Australian Open 2022: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Samantha Stosur preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: (10) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Samantha Stosur
Date: 19 January 2022
Tournament: Australian Open 2022
Round: Second round (Round of 64)
Venue: Melbourne, Australia
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt
Match timing: Approx. 1.15 p.m. local time, 2.15 a.m. GMT, 7.45 a.m. IST
Prize money: $75,000,000
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Eurosport | India - Sony Six, Sony Liv
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Samantha Stosur preview
The second round of the 2022 Australian Open will see two experienced players -- Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Samantha Stosur -- clash in an exciting matchup on Thursday.
Pavlyuchenkova, the 10th seed, made a solid start to her campaign with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 win over Anna Bondar in her opening match. A three-time quarterfinalist at Melbourne Park, the Russian will now be looking to build on her first-round win.
Samantha Stosur, meanwhile, notched up a three-set win over American Robin Anderson. The former Australian No. 1 is playing in her last Grand Slam singles event. She was visibly emotional after receiving a warm reception from the home crowd at the end of the encounter.
The Aussie has made it past the second round of her home Slam on only half a dozen occasions and faces a tough test in the form of Pavlyuchenkova.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Samantha Stosur head-to-head
Samantha Stosur leads Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 5-4 in their current head-to-head. The Aussie has won the duo's past two meetings, but they have not met in nearly four years.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Samantha Stosur prediction
The duo's head-to-head record notwithstanding, Pavlyuchenkova will enter this contest as the heavy favorite. The Russian has had her fair share of troubles against Stosur, but most of the duo's meetings came at a time when the Aussie was at her peak.
At her best, Stosur possesses one of the most effective serves and forehands on the women's tour. That said, the 37-year-old has focussed more on her doubles career in recent years, while having struggled to string together consistent results in singles.
Pavlyuchenkova, on the other hand, has been on an ascent of late. The Russian peaked during the 2021 season, reaching her maiden Grand Slam final and achieving her highest singles ranking of No. 11.
A former junior No. 1, the Russian always possessed the weapons -- in the form of her explosive groundstrokes -- to beat any opponent. But it was her improved mindset that helped her unleash her full potential.
This match is likely to be on Pavlyuchenkova's racket. She will still need to be wary of Stosur's strengths, her forehand and forecourt skills in particular. If she can maintain a steady level, the 10th seed should be able to come through unscathed.
Prediction: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to win in straight sets