Dubai Open 2023: Victoria Azarenka vs Amanda Anisimova preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (15) Victoria Azarenka vs Amanda Anisimova
Date: 21 February, 2023
Tournament: Dubai Tennis Championships 2023
Round: Second round (round of 32)
Venue: Aviation Club Tennis Center, Dubai
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt
Prize money: $2,788,468
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Victoria Azarenka vs Amanda Anisimova preview
15th seed Victoria Azarenka will take on Amanda Anisimova in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Azarenka has won nine out of 13 matches so far this season, most notably reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open, where she beat Jessica Pegula in the process. The former World No. 1 then competed at the Qatar Open and reached the second round after beating Ipek Oz 6-1, 6-1. Here, she lost 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 to Belinda Bencic.
Amanda Anisimova started the 2023 season with a first-round exit at the Adelaide International 1. She then reached the second round of the Adelaide International 2 before losing 6-4, 7-5 to Beatriz Haddad Maia.
Anisimova followed this up with a disappointing opening-round exit at the Australian Open, losing 6-3, 6-4 to Marta Kostyuk. She then entered the Dubai Tennis Championships and booked her place in the second round by beating Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 6-2.
Victoria Azarenka vs Amanda Anisimova head-to-head
Anisimova leads 1-0 in the head-to-head against Azarenka, having previously beaten the Belarusian 6-1, 6-4 at last year's Madrid Open.
Victoria Azarenka vs Amanda Anisimova odds
Odds will be updated when available
Victoria Azarenka vs Amanda Anisimova prediction
Azarenka will enter the match as the favorite to win but Anisimova should not be written off as she is capable of giving the Belarusian a run for her money on her day.
Azarenka has had a very promising start to the season and she will be in good spirits entering the match. She will look to make the most out of her powerful groundstrokes and her defensive qualities will come in pretty handy too.
Azarenka has looked a lot more composed on the court lately and holding her nerve will be crucial if she is to have a good run in Dubai. She has a strong serve but will be put to the test by Anisimova's returning skills.
The American deploys an aggressive style and will have to be as offensive as she can while also not hitting too many unforced errors. Her stamina and on-court movement will be pretty useful in dealing with Azarenka's intensity.
While Anisimova is a pretty talented player, Azarenka is the superior player considering her recent form and should be able to book her place in the third round.
Pick: Azarenka to win in straight sets.