Kaia Kanepi vs Aryna Sabalenka – Fourth Round – Preview & Prediction | 2022 Australian Open
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THE FACTS
When is Kaia Kanepi vs Aryna Sabalenka on and what time does it start? Kaia Kanepi vs Aryna Sabalenka will take place on Monday 24th January, 2022 – not before 10:00 (UK)
Where is Kaia Kanepi vs Aryna Sabalenka taking place? Kaia Kanepi vs Aryna Sabalenka will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
What surface is Kaia Kanepi vs Aryna Sabalenka being played on? Kaia Kanepi vs Aryna Sabalenka will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Kaia Kanepi vs Aryna Sabalenka? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Kaia Kanepi vs Aryna Sabalenka
What channel is Kaia Kanepi vs Aryna Sabalenka on in the UK? Kaia Kanepi vs Aryna Sabalenka will be televised live on Eurosport
Where can I stream Kaia Kanepi vs Aryna Sabalenka in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Kaia Kanepi vs Aryna Sabalenka live on their website, while Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live on Sky Go
THE LOWDOWN
KAIA KANEPI
36-year-old Kaia Kanepi is through to the round of 16 at the Australian Open for the first time after rallying well to come back from a set down against Aussie wildcard Maddison Inglis. The Estonian veteran shocked an out-of-sorts Angelique Kerber in the first round to start an unlikely run here in Melbourne and she can match her best Grand Slam showing with another win after six previous quarter-finals reached: two each at Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.
ARYNA SABALENKA
World number two Aryna Sabalenka should be proud of her attitude after coming back from a set down for the third time this week with victory over 31st seed Marketa Vondrousova on Saturday. The 23-year-old has struggled wildly with her serve all month long, with her 10 double faults against the Czech her least so far as she tries to play through the problem. Her serve is her greatest weapon, so fighting through to the round of 16 at the Australian Open for a joint-best showing here is mightily impressive. Sabalenka lost in the semi-finals of Wimbledon and the US Open last season.
THE PREDICTION
This looks like the toughest round of 16 match to call across both draws with Kaia Kanepi continuing to prove doubters wrong at 36 years old. The Estonian beat then fourth seed Aryna Sabalenka here last season in the second round over three sets for her customary Grand Slam upset but with Angelique Kerber already beaten here in Melbourne she looks capable of a bonus shock. Sabalenka’s game is slowly improving from its severe downturn since contracting covid-19 last October but she has stuttered and scraped through three rounds and Kanepi will be aiming to start as fast as possible. Sabalenka should be able to come through once again but three sets are likely here and taking that option in lieu of a risky winner looks a sensible move.
