Jun 2019 |
||
|
E Alexandrova d J Ostapenko WTA Seoul - Round of 166-3 | 6-2 21 Sep 2018 |
||
|
E Alexandrova d J Ostapenko ITFOlomouc -7-5 | 3-2 15 Jul 2015 |
||
|
J Ostapenko d E Alexandrova ITFKreuzlingen -6-3 | 6-3 20 Feb 2015 |
||
Jasmine Paolini v Aryna Sabalenka
Then onto the lead tie as Jasmine Paolini will take on Aryna Sabalenka for a spot in the final. This is the side of the draw that was always going to gleam at least one big name.
But there are in fact two still involved and whoever seals this will be favourite for the title. Albeit Aryna Sabalenka will be picking out which Porsche she wants and likely will be thinking she has the keys ready to drive off already.
Sabalenka has famously not won the title here despite reaching a lot of finals. Two years ago, she mimicked smashing the car windows in with her runner-up trophy which made those in attendance and online laugh. As well as highlighting her anguish as to her losing again.
But Sabalenka is well known for a setback leading to a comeback and not winning this will spur her on. She has barely had to play this week either which will be a fresher Sabalenka no matter what.
Read also
Anastasia Potapova had to withdraw due to injury and so she played Elise Mertens either side of the Bank Holiday and sealed the win after being down 4-3 in the first set and battling checkmark drama. Having won Miami recently, Sabalenka is the form player and heads into a favourite clay court spot of Madrid wanting to exert her dominance.
Especially with Swiatek, the Queen of Clay losing again to Ostapenko in another blow. But what about Jasmine Paolini.
It can't all be Sabalenka right? Coco Gauff was the main big win and it has been a superb Paolini all week long in Stuttgart.
Can Jasmine Paolini stop Aryna Sabalenka?
A player called on social media a one season wonder by some despite reaching two Grand Slam finals and winning a WTA 1000 title in the form of her life, she has a tough act to follow no matter which side of the fence you sit on.
Especially for a player who muddled around the top 30 for most of her career up to this point and made incremental growth year on year but never had a breakout. But she seems to have found her feet in the elite.
She has also seen when it is not working too in hiring a new coach to give her fresh impetus. Gone is Renzo Furlan after 10 years and being Coach of the Year in 2024 and Marc Lopez albeit temporarily for now is in.
The former coach of Rafael Nadal knows how to win on clay both as a player and as a coach and so is perhaps the perfect tonic to the Italian livewire who leaves it all out on the court and is great on most surfaces. Their first week has gleamed a semi-final and despite seeing off Jule Niemeier and Eva Lys in two simple ties, the first test against Gauff was passed well.
Head to Head wise, it is 4-2 to Sabalenka but they have played for years dating back to 2017 in British ITA tournaments before they were ever in the higher levels. But recently it has been mostly Sabalenka aside from a win at Indian Wells in 2022.
She won their last few at Miami a few weeks ago, WTA Finals in November and Beijing in 2023. So she will be expected to win this time especially given the Gauff win was a first top ten win in 10 months.
But can Paolini continue that first week of Lopez with a Porsche and add some German engineering to her Italian style? Time will tell but in a week of shocks, don't write her off.
Match Info:
Aryna Sabalenka - Jasmine Paolini
Start time (local): Sun, 20 Apr, 2:10 PM
Start time (your time): Sun, 20 Apr, 8:10 PM
Court: Centre Court
Tournament: Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
Round: Semifinal
Head-to-Head
| Sabalenka | Paolini | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 4 | 2 |
| Win Streak | 3 | 0 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 1 | 6 |
| Race Ranking | 1 | 14 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 1 | 6 |
| Live Race Ranking | 1 | 14 |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 26 (5 May 1998) | 29 (4 Jan 1996) |
| Birthplace | Minsk, Belarus | Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Tuscany, Italy |
| Residence | Miami, Florida, US | Bagni di Lucca, Tuscany, Italy |
| Height | 5'11" (182cm) | 5'2" (160cm) |
| Weight | 176lbs (80kg) | - |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | 2015 | 2011 |
| Coach | Anton Dubrov | Renzo Furlan (2020-Apr 2025), Marc López (Apr 2025-) |
| YTD W/L | 22-4 (85%) | 12-6 (67%) |
| YTD Titles | 2 | - |
| Career Titles | 19 | 2 |
| Prize Money | US $33,287,633 - 9th in all-time rankings | US$ 9,631,944 |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
A Sabalenka d J Paolini WTA Miami - Semifinal6-2 | 6-2 27 Mar 2025 |
||
|
A Sabalenka d J Paolini WTA Finals -6-3 | 7-5 4 Nov 2024 |
||
|
A Sabalenka d J Paolini WTA Beijing - Round of 166-4 | 7-6 5 Oct 2023 |
||
|
J Paolini d A Sabalenka WTA Indian Wells - Round of 642-6 | 6-3 | 6-3 12 Mar 2022 |
||
|
A Sabalenka d J Paolini WTA Linz - Round of 326-4 | 6-4 10 Nov 2020 |
||
|
J Paolini d A Sabalenka ITF Great Britain 10A - Round of 324-6 | 7-5 | 7-6 21 Jun 2017 |
||
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Coco needs to stop the Williams Hero Worship and play like 'Coco'.
mandoist19-04-2025 - Didn't expect issues between these two...SakkariFan2318-04-2025
- Send her a crate of deodorant DoveSakkariFan2318-04-2025
- Good to see, hopefully Sakkari can return to the form she deserves.SakkariFan2318-04-2025
- Shame no play on Friday but some line-up incoming..SakkariFan2318-04-2025
- Zverev's reaction lacked a bit of class this time around. He handled it better in Australia.MrAndreeva18-04-2025
- Funny from Dove & a corporate rarity.MrAndreeva18-04-2025
- Well, we all surely appreciate this bit of nothing. Go feed your kids.mandoist17-04-2025
- If it weren't for the original contract, Raducanu would have been dropped a year ago.mandoist15-04-2025
- Mark, think about who goes through 7 coaches in 2 years. I have no idea who you are -- but save yourself from this torture. DON'T DO IT !!!mandoist15-04-2025
