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Elena Rybakina vs Zhang Shuai Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Rybakina to blitz Zhang in Brisbane opener

andrew-hendrie
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Last updated: Tue 06 Jan 2026 01:08

Elena Rybakina begins her title defense at the Brisbane International against Zhang Shuai. The Kazakh tennis star enters the tournament after clinching the WTA Finals, experiencing an 11-match winning streak. Rybakina's commanding performances, highlighted by victories over top players like Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, assert her as a favorite not just in Brisbane but also for the upcoming Australian Open. Zhang, despite overcoming a career-low 24-match losing streak, presents a significant challenge, having ascended back into the top 100. Tune in for live streaming of this exciting encounter.

Andrew Hendrie 06 Jan 2026
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  • Elena Rybakina vs Zhang Shuai predictions for Tuesday's WTA Brisbane R2 match
  • Rybakina on an 11-match winning streak after WTA Finals triumph late last year
  • Zhang struggles against top 10 opponents outside of Asia
  • The match is scheduled to start around 9.30pm AEDT on Tuesday January 6
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Elena Rybakina Brisbane
Elena Rybakina (Photo by Getty Images)


Elena Rybakina vs Zhang Shuai Tips, Prediction & Live Stream


Elena Rybakina begins her pursuit of a second Brisbane International title when she comes up against qualifier Zhang Shuai in the second round on Tuesday night.

I'm really keen to see what Rybakina does during the Aussie summer. She had a turbulent little period there with injuries and off-court drama, but the Kazakh looks settled and arrives at this tournament following one of her greatest career triumphs - taking out the WTA Finals silverware at the end of 2025. Rybakina won five matches against fellow top 10 players - including Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek - to lift the trophy and has got to be considered amongst the leading contenders not just for the Brisbane title, but also the Australian Open later this month. Zhang meanwhile has done well to rebuild her career from a shocking 24-match losing streak, clawing her way back into the top 100 and having already won three matches in Brisbane from qualifying and her opening round, she's well and truly into her 2026 season.

However, I'm backing Rybakina to win this in routine fashion. The 26-year-old didn't drop more than four games in a set when she won the Brisbane title in her only previous appearance in 2024, while she's coming off an amazing run of form to win the WTA Finals. Rybakina's powerful brand of tennis and serving should prove far too hot for Zhang to handle. 
  • Rybakina went 24-6 vs players outside the top 50 in 2025
  • Rybakina has a 106-21 record vs players outside the top 75
  • Rybakina covered a -5.5 games line and saw Under 19.5 total games in all five of her previous Brisbane matches when she won the title in 2024
  • Rybakina is on an 11-match winning streak
  • Rybakina hasn't lost a R1 match since Miami in March 2025
  • Zhang has only beaten one top 50 player outside of Asia since the 2025 Australian Open
  • Zhang only has one top 10 win outside of Asia since January 2016

Rybakina vs Zhang Head To Head

This will be the first meeting between the pair since the 2022 Australian Open, which Zhang won via retirement. Rybakina won the two other encounters in straight sets.

TournamentRoundWinnerScore
Australian Open (2022)Second RoundZhang Shuai6–4, 1–0 ret.
Internationaux de Strasbourg (2020)Quarter-finalElena Rybakina6–3, 6–2
Hobart International (2020)First RoundElena Rybakina7–6(7), 6–3

Elena Rybakina Form Analysis

  • 2025 Record: 59-19
  • WTA Brisbane Record: 5-0

Nobody arrives in 2026 in hotter form than Rybakina, who produced some sizzling tennis to finish off 2025 by capturing the WTA Finals title for the first time.

The former Wimbledon champion saved her best tennis for the end of the year, where she conquered Amanda Anisimova, Iga Swiatek, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka to secure the silverware.

Rybakina only confirmed her spot at the WTA Finals by winning the title in Ningbo a month prior, so she comes into 2026 on an 11-match winning streak in competitive matches.

The Kazakh was on fire in her only other appearance in Brisbane in 2024, blitzing all of her opponents in straight sets - including a 6-0 6-3 demolition of Sabalenka in the final.

Zhang Shuai Form Analysis

  • 2026 Record: 1-0
  • 2025 Record: 10-9
  • WTA Brisbane Record: 1-2

Zhang deserves immense credit for clawing herself back into the top 100 after a 24-match losing streak - the longest ever recorded at tour-level in professional tennis.

The Chinese veteran won three ITF titles in 2025, along with reaching the semi-finals of Guangzhou and third rounds in Beijing and Wuhan.

Zhang hasn't really had much of an off-season, deciding to play in the WTA 125k tournaments in Angers and Limoges in December, where she made the second round of both.

The 36-year-old has enjoyed a great start to 2026, qualifying for the Brisbane main draw with victories over Fiona Ferro and Taylah Preston before a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 victory against World No. 49 Ashlyn Krueger in the opening round of the main draw - Zhang's first top 50 scalp outside Asia in almost 12 months.

Rybakina vs Zhang Live Stream

Watch and bet on Elena Rybakina vs Zhang Shuai live WTA Brisbane tennis.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > WTA Brisbane 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

Rybakina crushed all of her opponents to win the Brisbane title in 2024 and she's coming off a WTA Finals triumph to finish off 2025 - she should be winning this with minimal fuss.

Best Bet1: Under 19.5 Total Games $1.77 at dabble - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Rybakina -5.5 Games Line $1.88 at dabble - 2 Units
Under 19.5
Total Games
$1.77 - 3 Units
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Bet at dabble
Rybakina -5.5
Games Line
$1.88 - 2 Units
Download the dabble app
with referral code BETSAU

Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

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Elena Rybakina v Zhang Shuai