A semi-final match at the Australian Open between Magda Linette and Aryna Sabalenka. The match will start on January 26 at 10:00.
Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction #1 – Handicap (-4) for Sabalenka – 1.59.
Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction #2 – Total Games Under 21 – 1.76.
The Belarusian has defeated Magda Linette twice in her career without any problems. Sabalenka is in great shape now, she plays from a position of strength in every match and no one has been able to withstand her pressure so far. We don’t think the Polish representative will have a chance to win even one set.
Sabalenka has not allowed Linette to win more than four games in their two head-to-head encounters. In all of her Melbourne matches, Aryna has been a perfect 2-0 in sets and that’s what we’re waiting for today.
There was no doubt that the Polish player would play in the semi-finals. However, hardly anyone thought it would be Magda Linette. At least in the top four was expected Iga Swiatek, who lost in the 1/8 finals to Elena Rybakina.
Linette reached the semi-finals at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career. Moreover, previously her best result at this level was the third round.
At this tournament, Magda defeated four seeded tennis players. In the 1/8 final, she defeated Caroline Garcia (7-6, 6-4).
In the quarter-finals, Linette defeated Karolina Pliskova (6-3, 7-5). The Czech was brought down by her poor play on the second serve (she took only 29% of points). She was very good on the first serve, as well as on the second one. Pliskova could take only one game on serve.
Linette has not been able to win against a player from Belarus since 2019 (four defeats).
Sabalenka, meanwhile, reached the semi-finals in Melbourne for the first time. Thanks to this, she will return to the top four.
In the quarterfinals, Aryna easily defeated Donna Vekic (6-3, 6-2).
In the previous rounds, the Belarusian has not given up a single set either. Though, she had some serious opponents there.
Previously, Sabalenka stopped Tereza Martincova (6-1, 6-4), Shelby Rogers (6-3, 6-1), Elise Mertens (6-2, 6-3) and Belinda Bencic (7-5, 6-2).
Aryna’s winning streak already stands at nine matches. Earlier this month, she took the title in Adelaide. There, too, the Belarusian did not lose a single set.
Sabalenka has not lost a set so far this year.
Type of Court – Hard
Speed of Court – 7/10
Magda Linette’s Rating – 45
Magda Linette Wins/Losses in 2023 – 8/2
Aryna Sabalenka’s Rating – 5
Aryna Sabalenka Wins/Losses in 2023 – 9/0
Sabalenka leads with a score of 2-0 in the head-to-head encounters. The last time they met was at the Tianjin Open in 2018. In that match, Azarenka defeated Linette (6-1, 6-3) in two sets.
The match will be played in Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
We recommend checking out the odds for the 2023 Australian Open: Magda Linette vs Aryna Sabalenka at 1xBet and VBET.