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Match details
Fixture: (7) Iga Swiatek vs (25) Daria Kasatkina
Date: 22 January 2022
Tournament: Australian Open 2022
Round: Third round (Round of 32)
Venue: Melbourne, Australia
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt
Prize money: $75,000,000
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Eurosport | India - Sony Six, Sony Liv
Iga Swiatek vs Daria Kasatkina preview
2020 Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek will square off against Russia's Daria Kasatkina in the third round of the 2022 Australian Open on Saturday.
On a day that began with upsets as title favorites Garbine Muguruza and Anett Kontaveit were knocked out, Swiatek provided some stability. The 20-year-old secured a swift 6-2, 6-2 win over Rebecca Peterson in the second round. This came after a 6-3, 6-0 win over qualifier Harriet Dart in the opening round.
She began the year by reaching the semifinals of the Adelaide International and has carried the momentum into the first Slam of the year.
Daria Kasatkina, meanwhile, scored a 6-2, 6-3 win over Magda Linette to progress to the third round in Melbourne for the first time since 2016. The 24-year-old finished the match with 22 winners to 16 unforced errors and won 85% of her first serve points.
The Russian has made a strong start to the year, reaching the semifinals of the two warm-up events held prior to the start of the Australian Open. She has already defeated two Grand Slam champions this year - Muguruza and Sofia Kenin - and will be aiming to conquer another Grand Slam winner next.
Iga Swiatek vs Daria Kasatkina head-to-head
Kasatkina leads the head-to-head 1-0. She won their only encounter 4-6, 6-0, 6-1 at the 2021 Eastbourne International.
Iga Swiatek vs Daria Kasatkina prediction
Both players are in impeccable form at the moment, so this promises to be a competitive match. Swiatek will have a slight edge due to the fact that she has been the more consistent player over the last year.
Kasatkina's a crafty player, using a variety of shots to disrupt her opponent's rhythm. She tries to win carefully-constructed points rather than simply overpowering her opponents.
Swiatek would do well to hold her own against the Russian. The former Roland Garros champion is a big-hitter and possesses a better serve than Kasatkina.
Kasatkina hasn't been past the third round of the Australian Open yet, and the prospect of doing so for the first time might make her a little nervous. This could tilt the scales in favor of Swiatek, who knows what it takes to make a deep run at a Grand Slam.
Prediction: Iga Swiatek to win in three sets.
Also check out: Complete Australian Open 2022 results
