Ashleigh Barty vs Sofia Kenin Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Adelaide

Prediction published on 06/01/2022, 11:37  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 06/01/2022 at 12:37 in Tennis Predictions

Ashleigh Barty may be the world number one but she is yet to win her home Grand Slam, the Australian Open. Barty continues her preparations for this year's tournament with a quarter-final against Sofia Kenin in the Adelaide International warm-up event. Barty didn't take part in the final few events of last year but has started 2022 well. The Australiantop seed defeated Coco Gauff (after losing the first set) to set up this match against Kenin. Barty has met her opponent in six previous matches and won four of them. The most recent match was a heartbreaking one for Barty as Kenin beat her in the 2020 Australian Open semi-final. Barty won five tournaments last year, including two of the last four played. 

Sofia Kenin went on to win the 2020 Australian Open but didn't have such a great 2021. Her ranking slipped from fourth to 12th by the end of the year Her appearance at Wimbledon last year saw Kenin achieve an unwanted record with 41 unforced errors in 45 minutes. It was an unsettling year behind the scenes too with her breaking up and then getting back with her coach, who just happens to be her father. It's not been an easy route to the last eight. Round one saw a tight 7-5 7-5 win over Lucia Bronzetti and the American nearly lost in the second round. Three match points had to be saved against Ajla Tomljanovic, eventually coming from a set down to win in three. Back Barty to get the win here.