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Match Details
Fixture: (9) Barbora Krejcikova vs [WC] Mai Hontama
Date: Sunday, January 14, 2024
Tournament: Australian Open 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 128)
Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Outdoor hard
Prize money: $39,264,000
Live telecast: USA - ESPN, Tennis Channel | Australia - Nine Network, Stan Sport | India and Indian Subcontinent - Sony Sports Network
Barbora Krejcikova vs Mai Hontama preview
Former Roland Garros winner Barbora Krejcikova will face Japan's Mai Hontama in the first round of the 2024 Australian Open on Sunday.
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Krejcikova has dealt with several injuries since winning her maiden Major title at the 2021 French Open. The former World No. 2 missed a couple of months during the 2022 WTA Tour season due to an elbow injury. When she returned, she couldn't play her best tennis as her ranking fell outside the Top 20.
Not to be deterred, the Czech worked hard in 2023 and bagged several rewards, winning two titles and breaking into the women's Top 10 again. She, however, hasn't had the ideal start to her season this year, losing to Russian qualifier Anna Kalinskaya in three sets in the first round of the Adelaide International.
Mai Hontama, meanwhile, mostly competes on the ITF circuit. The 24-year-old's last WTA Tour-level appearance came at last year's Pan Pacific Open, where she put up a good display against World No. 1 Iga Swiatek but eventually lost in straight sets.
Although Hontama is ranked 122nd in the world, she received a wildcard into the main draw in Melbourne as she is the highest-ranked player from the Asia-Pacific region who did not make the rankings cut for the Major.
Barbora Krejcikova vs Mai Hontama head-to-head
The two players are yet to meet on the WTA Tour, so their head-to-head record stands at 0-0.
Barbora Krejcikova vs Mai Hontama odds
The odds will be updated when they are released.
Barbora Krejcikova vs Mai Hontama prediction
Barbora Krejcikova has established herself as one of the best shotmakers on the women's tour. Known for her controlled aggression, the 28-year-old has impeccable consistency on her groundstrokes. She also has a wide array of shots in her repertoire, including lobs, surprise volleys and angled serves.
Hontama, on the other hand, is not as dynamic as the ninth seed. However, she can hold her own during baseline exchanges with a strong double-handed backhand and good footspeed. Having said that, she lacks her older opponent's skills and the experience.
Krejcikova is well-rested for this year's Melbourne Slam and can end up going quite deep, provided her game doesn't face hiccups during her opener against the Japanese wildcard.
Pick: Barbora Krejcikova in straight sets.
