Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Timofeeva Preview & Prediction | 2024 Australian Open | Round of 16
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THE FACTS
When is Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Timofeeva on and what time does it start? Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Timofeeva will take place on Sunday 21st January, 2024 – not before 02:00 (UK)
Where is Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Timofeeva taking place? Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Timofeeva will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
What surface is Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Timofeeva being played on? Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Timofeeva will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Timofeeva? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Timofeeva
What channel is Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Timofeeva on in the UK? Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Timofeeva will be televised live on Eurosport
Where can I stream Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Timofeeva in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Timofeeva live on their website
THE LOWDOWN
MARTA KOSTYUK
21-year-old Marta Kostyuk came back from a set down to beat Elina Avanesyan on Friday, reaching the round of 16 at the Australian Open for the first time after making the third round three times before. The Ukrainian has been more outspoken than most about the war in her country and whilst it is limiting to call on that extra motivation she has been thoroughly impressive against Russian players since the start of last season, notably beating Varvara Gracheva to her maiden WTA title in Austin last March. Kostyuk will set a new career-high WTA world ranking of around 31st for her efforts so far, matching her best Grand Slam showing to date after she made the round of 16 at Roland-Garros in 2021.
MARIA TIMOFEEVA
20-year-old Maria Timofeeva has reached the round of 16 on her Grand Slam debut after stunning former number 11 Alize Cornet, 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki and 10th seed Beatriz Haddad-Maia. The Russian won the Hungarian Open on her tour debut last summer to look an up-and-comer but this remarkable effort in Melbourne proves that winning mentality was no fluke as she takes the momentum of qualifying through to this wide-open clash.
THE PREDICTION
This will be a difficult tightrope for the Melbourne crowds to traverse as popular Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk takes on Russia’s Maria Timofeeva, who would be backed well as the severe underdog on her debut run against any other nationality. 21-year-old Marta Kostyuk has been forced to do a lot of maturing over the past two seasons, speaking inspirationally about the plight in her homeland, and she is the likelier of two very promising youngsters to cope with a likely awkward atmosphere in this match. Timofeeva, however, has yet to lose in a tournament in which she has won a match – with defeat in the first round of the Hamburg Open her only tour-level loss yet. There are almost too many surprising narratives to follow in Melbourne this fortnight but Timofeeva’s victories over Wozniacki and Haddad-Maia stand up to be counted in this first meeting with Kostyuk, who has dropped sets in all three of her matches so far. Back Timofeeva to earn at least a set to leave the victor up to chance.
TIP: MARIA TIMOFEEVA TO WIN A SET
