Magdalena Frech vs Anastasia Zakharova Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Australian Open

Prediction published on 18/01/2024, 01:19  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 18/01/2024 at 01:19 in Tennis Predictions

The qualifier Anastasia Zakharova and the unseeded Magdalena Frech will square off in the third round at the Australian Open. A fourth-round showdown with either Cori Gauff or Alycia Parks will then await the winner. Magdalena Frech has set a new career record in Melbourne this season. Before this year, the 26-year-old had never won a main draw match here and now has two wins. Another win will see her achieve her best-ever result at a major. Frech defeated 16th seed Caroline Garcia in straight sets to advance to this round. The win was her fifth in seven outings this season. She is now up 13 places to 56th in the live ranking which is a new career high. The Pole defeated Zakharova the only other time they were paired up against one another.

Anastasia Zakharova is on a five-match winning run after she started her Melbourne campaign in the qualifying rounds. Before this season, the 22-year-old had never played a main draw match at a Grand Slam. She also had never won a match in Melbourne and had been eliminated in the first round of qualifying in her three appearances. Safe to say the Russian is having the tournament of her life and will hope to keep this momentum going. Zakharova stunningly defeated Kaja Juvan in the second round as she only relinquished two games in the 2-0 victory. Advancing to this round has thrust her up a whopping 58 places to 132nd in the live ranking. This is a new career high.