Former world number one Karolina Pliskova has 22nd-ranked Shuai Zhang as her fourth round opponent at the 2023 Australian Open on Monday, January 23. Get the latest predictions and betting tips of this Karolina Pliskova v Shuai Zhang match along with its preview and odds.
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Karolina Pliskova v Shuai Zhang Head to Head
This is a rather one-sided rivalry at all levels. It started with an ITF level encounter in 2012, moved to the WTA Dubai qualifier in 2014 and has seen five other matches at the highest level and Pliskova has won every single time.
The last time they faced off, however, was in the 2018 US Open. In the period since, Pliskova has lost some of her verve while Zhang has improved to a career-best ranking of 22 and can be expected to break into the top 20 after this tournament is done.
Also Read:
Pliskova Roars Past Gracheva
One of the first players on court on Saturday, Pliskova had no trouble winning her match against Varvara Gracheva and enter round four at this tournament for the first time since 2019.
Pliskova needed an hour and 18 minutes to crush Gracheva’s hopes, clinching it 6-4, 6-2 with her serve making it rather easy for the Czech.
While Gracheva held her own in the first set, Pliskova did not face any difficulties in holding her own service. In fact she did not face a single break-point in the entire match and once she had broken Gracheva in the third game of the set, there was no looking back for Pliskova.
The second set was an even more whirlwind affair with a break in the first and seventh games and one match-point being all that it took for Pliskova to clinch it.
She had earlier overcome Xiyu Wang and Yulia Putintseva in the first two rounds, also in straight sets after starting the season with back to back opening round exits.
Can Pliskova maintain her hold over Zhang now to enter the last eight stage?
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Zhang Makes Short Work of Volynets
Much like Pliskova, the start to Zhang’s season wasn’t the best as she fell in the qualifiers of the Adelaide International 2 after getting ousted in the first round of the Adelaide International 1 competition.
She was made to work for her first round win over Patricia Tig but once Zhang had found her rhythm, she did not have a lot of trouble in sending the 3/5 match favourite Petra Martic out in round two.
And 65 minutes is all that she needed in overcoming Katie Volynets to enter the fourth round of Australian Open for just the second time in her career. She won 6-3, 6-2 on the back of some excellent serving too but aided in no small way by Volynets’ lack of winners and 18 unforced errors.
Zhang saved the only break-point she faced in the entire match even as Volynets was broken four times.
Against Pliskova, Zhang will need to do a lot better on her returns – she won 34% of the first serve return points against Volynets – given her opponent’s strong serving prowess.
Expect her to put some a challenge.
Pliskova v Zhang Prediction and Tips
Pliskova is a favourite here but unlike their previous meetings, this could be a lot keener with not much to choose between these two. Expecting Zhang to grab a set at the very least.
Match Tips & Picks*
- Low Risk Tip: Pliskova to win: 1/2 (Click Here to Bet with bet365)
- Moderate Risk Tip: Three sets in the match: 6/4 (Click Here to Bet with 888Sport)
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Latest Australian Open 2023 Outright Odds*
- Pliskova to win the title: 25/1 (Click Here to Bet with bet365)
- Zhang to win the title: 50/1 (Click Here to Bet with 888Sport)
The 2023 Australian Open will be played from January 16 to January 29. You can get all the tennis betting news with our tennis betting blog here. Also get rest of the tennis match previews here. *Please note, the odds are correct at the time of writing and might be different from what you get.
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