Victoria Azarenka vs Panna Udvardy – First Round – Preview & Prediction | 2022 Australian Open
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THE FACTS
When is Victoria Azarenka vs Panna Udvardy on and what time does it start? Victoria Azarenka vs Panna Udvardy will take place on Monday 17th January, 2022 – not before 04:00 (UK)
Where is Victoria Azarenka vs Panna Udvardy taking place? Victoria Azarenka vs Panna Udvardy will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
What surface is Victoria Azarenka vs Panna Udvardy being played on? Victoria Azarenka vs Panna Udvardy will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Victoria Azarenka vs Panna Udvardy? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Victoria Azarenka vs Panna Udvardy
What channel is Victoria Azarenka vs Panna Udvardy on in the UK? Victoria Azarenka vs Panna Udvardy will be televised live on Eurosport
Where can I stream Victoria Azarenka vs Panna Udvardy in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Victoria Azarenka vs Panna Udvardy live on their website, while Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live on Sky Go
THE LOWDOWN
VICTORIA AZARENKA
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka started the year off to a flier with a revenge win over Paula Badosa in Adelaide after the Spaniard beat her in the Indian Wells final last year. The former world number one has failed to make it past the first round in Melbourne in each of her last two appearances but she will be a big threat this year off the back of some excellent form late last year. The 32-year-old’s most recent of 21 career WTA titles came at the Western & Southern Masters in 2020.
PANNA UDVARDY
23-year-old Panna Udvardy set a career-high WTA world ranking of 94th last December after a successful season spent mostly on the ITF and Challenger circuits. The Hungarian will make her Grand Slam debut here in Melbourne.
THE PREDICTION
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka has stumbled at the first hurdle of her last two campaigns here in defeats by Jessica Pegula last year and Laura Siegemund in 2019 but she has a much kinder draw here in Grand Slam debutant Panna Udvardy. The 23-year-old enjoyed a run to the Hungarian Grand Prix as a wildcard there but her two wins over Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Mayar Sherif were her only tour-level victories all season long. Azarenka is running out of time to maintain her threat at major tournaments but the 2020 US Open finalist clearly has more to give and she can start off this time around with a straight-sets win.
