Mirra Andreeva vs Donna Vekic Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Vekic to cover vs Adelaide champion

Andrew Hendrie

Editor

Last updated: Sun 18 Jan 2026 23:52

Andrew Hendrie 18 Jan 2026

Share this article

Mirra Andreeva vs Donna Vekic predictions for Monday's Australian Open R1 match
Andreeva coming off run to Adelaide title last week, but still under pressure
Vekic has a solid record at the AO and 17 top 10 scalps under her belt
The match is scheduled to start around 7.00pm AEDT on Monday January 19

Expired

Donna Vekic (Photo by Getty Images)

Mirra Andreeva vs Donna Vekic Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Adelaide champion Mirra Andreeva has a potentially tough assignment in her Australian Open first round when she takes on former top 20 player Donna Vekic on Monday night.

Mirra Andreeva vs Donna Vekic Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Andreeva vs Vekic Stats & Trends
Andreeva vs Vekic Head To Head
Mirra Andreeva Form Analysis
Donna Vekic Form Analysis
Andreeva vs Vekic Live Stream

Teenage star Andreeva is under a lot of pressure to begin 2026 after a disappointing back half of last season, but she's responded well, taking home the Adelaide silverware last week without dropping a set. However, replicating that at a major is another story and I'm not totally convinced Andreeva is back to her best. Vekic is a very experienced player and is no stranger to deep runs at slams and top 10 scalps, making the semi-finals of Wimbledon and defeating 17 of the game's elite throughout her career.

Vekic also has a strong Australian Open record, making the second week on three occasions and the quarter-finals in 2023, along with the R16 last year. The Croatian has a big serve and the firepower from the back of the court to hang with anyone - when she's on. Obviously Andreeva has the edge, but their only previous meeting was a close one and Vekic is a proven performer on the big stage. I'll back Vekic to cover a big 5.5 games start, with Andreeva edging it in three.

Andreeva vs Vekic Stats & Trends

Andreeva is 10-1 in R1 of Grand Slams
Vekic has a 16-13 record at the Australian Open
Vekic has a 17-42 record vs top 10 players
Vekic has covered a +5.5 games line in three of her last four Grand Slam matches vs top 10 players
Vekic has covered a +5.5 games line in seven of her last 10 Australian Open matches
Andreeva has gone three sets in four of her last six Australian Open matches
Andreeva has failed to cover a -5.5 games line in five of her last six Australian Open matches

Andreeva vs Vekic Head To Head

Date	Tournament	Round	Surface	Winner	Score
30 Sep 2024	China Open	R3	Hard	Mirra Andreeva	3-6 6-4 6-4

Mirra Andreeva Form Analysis

2026 Record: 6-1
2025 Record: 40-16
Australian Open Record: 6-2
Grand Slam Record: 28-11
Current Ranking: No. 7
Career-High Ranking: No. 5 (2025)

Andreeva showcased last season that her top gear is capable of dominating the WTA Tour, claiming standout victories over Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina during 1000-level title runs in Dubai and Indian Wells.

The central question moving into 2026 is consistency. Sustaining that level week to week remains the final hurdle, but if she achieves it, a major title becomes a realistic expectation.

The 18-year-old’s momentum stalled during the latter half of 2025, as fluctuating form and injury interruptions ultimately denied her a place in the WTA Finals singles field and restricted her to just four wins after Wimbledon.

She has nonetheless begun the new season positively, making the quarter-finals in Brisbane before surging to the Adelaide title last week without dropping more than three games in a set, defeating the likes of Maya Joint, Diana Shnaider and Victoria Mboko.

Donna Vekic Form Analysis

2026 Record: 0-1
2025 Record: 14-23
Australian Open Record: 16-13
Grand Slam Record: 54-48
Current Ranking: No. 72
Career-High Ranking: No. 17 (January 2025)

Vekic hit her career-high ranking after making the fourth round of the Australian Open last year and must have thought cracking the top 10 was a genuine chance.

However, the Croatian only managed to win 11 more matches in the 20 tournaments she played for the remainder of 2025, with her ranking 12 months later dropping outside the top 70.

The 29-year-old did manage to reach the quarter-finals of her last tournament in Chennai, which was the first time she'd made the last eight of an event since the 2024 Olympics.

It hasn't been ideal preparations for this Australian Open, with Vekic losing her only match for 2026 in the opening round of Auckland in three sets to Alexandra Eala.

Andreeva vs Vekic Live Stream

Watch and bet on Mirra Andreeva vs Donna Vekic live Australian Open tennis.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > Australian Open with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.

Verdict

Mirra Andreeva v Donna Vekic

Vekic is a very dangerous player and has proven herself as a big threat to top 10 players. Andreeva is in form after Adelaide, but this could turn into a tricky opening round test.