Roland Garros: Victoria Azarenka vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova preview, head-to-head & prediction | French Open 2020
Match details
Fixture: (10) Victoria Azarenka vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova
Date: 30 September 2020
Tournament: Roland Garros 2020
Round: Second round (Round of 64)
Venue: Paris, France
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Red clay
Prize money: Approx. €38,000,000
Match timing: 11 am CEST, 2.30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - NBC / Tennis Channel | India - Star Sports / Disney+ Hotstar VIP
Also check out: The Complete French Open 2020 Schedule
Victoria Azarenka vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova preview
10th seed Victoria Azarenka will look to make the third round of French Open 2020 when she takes on World No. 161 Anna Karolina Schmiedlova on Wednesday.
Seeded at a Slam for the first time since becoming a mother, the former World No. 1 faced a bigger threat from the cold conditions in Paris during her first-round match than from her opponent.
The two-time Grand Slam champion let her frustration known when she refused to wait on the court during a rain delay, with the temperature showing 8 degrees Celsius. But the Belarusian used the interruption to regroup mentally, stamping her authority all over the court once the match resumed.
Azarenka won 6-1, 6-2, in the process showing everyone how well she was able to adapt to the conditions despite the initial annoyance with the weather. That was very much in tune with the sterling form that the two-time Australian Open champion has been displaying ever since the tour restarted.
With a title at the Western & Southern Open and a runner-up finish at the US Open, Azarenka looks determined to make yet another deep run at Roland Garros.
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova had produced a brilliant performance back in 2014 to oust seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams from the French Open in the second round. The two met again six years later - earlier this week - though this time it was a round early. The result, however, remained the same.
Schmiedlova earned her second Grand Slam victory over the former World No. 1 with a 6-4, 6-4 scoreline.
It was a messy match that witnessed 10 breaks of serve, but the fact that Schmiedlova was still able to eke out a win would be a huge confidence boost for her. Having reached the quarterfinals only once in the eight tournaments she has played this year, the win over Venus Williams was a much-needed one for the 26-year-old.
Victoria Azarenka vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova head-to-head
Victoria Azarenka and Anna Karolina Schmiedlova have never faced each other so far. Their head-to-head record currently stands at 0-0.
Victoria Azarenka vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova prediction
While Schmiedlova won against Venus Williams in straight sets, it must be noted that she was aided by a plethora of unforced errors from the 40-year-old. Williams made 47 unforced errors and was able to produce just 27 winners, which tilted the match in Schmiedlova's favor.
The Slovak shouldn't expect the same from the resurgent Azarenka, who has been striking the ball with power and precision. The World No. 14 will also benefit from the cold conditions which are expected to aid big hitters.
Schmiedlova does possess some fluid strokes in her arsenal as well. But to keep up the intensity against an efficient returner like Azarenka would be a monumental task.
Prediction: Victoria Azarenka to win in straight sets.
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