In the second round of the Australian Open, Diana Shnaider and Maria Sakkari will play against each other. The match will start on January 18 at 00:00.
Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction #1 – Handicap (+6) for Shnaider – 1.56.
Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction #2 – Total Games Over 19 – 1.68.
Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction #3 – 2nd Set Games Over 9.5 – 2.375.
Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction #4 – Sets Scoring: 1>2 – 2.19.
Undoubtedly, Sakkari has the advantage of class and experience in the upcoming match. However, Maria occasionally makes mistakes, takes unnecessary risks, and does not always have a stable first serve. Shnaider is having one of the best tournaments of her career, she is on a decent emotional lift. We expect the young Russian to avoid a big defeat today.
Given the excellent form of the Russian player and a certain instability in Saccari’s action, we expect at least 19 games to be played in the encounter.
Shnaider made it to the main draw of the Grand Slam for the first time. In qualifying, she scored three convincing victories. All the victories were decided by 2-0 in sets.
In the decisive round of qualifying, she defeated compatriot Anastasia Tikhonova (6-2, 6-1).
In the first match of the main draw, the 18-year-old tennis player defeated Kristina Kucova (7-6, 7-5).
Diana was able to take three games on the receiving end, made nine aces and won 70% of her points on the first ball.
Shnaider won the tournament in Montevideo late last year.
Shnaider will play his second career hard-court match if you take the main draws of the WTA 250+ or Grand Slam tournaments.
Sakkari, meanwhile, beat China’s Yuan Yue (6-1, 6-4) in the first round.
Maria had errors on her serve, allowing her opponent to win two break points, but she easily made it to the next round due to her good receiving game.
Sakkari had played four matches at the United Cup in early January and came away with three wins. The only exception was a meeting with Martina Trevisan. Sakkari sensationally lost to the Italian tennis player.
Sakkari reached the fourth round in Melbourne last year.
Sakkari has won seven of her last ten matches against qualifiers.
Type of Court – Hard
Speed of Court – 7/10
Diana Shnaider’s Rating – 106
Diana Shnaider Wins/Losses in 2023 – 4/1
Maria Sakkari’s Rating – 6
Maria Sakkari Wins/Losses in 2023 – 4/1
In four of Sakkari’s previous five matches, less than 9.5 games have been played in the first set. We offer to bet on “2nd Set Games Over 9.5” with odds of 2.375.
In four of Shnaider’s last five matches, more games have been played in the first set. We offer to bet on “Sets Scoring: 1>2” with odds of 2.19.
Shnaider and Sakkari have never played against each other.
The match will be played in Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
We recommend checking out the odds for the 2023 Australian Open: Diana Shnaider vs Maria Sakkari at 1xBet and VBET.