Alison Riske of the USA, the world number 30, will play Anastasia Potapova of Russia, the world 101 in the opening round of the 2021 Australian Open on Monday, February 8, with the match likely to begin at around 1 pm local time. Get the live streaming options of this Alison Riske v Anastasia Potapova 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
Alison Riske v Anastasia Potapova Head to Head
The pair have never met before. This will be the first match between the 26-year-old American, and the Russian.
Riske Has Not Played Since Paris
Riske was a semi-finalist in the doubles here two years go with Jennifer Brady, whilst, last year she enjoyed her best run in the singles event, reaching the fourth round before losing to Ashleigh Barty.
That came after reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon the previous year.
Despite the fact that she has acquired a reputation as a perpetual runner-up – she has lost seven WTA finals – she has actually claimed two titles in her career – the Tiaijin Open in 2014, and the Rosmalen Championship on grass five years later.
Post Melbourne last year, she struggled, and the only event where she won more than a single match was at the US Open. Her run though there was halted by her unheralded compatriot Ann-Li, who comprehensively beat her in straight sets.
She then exited the Rome and French Open events at the first round stage and has not played since, not entering any of the warm-up events last week.
[the_ad id=”30344″]
Former Junior World Number One Potapova Has Some Practice
Potapova is a former junior world number one player, who won the girls’ singles at Wimbledon in 2016.
She has gone on to win one ITF title, and despite still being in her teens, has made two WTA finals, although she lost both of them – the Moscow River Cup in 2018, and the Tashkent Open a few months later. However, she did win the doubles event in Moscow that year, and followed that up by lifting the Lausanne Open in 2019.
This is the third time that she has been in the main draw in Melbourne – she reached the second round in 2019, but was a first round casualty last year.
Due to injury, Potapova missed the second part of last season post-lockdown, making her reappearance on tour in Abu Dhabi, where she was beaten by the Greek Maria Sakkari.
Last week she competed in the Gippsland Trophy, defeating the American Whitney Osuigeve, before suffering a straight sets defeat to Simona Halep.
Riske v Potapova Prediction and Tip
Although Riske is the higher ranked player and has the greater experience, there are serious question marks over her fitness, having not played a competitive match for four months. As a result, the Russian teenager is tipped to win.
Tip: Potapova to win in three sets: 3/1 (bet365)
[the_ad id=”30513″]
The 2021 Australian Open will be played from February 8 to 21. You can watch & bet on these matches here. Get your latest premium tennis predictions here.
Be the first to comment