2021 Australian Open Third Round – Veronika Kudermetova vs Simona Halep Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Veronika Kudermetova vs Simona Halep taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne
When is Veronika Kudermetova vs Simona Halep on and what time does it start? Friday 12th February, 2021 – not before 08:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Veronika Kudermetova vs Simona Halep? Click here to reach the official 2021 Australian Open ticket selection
What channel is Veronika Kudermetova vs Simona Halep on? The 2021 Australian Open will be televised on Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedule for this specific match
Where can I stream Veronika Kudermetova vs Simona Halep in the UK? Sky customers can stream this match on the Sky Go app. Alternatively, the match can be streamed to subscribers of Eurosport Player, either on the official website or as an add-on to an Amazon Prime subscription
THE LOWDOWN
VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA
- 23-year-old Veronika Kudermetova is the 32nd-seed here at the Australian Open and has reached the third round with two solid wins over Marta Kostyuk and Varvara Gracheva.
- The world number 36 has matched her best showing at a Grand Slam by reaching the third round, with a three-set defeat to Kaia Kanepi at Roland-Garros in 2019 her last.
SIMONA HALEP
- World number two Simona Halep was forced to dig deep against Australian Ajla Tomljanovic in their second round match, coming back from a set down to just edge past her opponent.
- The Romanian is a two-time Grand Slam champion with wins at Roland-Garros in 2018 and Wimbledon the following year, with her best showing at this major a final in 2018.
THE PREDICTION
After a wake-up call against Ajla Tomljanovic, Simona Halep will likely step up a gear in this third round match. The Romanian rarely takes the easy route through her Grand Slam campaigns but is always at her best with her back to the wall and the world number two is one of several proper title contenders here at this stage Veronika Kudermetova has played well thus far but probably meets Halep for the first time at the wrong time, given her second-round escape. There is plenty to say for both players to take a set here but it is likelier that Halep has taken the shackles off now and can win this in two.
