hero-image

Dubai Tennis Championships 2023: Victoria Azarenka vs Madison Keys preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick

Match Details

Fixture: (15) Victoria Azarenka vs Madison Keys

Date: February 22, 2023

Tournament: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2023

Round: Third round (Round of 16)

Venue: Aviation Club Tennis Center, Dubai, UAE

Category: WTA 1000

Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt

Match timing: Approx 1.30 pm local time, 9.30 am GMT, 4.30 am EST, 3 pm IST

Prize money: $2,788,468

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video


Victoria Azarenka vs Madison Keys preview

Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka faces former US Open runner-up Madison Keys in the Round of 16 in Dubai on Wednesday.

Azarenka has made a commendable start to the 2023 season. She reached the quarterfinals in her first tournament of the year — the Adelaide International 1. Although the former World No. 1 suffered a first-round exit the very next week at the Adelaide International 2, she rebounded in spectacular fashion with a brilliant run to the semifinals of the Australian Open.

Azarenka then fell in a tight three-setter to Abu Dhabi champion Belinda Bencic in the pre-quarterfinals in Doha last week.

Back in Dubai, a tournament where she reached the final in 2010, the World No. 14 has now won two matches in a row to make the last 16. Azarenka's latest victory wasn't easy. Trailing Amanda Anisimova 3-5 in the decider, the 15th seed came storming back to win 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5).

Madison Keys strikes the ball in Dubai
Madison Keys strikes the ball in Dubai

Madison Keys, meanwhile, went on a five-match unbeaten run to guide Team USA to the United Cup title at the start of the year. At the Australian Open thereafter, she was stopped by none other than Victoria Azarenka in three sets in the third round.

Keys then succumbed to a first-round defeat at the hands of former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko at the Qatar Open last week.

The World No. 23 has now registered a couple of straight-sets wins to reach the pre-quarterfinals in Dubai, with her most recent victory being an upset of fourth seed Caroline Garcia.


Victoria Azarenka vs Madison Keys head-to-head

Azarenka has a flawless 4-0 record against Keys in their head-to-head. The Belarusian came through 1-6, 6-2, 6-1 in their most recent encounter in the third round of the 2023 Australian Open.


Victoria Azarenka vs Madison Keys odds

PlayerMoneylineHandicap Bets
Victoria Azarenka-145-1.5 (-125)
Madison Keys+110+1.5 (-110)

(Odds sourced from oddschecker.com)


Victoria Azarenka vs Madison Keys prediction

Azarenka serves in Dubai
Azarenka serves in Dubai

The Belarusian's solid backhand returns are highly effective in breaking down Keys' aggressive game. However, the former World No. 1 does struggle to maintain the depth on her strokes these days. Should that happen again, the big-hitting Keys won't hesitate to blast it away for a winner.

Azarenka also has to take care of her serve to make a strong start against Keys. She coughed up seven double faults and dropped her serve seven times against Anisimova in the previous round. A repeat of that will automatically hand over the advantage to the World No. 23.

That said, Azarenka has been consistent so far this year. Given her recent form and her record over Keys, she should be able to come through this contest.

Pick: Victoria Azarenka to win in three sets.

You may also like