Analysis for Benesova-Bratchikova (WTA Australian Open)

Head-to-head record 0:0

Russian qualifier Nina Bratchikova will fight Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic in the third round. Benesova has achieved her career best results on clay but slow hard courts are suited to her game as well. She uses extreme topspin on her forehand and slower topspin and slice on her backhand. She is a patient baseliner who wins matches by disrupting her opponents' rhythm through changes of spin, pace, depth, height, and angle. Her current form looks just ok but her best years are probably gone. She surprised by beating Shuai Peng in the second round but we are still not convinced she should be such a big favourite here. Her opponent will be Russian Bratchikova who plays her career best tennis right now. She began the year in a great style coming through the qualifiers in Brisbane to be eliminated in the second round of the main draw by Jelena Jankovic. In Hobart, she was defeated in the third round of qualifiers but she lost to eventual winner Mona Barthel after a great performance in 3 sets. Here in Melbourne, she came through the quallies once again without losing a single set and shocked in the first round by beating Flavia Pennetta. In the second, she demolished Brianti and just confirmed high confidence and good form. We think her run can continue and she have enough to beat Benesova here. Anything above 2.5 if good enough to take.