Karolina Pliskova vs Shuai Zhang – Round of 16 – Preview & Prediction | 2023 Australian Open
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THE FACTS
When is Karolina Pliskova vs Shuai Zhang on and what time does it start? Karolina Pliskova vs Shuai Zhang will take place on Monday 23rd January, 2023 – not before 02:00 (UK)
Where is Karolina Pliskova vs Shuai Zhang taking place? Karolina Pliskova vs Shuai Zhang will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
What surface is Karolina Pliskova vs Shuai Zhang being played on? Karolina Pliskova vs Shuai Zhang will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Karolina Pliskova vs Shuai Zhang? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Karolina Pliskova vs Shuai Zhang
What channel is Karolina Pliskova vs Shuai Zhang on in the UK? Karolina Pliskova vs Shuai Zhang will be televised live on Eurosport
Where can I stream Karolina Pliskova vs Shuai Zhang in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Karolina Pliskova vs Shuai Zhang live on their website, while Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live on Sky Go
THE LOWDOWN
KAROLINA PLISKOVA
Former world number one Karolina Pliskova continues to fly under the radar at the Australian Open but she should be considered a genuine contender now after making the round of 16 without dropping a set. Only Yulia Putintseva has managed to break the 30-year-old’s serve so far this tournament and she was a former US Open finalist whose best results have come on hardcourts. Pliskova set her best exit here in 2019 with a loss in the semi-finals and she has reached the second week in Melbourne for the first time since.
SHUAI ZHANG
34-year-old Shuai Zhang could break the top 20 on tour for the first time next week no matter the outcome here after a straight-sets victory over Katie Volynets. The Chinese star is enjoying a brilliant renaissance late in her career with the best consistency of her life right now having made back-to-back second weeks at Grand Slams for the first time.
THE PREDICTION
Karolina Pliskova has endured some serious peaks and troughs in recent seasons, more than she used to, but the Czech’s immense serve is looking sharp in Melbourne and she should be considered a dark horse at the least. A 7-0 lead over Shuai Zhang in their head-to-head speaks volumes but the Chinese will never have a better chance at getting on the board than right now as she continues to enjoy perhaps the form of her career. The last three meetings between the two have gone to tight three sets, although they have not played since 2018 at Pliskova’s peak. The suitably cautious move looks to be taking Pliskova to earn at least a set as the likelier of two very capable quarter-finalists.
