Madison Keys vs Maria Sakkari
9th January 0000hrs
Tennis – Australian Open – 3rd Round
Pick Keys 2-1 Sets
Bookmaker Ladbrokes
Odds: 16/5 odds taken 18:42 GMT, Wednesday 22 January
This has the look of being a great third round fixture. America’s Madison Keys is the favourite for the match. But here, with her taking on Greek star Maria Sakkari, it looks like an evenly-matched fixture.
Sakkari will certainly bring the heat with her power hitting, so Keys is going to have to be diligently watchful in this third-round match at Melbourne Park.
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Can Keys handle herself against Sakkari’s power?
The start of 2020 has been great for Madison Keys. Well, the American has made it great for herself. She ran all the way to the final of the Brisbane International earlier this month. Along the way she crushed the in-form Danielle Collins, fought back from dropping the opening set against Petra Kvitova and then pushed Karolina Pliskova to three sets in the final.
With Keys having banked straight-sets wins in the first and second round of the Australian Open 2020, then she’s a good pick for this contest. She beat Daria Kasatkina in the opening round, dropping only four games, before smashing her way past Arantxa Rusa in the second round. She needed a tie break to wrap up the first set in that fixture, but then rapidly won the second set with ease.
Keys is a former Australian Open semi finalist. That best ever result result which she took at Melbourne Park happened in 2015. It means that in her last four appearance at the Australian Open, Keys has made it to at least the fourth round. The early season form that she has delivered puts her in a very good spot, although this is a tricky opponent that she is taking on.
Sakkari is a threat, but likely to fall short
Greek star Maria Sakkari is ranked 23rd in the world, one place beneath her career best spot of October last year. She is a powerhouse and has done superbly well over the last couple of years to establish herself. The Australian Open is the third tournament of the year for her, but while she is a tough opponent to knock down, she won one of three matches before this Melbourne Park action.
She was dumped out in the first round of the Brisbane International in early January, losing in three sets against reigning Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka. Then she saw herself fall in the second round of Adelaide against Donna Vekic. Sakkari has won both of her matches at Melbourne Park without having dropped as set.
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She’s a wonderful hitter of the ball, but sometimes her power comes at the expense of accuracy. Her record at the Australian Open is pretty consistent and she has been to the round of 32 in two of her last three appearances there. She made the round of 32 in three of the four Grand Slams last season as well.
Madison Keys vs Maria Sakkari Betting Advice
There is a lot to enjoy about Sakkari, because she is bold and stacked with power hitting. But when it comes to craft and guile, then Keys takes it. This does have the look of being match that will need all three sets played to be settled.
Key Facts – Madison Keys vs Maria Sakkari Betting Tip
- Madison Keys was an Australian Open semi finalist in 2015
- Madison Keys reached the final of Brisbane earlier this month
- Maria Sakkari has not been past the round of 32 at a Slam
The form that Madison Keys has produced so far in the year means that she has to be regarded as the pick for this contest. She battled her way wonderfully through some really tough matches in Brisbane and that match sharpness has clearly carried over to Melbourne Park. She can outlast Sakkari.
The best betting odds for Madison Keys vs Maria Sakkari
Madison Keys to win: 4/11 at Bet365
Maria Sakkari: 11/5 at Bet365
