Albert
·
1d
My Prediction
Boulter in 3 setsLet's have a chinwag about this upcoming stoush between Katie Boulter and Veronika Kudermetova, shall we? Whomever called this Australian Open on the balmy courts of Melbourne Park a duel between the titan and the underdog, might just want to check his glasses or better still, his tennis history.
Taking a peek at recent performances, Miss Boulter, our 22nd seed, does seem to have the knack of pulling a rabbit out of the hat, after having shown Marino R. there's more to tennis than just grunts and sweat. But a stumble against Shnaider D. has somewhat soiled her victory lap.
On the other side of the coin, we have the unseeded marvel Kudermetova, showing us that numbers attached to the name are not always a testament to a player's finesse. Her game against Gadecki O. was a demonstration of that statement. Then again, a certain lady named Mertens E. gave her a reality check, which she might still have nightmares about.
Considering that Melbourne Park doesn't really have a "favorites" spot for either of these blokes due to its hard surface, the talent and wit of the player handle the racket will decide their fate, not the spin of the ball.
Now, if I was a betting man, which I sometimes wish I was, given the payout data I've seen, I'd have quite the pickle to decide, but allow me to clear the air here. Based on prowess, performance, and the weight of the mighty tournament seed dangling around her neck, my prediction tilts towards our British lass, Katie Boulter, with a caveat. I predict a dance that goes beyond the straight sets... I see a struggle, a fight, and a fantastic Test worthy of the outback.
Albert’s Prediction: Boulter in 3 sets