Barbora Krejcikova vs Madison Keys Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Australian Open

Prediction published on 24/01/2022, 09:01  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 24/01/2022 at 10:01 in Tennis Predictions

Women's singles events are usually full of surprises. Fourth seeded Barbora Krejcikova will want to avoid another one as she takes on unseeded Madison Keys in the Australian Open quarter final. The winner of this match faces either top seeded Ashleigh Barty or Jessica Pegula in the last four. Krejcikova had a breakthrough 2021 in terms of being a singles player. Best known for being one of the best doubles players in the world (currently ranked second), Krejcikova was ranked 66th this time last year but ended 2021 in fifth place. Now she's up to fourth and third in the live rankings. A win over Keys will take her up to second after Aryna Sabalenka lost in the fourth round. Krejcikova played one warm-up tournament and reached the final in Sydney, losing in the final to Paula Badosa. This is the first time that she's made it past the second round of the Australian Open. Wins have come against Andrea Petkovic, Wang Xiyu (both in straight sets), Jelena Ostapenko (after losing the first set) and then dropping just four games against 24th seeded Viktoria Azarenka.

Madison Keys is the world number 51 but up to 35th in the live rankings. In the ranking list published on January 10, Keys had slipped to 87th in the rankings, not good for the former world number seven. Then the American won Adelaide International 2, beating Allison Riske in the final and also beating Elina Svitolina and Coco Gauff. That was her first singles title since winning in Cincinnati in 2019. Her good form has continued into the Australian Open. Keys is in her third quarter final in this tournament. The last was in 2018 and three years before that she reached the semi-finals. This year has seen her defeat former champion Sofia Kenin, Jaqueline Cristian, Wang Qian (after losing the first set) and then beating eighth seeded Paula Badosa for the loss of just four games. This looks like being a close match and a bet on the match having three sets is the tip.