Karolina Pliskova vs Madison Keys Prediction & Picks - WTA Australian Open

Prediction published on 1/23/26, 3:10 PM  by Tyler Doty | Modified on 1/26/26 at 11:16 AM in Tennis Picks

Before the first week of the Australian Open Grand Slam comes to an end, Australian audiences will be treated to the round of 32, including a match between Czech player Karolina Pliskova and American Madison Keys! 

A member of the top 10 for six consecutive seasons between 2016 and 2021, Karolina Pliskova suffered a long ankle injury that kept her off the tennis courts for several months. In fact, she was only able to play three matches in 2025 and is now attempting a comeback in the new year. Returning to a Grand Slam is a bold move, but she knows these Australian tennis courts well, having reached the quarterfinals three times and the semifinals once.

Madison Keys, meanwhile, is on her way to defend the title she won for the first time last season against Aryna Sabalenka. After being knocked out early in the Adelaide tournament last week, where she was also defending her title, the 30-year-old American will be determined not to suffer a second early disappointment. Having won her first two rounds without difficulty against O. Oliynykova and A. Krueger, she should be able to dominate her opponent, who is lacking match practice.