Greek number one Maria Sakkari, who is ranked 22nd in the world, will take on Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic in the first round of the 2021 Australian Open on Tuesday, February 9, with the match likely to begin at around 10 am local time (11 pm BST or 6 pm Eastern Time previous day). Get the live streaming options of this Maria Sakkari v Kristina Mladenovic match along with its preview, head to head, and tips here.
Looking to watch 2021 Australian Open live streaming online?
- For tennis fans in the UK, Europe, Australia & elsewhere go to bet365 > Tennis > Live Streaming here* to watch & bet on the ATP & WTA tennis live.
- Get all the other Australian Open 2021 live streaming options here
[the_ad id=”14063″]
*Advertisement. Geo-restrictions apply & pre-funded account needed
Maria Sakkari v Kristina Mladenovic Head to Head
The only previous encounter between these two players came at the Italian Open of 2019 where Sakkari needed three sets to get past Mladenovic in the quarterfinals.
Also Read:
Back to Back Semifinal for Sakkari This Season
While all the attention has been on the big-ticket players in the women’s tour, Sakkari is slowly inching her way towards a solid Grand Slam run that goes deep into the second week. A run that goes deeper than the fourth round at the previous year’s Australian Open and the US Open.
Because in the two tournaments she has played this season so far – in Abu Dhabi and Melbourne – the Greek has made the semifinal both times. And it’s not just the semifinal alone, but the results which have gone her way which are worth a mention.
After a relatively easy first round encounter in Abu Dhabi against Anastasia Potapova, Sakkari went on to defeat Cori Gauff, Garbine Muguruza and Sofia Kenin before going down to the eventual winner Aryna Sabalenka.
And in Melbourne, she routed both Leylah Fernandez and Angelique Kerber to make the last four where she lost a rather close encounter against Anett Kontaveit.
With those kind of results, Sakkari wouldn’t be short of confidence and while Victoria Azarenka and Elina Svitolina could await her in the third and the fourth round respectively, the world number 22 should have enough confidence to carve wins past them.
[the_ad id=”30344″]
Mladenovic Continues to Stumble in Singles
A solid doubles winner, Mladenovic has won multiple Grand Slams in that category but as her play has improved there, she has struggled more and more in singles.
Ranked 50th in the world at the moment, this former world number 10 is on a four-match losing streak at the highest level starting with the second round defeat at the US Open last season. She then fell in the opener at the French Open before kick-starting the current season with back to back losses in successive tournaments.
In Abu Dhabi, Mladenovic fell to Muguruza in the first round while at the Yarra Valley Classic, Jessica Pegula got the better of her, both in straight sets.
And now facing a supremely confident Sakkari, the writing seems to be on the wall for the Frenchwoman.
Sakkari v Mladenovic Prediction and Tip
Sakkari is 1/7 to win this and 4/9 to do that in straight sets. The games handicap below, however, could be the one chance you could look at.
Tip: Games Handicap Mladenovic +5.5: 1/1 (bet365)
[the_ad id=”30513″]
The 2021 Australian Open will be played from February 8 to 21. You can watch & bet on the these matches here. Get your latest premium tennis predictions here.
Be the first to comment