Happy New Year! Action gets underway in the WTA 500 Brisbane International to kickstart the 2025 tennis season, with Payton Stearns likely to take on the talented Daria Kasatkina in the Round of 32. With contrasting styles and fascinating head-to-head history, this would certainly be a perfect and entertaining way to get one of the most thrilling tennis years underway in the female fold. Can the surging Stearns keep up her brilliant form to start the season, or will Kasatkina's crafty game re-establish superiority after a tough day at the WTA Finals? Let's dig in.
What’s your take on this clash? Will it be Stearns’ power or Kasatkina’s finesse that prevails? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
Claim Welcome BonusPeyton Stearns
The form of Payton Stearns slowly but surely has risen up the ranks on the WTA Tour, while an emphatic win against Veronika Kudermetova in the first round really stated her case. Powerful baseline game-22-year-old American-she just took hold over her more highly ranked opponent with her precision and resolute way.
Her stats from the last match indeed told a story of opportunism and clutch play: perfect 100% in saving break points and converting 4 of her own opportunities. While her serve wasn't quite there, with a pedestrian 58% first-serve accuracy with 5 double faults, her aggression on return seemed to turn the tide in her favor as she won 42% of first-serve return points.
Stearns has had spotty form coming into Brisbane, with 3 wins in her last 7 matches, but that victory over Kudermetova could give her all the confidence she needs to down a top-10 player like Kasatkina. Her ability to control and dictate play with strong, deep groundstrokes is going to be critical here.
Daria Kasatkina
Daria Kasatkina had a great season in 2024, finishing the year as World No. 9, but that brutal loss against Iga Swiatek 6-1, 6-0 at the WTA Finals really set into context all that is required of her when pitted against strong aggressive players. Brisbane now gives Kasatkina the perfect chance to reboot her mindset.
Kasatkina's numbers from that match were a sad read-no aces, a low first-serve percentage at 46 percent, and an inability to convert break points. Kasatkina is known, however, for her resistance and tactical acumen. Her game thrives on variety-spinning, angling, drop shots-to disrupt opponents from their rhythm.
Coming into this match, Kasatkina has gone 6-3 over her last nine, and that means she can go on a streak at any time. If she regains consistency on serve and is able to execute her counterpunching strategy, she will be a tough nut for Stearns to crack.
Head to Head
The head-to-head between Stearns and Kasatkina stands at 3-2 in favor of the Russian. Their previous meetings have been a great clash of styles, as Stearns' raw power often pushes Kasatkina's finesse to the limit. Stearns won their last meeting on hard courts in 2024, perhaps a suggestion she may have the edge on this surface.
Expert Betting Tips
The result will, in a large measure, depend on who controls the baseline: Stearns trying to overpower Kasatkina with her aggressive hitting, and Kasatkina trying to nullify her opponent's strengths with well-placed shots and crafty defense.
Stearns has the wind of her big win, whereas Kasatkina must shrug off the disappointment from her last match. It can get really psychological at specific moments, especially at critical junctures.
With Stearns' game pattern being so draining and high octane, there could be one or two question marks against her endurance deep into the match, whereas Kasatkina has the edge on movement and fitness that could eventually pay off if it is a tight one.
- Daria Kasatkina Wins @ 1.73 Odds
- Payton Stearns Wins First Set @ 2.03 Odds
- Total 3 Sets @ 2.20 Odds
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