[sc:AUS15-250 ]Victoria Azarenka is on to the second round of the 2016 Australian Open after easily dispatching Alison Van Uytvanck in the first round. Azarenka is one of the best players in the world as a two-time champion of the Australian Open and the 14th seed in the tournament. But she’ll have one tough challenge in the up-and-coming Danka Kovinic. The 21-year-old won her first match, also in straight sets, to set up this outing.
Can Kovinic make her arrival as one of the world’s best with a big win over Azarenka? Or will the veteran be too much for her at this stage of her career?
If you’re hungry for more tennis action, then check out our complete previews for Stan Wawrinka vs. Radek Stepanek and Madison Keys vs. Yaroslava Shvedova.
[sc:TennisArticles ]Victoria Azarenka vs. Danka Kovinic Preview
Where: Melbourne Park, Melbourne
When: Wednesday, January 20
Line: Victoria Azarenka (-3,000) vs. Danka Kovinic (+1,400) – view all Australian Open Women’s Singles lines
Betting on Victoria Azarenka
Victoria Azarenka stormed through the first round of the Australian Open, beating Alison Van Uytvanck 6-0, 6-0. Azarenka was dominant on serve, winning 91 percent of her first serve points. She hit 10 winners and committed seven unforced errors.
[sc:Other240banner ]Azarenka has been absolutely dominant recently winning her last six matches on hard court, including winning the Brisbane Open title leading up to this tournament. She has not dropped a set in her last six matches.
An incredible return game has been Azarenka’s strong suits entering this match. She’s won 57.8 percent of her return points in her last six matches. A solid return game should help her aplenty against Danka Kovinic, who doesn’t have too much power to bother Azarenka.
Azarenka doesn’t commit many mistakes. She should have a manageable time against an up-and-comer like Kovinic especially if she can force long, extended volleys. Doing so should help her keep the game in her comfort zone, as well as setting up her opponent where she can hit winners.
Azarenka has advanced past the second round of the Australian Open each year since 2007.
Betting on Danka Kovinic
Danka Kovinic is also entering the second round of the Australian Open red-hot after a straight sets victory. Kovinic bested Samantha Crawfrod 6-2, 6-4 in the opening round. She hit 19 winners and 10 unforced errors.
Kovinic showcased a strong service game, winning 82 percent of her first serve points. She also had two aces. Kovinic also had a strong return game in the opening round, winning 47 percent of her return points and four of 10 break point opportunities. Kovinic has the perfect style to exploit Azarenka’s highly-mobile baseline style. She can engage in volleys after putting her first serves in, while also returning Azarenka’s serves.
While Kovinic still doesn’t have much experience in the WTA, she knows how to play at a high level. She has appeared in 10 ITF Women’s Singles finals, winning seven titles along the way. She was also the runner-up at the Tianjin Open in October, losing to Agnieszka Radwanska in the final.
Kovinic has lost three of her last four matches on hard court.
Writer’s Prediction
Azarenka (-3,000) dominates Kovinic in straight sets.
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