Athletistic/Tennis. Daria Kasatkina will face 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the second round of the 2024 Australian Open on Thursday, January 18.

Kasatkina started the Australian Open against another American, Peyton Stearns. The Russian quickly took the advantage by making two breaks. After that, it was a matter of technique to take the affair to victory: Kasatkina won the set 6-2. But then there was a mirror response and Stearns also immediately made two breaks in the second set and led 4-0. Kasatkina immediately broke back, but it wasn’t enough as Stearns won the second set 6-3.

In the deciding set, Kastkina also made two breaks in a row, but at the very end, winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.

Stevens played against Olivia Gadeki in the first round and defeated the Australian in straight sets. Stevens made 5 breaks and gave his opponent only 4 games – 6-3 6-1.

Kasatkina and Stevens have met four times on the WTA Tour, with the American winning in personal meetings with a score of 3-1. Stevens won his last match in Parma of 2021 in three sets. But Stevens won all three on clay, while Kasatkina won on hard.

Prediction for the match Kasatkina – Stevens

Sloane Stephens arrived in Melbourne after a disappointing first week of the season in Brisbane and Hobart, where she played only 3 matches and was eliminated early on. In the first round of the Australian Open, Stevens scored 75% points on his first serve and 55% on his second, and made 5 breaks on his return.

Kasatkina played in the final in Adelaide and lost to Elena Ostapenko. In the first round, she had a tense match with Peyton Stearns. Kasatkina had a good reception, she also made 5 breaks, and won 73% of the points on her serve. On the second serve – 45%.

The stats are equal, but based on all past matches, Kasatkina is still in better shape and she is also much higher in the rankings. Even if it’s not in straight sets, the Russian should win.

Forecast: Kasatkina wins in three sets.


@sportru