Australian Open 2024: Aryna Sabalenka vs Brenda Fruhvirtova preview, head-to-head, prediction, live streaming

Published at :January 16, 2024 at 3:20 PM

Modified at :January 17, 2024 at 3:20 PM

(Courtesy : Eurosport/Reuters)

Defending champion Sabalenka is eyeing a second Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park.

Aryna Sabalenka had a good run in the 2023 season, reaching the semifinals at semifinals at Wimbledon and Roland Garros, the finals at Flushing Meadows and winning her maiden Grand Slam – The Australian Open. The Bealrusian also attained the World No. 1 ranking after the US Open taking over briefly from Iga Swiatek. The Pole reclaimed the top position after the WTA Finals to finish the 2023 season as No. 1.

Brenda Fruhvirtova, who hails from the Czech Republic won seven ITF Circuit tournaments in 2023, one less than what she won in 2022. Fruhvirtova qualified for the main draw of the ASB Classic, making it to the second round by beating 57th ranked russian Anna Blinkova. The Prague native could not get past top seed Coco Gauff, but did manage to take three games off her in the first set.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Brenda Fruhvirtova Preview

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka began her title defence with a strong 6-0, 6-1 win over German qualifier Ella Seidel on Sunday night. Seidel, Ranked No.173, was making her Grand Slam tournament debut. Sabalenka, breezed through the match winning in 53 minutes.

Sabalenka faces 16-year-old Brenda Fruhvirtova in the second round. Fruhvirtova fought back from a set down to defeat 66th ranked Romanian Ana Bogdan 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 to post her first Grand Slam main draw win. Fruhvirtova is not the only teen who qualified for the main draw. Alina Korneeva downed Sara Sorribes Tormo to enter the 2nd round where she will play 10th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Head-to-head records

Matches – 0

Aryna Sabalenka – 0

Brenda Fruhvirtova – 0

Sabalenka and Fruhvirtova will be playing each other for the first time in the ongoing Australian Open 2024. Brenda Fruhvirtova got through qualifying dropping only one set. Sabalenka took part in the Brisbane International and reached the final. She lost to 2023 Australian Open finalist Brisbane Elena Rybakina in straight sets.

Indian Sports Live Coverage on Khel Now

Where and how to watch live streaming and TV broadcast of Aryna Sabalenka vs Brenda Fruhvirtova, Australian Open 2024, second round match in India?

The broadcast rights of the 2024 Australian Open are with Sony Network and the broadcaster has multiple options for tennis fans looking to tune in on the tennis action. Sony Networks bouquet of channels comprising of sony ten in both standard and high definition as well the SonyLiv streaming service will keep tennis fans happy during the next fortnight.

Prediction

Sabalenka will be the favourite to win given her aggressive playing style and her experience when compared to the newcomer. The World No. 2 has a 35-9 win-loss record in 2023 on hard courts and 55-14 overall. Fruhvirtova boasts of an impressive 49-9 overall, but with most of those wins coming on clay (39-4), it is unlikely that the czech will be able to do much to stall Sabalenka’s progress.

Fruhvirtova does have the mental fortitude as seen in her first-round match against Ana Bogdan where she came back from a set down to win in 2 hours, nineteen minutes. The 33 winners sent down by Fruhvirtova played a crucial role in her victory.

Result: Sabalenka to win in straight sets.

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