- Wednesday 3
- Thursday 4
- Friday 5
- Saturday 6
- Sunday 7
- Monday 8
- Tuesday 9
- Wednesday 10
- Thursday 11
- Friday 12
- Saturday 13
Ashleigh Barty vs Danka Kovinic Tips & Live Stream - Barty to cruise into second round
- Ashleigh Barty vs Danka Kovinic preview and predictions for Tuesday’s Australian Open match.
- Barty won last week’s Yarra Valley Classic in impressive style
- The world no. 1 should beat Kovinic in straight sets
- Match preview, predictions and live stream information.
Ashleigh Barty faces Danka Kovinic in the first round of the Australian Open (Getty Images)
Ashleigh Barty vs Danka Kovinic Tips
A semifinalist at the Australian Open in 2020, Ashleigh Barty is hoping to go at least one better in 2021.
After missing the remainder of the 2020 season when the sport was shut down last March, Barty started 2021 brilliantly by winning the Yarra Valley Classic. She faces Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic in the first round.
- Barty has not lost in the first round of her home major in seven years
- Barty has won at least 70% of points behind her first serve in all her 2021 matches
- Kovinic is 2-5 vs top-10 players and both her wins came on clay
- The Montenegrin is 58-83 in hard-court WTA-level matches
Head to Head
This will be the first meeting between Ashleigh Barty and Danka Kovinic.
Ashleigh Barty Form
World no. 1 Barty was expected to be rusty after spending 11 months off the court due to the pandemic. But she looked refreshed and in great form at her only warm-up tournament.
Barty benefited from a semifinal walkover from Serena Williams, but scored an impressive win over Garbine Muguruza in the final.
The Aussie came back from an early break to beat Muguruza 7-6(3), 6-4, avenging her loss to Muguruza in last year’s Australian Open semifinals.
Barty hasn’t lost before the third round in Melbourne since returning from her early-career hiatus in 2017 and is expected to go deep in the draw this fortnight.
Danka Kovinic Form
Kovinic has a much better record on clay (47-37) than on hard courts (58-83), and both of her wins against top-10 players have come on clay courts. She has only ever won one set against a top-10 player on a hard court, and that was five years ago.
The hard-hitting Kovinic also has a 5-14 record in Grand Slam matches. After going 9-9 in 2020, Kovinic lost to Karolina Muchova in Abu Dhabi and Jelena Ostapenko in Melbourne last week to start 2021.
If this match were being played on clay courts, Kovinic would have a much better chance of challenging Barty but on hard courts it’s unlikely.
Ashleigh Barty vs Danka Kovinic FAQs
Where can I watch a Ashleigh Barty vs Danka Kovinic live stream?
Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the Ashleigh Barty vs Danka Kovinic live stream.
What round of the Australian Open is Ashleigh Barty vs Danka Kovinic?
Ashleigh Barty and Danka Kovinic are meeting in the first round of the Australian Open.
Verdict
Barty and Kovinic have never played but Barty is a much better hard-court player. On good form after winning last week’s Yarra Valley Classic, Barty should be able to get off to a winning start.
