World number three Naomi Osaka will take on Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia in the second round of the 2021 Australian Open on Wednesday, February 10, with the match likely to begin at around 11 am local time (12 noon BST or 7 pm Eastern Time previous day). Get the live streaming options of this A v B 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
Naomi Osaka v Caroline Garcia Head to Head
Osaka and Garcia have strangely never faced off in a competitive match before this.
Also Read:
Osaka Sends a Signal with Pavlyuchenkova Rout
In a match that would barely register a 3/10 on the excitement meter, the world number three made mincemeat of Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the first round of the tournament. Pavlyuchenkova has been the quarterfinalist here the last two seasons.
Looking to add a fourth Grand Slam title to her career tally – and a second here in Melbourne – Osaka got off to a rasping start as she broke her opponent’s serve twice to take a 4-0 lead in the first set. Pavlyuchenkova came up with a surprise break in the fifth game, almost against the run of play but Osaka showed she meant business by breaking right back and then serving out the set.
Pavlyuchenkova got the second set under way with an early hold only to be broken in her very next game. The Japanese number one was never tested on her serve again as she wrapped up her first round win 6-1, 6-2.
With this win, Osaka, who had earlier made the semifinal at the Gippsland Trophy before pulling out because of an injury, showed fitness no longer remained a concern for her and she remains a strong favourite to go the distance again.
[the_ad id=”30344″]
Garcia Goes Past Hercog
In a match lasting an hour and 41 minutes, Garcia battled hard before carving out a straight-set win over Polona Hercog in her first round match. Having earlier made it to the third round at the Gippsland Trophy, Garcia came through 7-6 (6), 6-3 to set up this meeting with the former Australian Open winner.
Garcia, ranked just five places above Hercog, was up a break early but was broken the very next game before the set was levelled at 3-3. Garcia had her chance again in the 10th game when she had a break-point – and hence a set-point – but Hercog held on to force a tie-breaker.
Both players then had a set-point apiece in the tie-breaker but it was Garcia who kept her cool and carved out a win.
The second set went to script for Garcia as she broke her opponent in the very first game, had another chance to do the same in the third before finishing off the match with a second break of serve in the set at 3-5.
The quality of opposition will now suddenly become that much tougher but Garcia has herself been a top-10 player and that experience should help the Frenchwoman who had made the fourth round of this tournament in 2018.
Osaka v Garcia Prediction and Tip
This has the potential to be another straightforward win for Osaka unless her first serve percentage goes down in which case Garcia needs to take advantage of the big drop in pedigree. Still, expect a straight-set win.
Tip: Osaka to win in straight sets: 1/2 (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