“The match will take place on January 17, the approximate start time of the game is at 03:30 Kyiv time”, — write: sport.ua
In the 3rd round, the Ukrainian will play against the 12th ranked player in the world Paula Badosa (Spain, WTA 12). Estimated start time of the game is 03:30 Kyiv time.
Sport.ua will conduct a video broadcast of the match.
Marta Kostyuk
The Ukrainian tennis player had to pass the first two rounds. And she did, defeating Nao Hibino and Jule Niemeyer.
If there were certain problems with Hibino in the form of a lost first set, the Ukrainian simply destroyed Niemeyer with a score of 6:3, 6:0. But with statistical indicators, not everything is perfect. Yes, 78% of points won on the first serve, but only 44% on the second. Yes, 14 winners, but 17 enforcers. Good thing only 4 double faults.
Niemeyer helped Marta a lot for her such a crushing victory. For example, 31 unforced errors. However, Marta still looked very confident and probably believed in herself, because she practically did not show any unnecessary emotions.
All the same, the warm-up is over for Kostyuk. The Ukrainian assured that she failed in Brisbane and Adelaide due to a muscle tear, which prevented her from having a quality pre-season. Well, for all 4 matches Kostyuk did not take a medical time-out, so everything is fine with her health. And in principle, there are no questions about the quality of the game.
Marta needs to defend last year’s quarter-final. There are two matches left to win. After Badosa, Jessica Pegula is possible. So far, Marta’s chances for two consecutive victories over top tennis players are illusory, but anything is possible. Sobolenko, Svyontek and Goff will not play against her. So we believe and hope, plus it can be very interesting!
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Marta Kostyuk Paula Bados
Badosa is a tennis player of another echelon. Giving up a set and then believing in a miracle comeback, or allowing the Spaniard to control the game, but eventually win, will not work. Paula is far from the most stable tennis player, but she has a lot of experience in big matches.
The 27-year-old Badosa started the season in Brisbane, where she lost to Elina Avanesyan in the 1st match as a favorite. Next was not the most successful Adelaide – after a three-set victory over Peyton Stearns, she lost to Ashlyn Kruger, also in three games. Then, at the Aus Open, Badosa beat Wang Xia (6:3, 7:6) and Talia Gibson (6:1, 6:0). Talia was very weak, something like Danka Kovinych in a game with Dayana Yastremska.
But the Chinese woman played a good match. And there Badosa did not look like the number one. Yes, a win in two sets, but in large part thanks to 40 aces from Wang Xiu, who tried to make up for her casual 32 winners. Badosa simply served well and played better.
And if Marta tries to dominate in her usual style, then Paula can allow it. For Badosa, as well as for Kostiuk, this will be the first match of the season against a top-20 tennis player. This match will show what the girls are capable of right now in the top games.
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Paula Bados Personal meetings
Earlier, Kostyuk and Badosa had 4 head-to-head confrontations, the score 3:1 in favor of the Spaniard. Paula beat Marta twice on the Melbourne courts (2019 – 3rd round of qualification, 2022 – 1/16 finals) and once in the 3rd round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome in 2023.
Marta’s only victory was won in the 2nd round of Wimbledon-2023. Then Badosa retired after losing the set and the first game in the second game.
Prediction for the match Marta Kostyuk – Paula Bados
Bookmakers are leading Badosa as a favorite – 1.45 against 2.92. The Ukrainian woman has quite a large line plus handicap. In particular, for at least 1 set won by Kostyuk, the coefficient is 1.71. We recommend playing this option.
Marta Kostyuk 17.01.2025 –
03:30
Paula Bados