Barbora Krejcikova vs Anhelina Kalinina Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Australian Open

Prediction published on 18/01/2023, 06:21  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 19/01/2023 at 11:00 in Tennis Predictions

20th seeded Barbora Krejcikova is up against unseeded Anhelina Kalinina in the third round of the Australian Open. The winner of this match goes into the last 16 and a possible meeting with third seeded Jessica Pegula. Krejcikova has slipped down the rankings and began this tournament in 23rd place. However, the Czech is down to 32nd in the live rankings as she has to defend all the points won last year when reaching the quarter finals in Melbourne. That was her best performance in a Grand Slam event in 2022 with only three matches won in the other three tournaments. Her quarter final appearance here last year is by far her best result in the Australian Open. Krejcikova lost five times in the qualifying rounds before finally reaching the main draw in 2020. The Czech is better known for her doubles success which last year saw her win all three of the women's doubles Grand Slam events she played. Krejcikova can go deep in the singles though as was shown perfectly when winning the French Open in 2021. Only one singles tournament has been played in the build-up to this Grand Slam. That was the second Adelaide International tournament, where she lost to Daria Kasatkina in the last 16. So far in this Australian Open she's had wins over fellow Czech Sara Bejlek and Clara Burel. Both players beaten were qualifiers but Krejcikova has only dropped nine games.

Anhelina Kalinina caused a shock in the second round when beating the 15th seed Petra Kvitova in straight sets. Kalinina began this tournament ranked 39th but is now up to 29th in the live rankings and that's higher than her opponent. The 25-year-old first started playing Grand Slam events in 2015 but this is her first time she's reached the third round of one. This is only her second time in the main draw of the Australian Open and the previous time was last year when losing in the first round. This is her third tournament of the new year. The other two saw her reach the last 16 in the first Adelaide International and then the quarter finals in Hobart where she was beaten by Sofia Kenin. Her only previous match against Krejcikova was on clay in the 2018 French Open with the Czech winning in three sets. This could be a close match and Krejcikova can get the win.