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Match details
Fixture: (14) Garbine Muguruza vs (LL) Margarita Gasparyan
Date: 9 February 2021
Tournament: Australian Open 2021
Round: First round (Round of 128)
Venue: Melbourne, Australia
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize money: AUD 80 million
Match timing: 11 am local time, 5:30 am IST
Live telecast: USA - ESPN / Tennis Channel | India - Sony Six
Garbine Muguruza vs Margarita Gasparyan preview
Garbine Muguruza had the perfect build-up to the year's first Slam, reaching the final of the warm-up tournament in Melbourne. And while she did go down to Ashleigh Barty in the summit clash, she would still be happy with her performance.
The Spaniard will open her Australian Open campaign with a first-round encounter against Russia's Margarita Gasparyan.
Gasparyan played in the Australian Open qualifiers held in Dubai but lost in the final round to Tsvetana Pironkova. She was awarded an entry into the main draw as a lucky loser, and will be keen to make the best of the opportunity.
The Russian has a solid baseline-oriented game that is well-suited to the hardcourts in Melbourne. She made it to the fourth round of the Australian Open in 2016, which remains her best Grand Slam performance to date.
To be able to match that result though, the 26-year-old will have to bring her A-game to the court this week.
Garbine Muguruza vs Margarita Gasparyan head-to-head
Garbine Muguruza leads Margarita Gasparyan in the head-to-head record with a slender 1-0 margin. The Spaniard earned a hard-fought three-set win over Gasparyan at the 2019 Monterrey Open.
Garbine Muguruza vs Margarita Gasparyan prediction
Garbine Muguruza was in menacing form throughout the week at the Yarra Valley Classic, and enters this contest as a firm favorite. As a finalist from last year, the two-time Grand Slam champion also has a lot to play for.
The Spaniard will look to establish her presence early in the match, and the onus to maintain a competitive scoreline will be on Gasparyan. A good start is absolutely crucial for the Russian as she cannot afford to fall behind early.
If Gasparyan can protect her serve, the pressure is likely to shift on to the shoulders of the higher seed. And it is in these types of tight situations that Muguruza has shown signs of vulnerability in the recent past.
But given the fact that she is coming into this tournament with a lot of confidence, it will be a difficult task for Gasparyan to cause an upset.
Prediction: Garbine Muguruza to win in two tight sets
