Aryna Sabalenka vs Anastasia Potapova Prediction 1/23/2026 Today’s Tennis Picks

Aryna Sabalenka will face Anastasia Potapova for the first time on a hard court at the 2026 Australian Open. The match is scheduled for Friday, January 23. Here’s our Aryna Sabalenka vs Anastasia Potapova prediction. This preview will also include an Aryna Sabalenka vs Anastasia Potapova pick.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Anastasia Potapova Preview

Aryna Sabalenka picked up her 7th win of the season in style. The Belarusian World No. 1 beat Chinese qualifier Zhuoxuan Bai in straight sets. Sabalenka raced to a 5-0 lead in the opening set, but on her first attempt to serve for the set, she was broken.

Bai fought four set points in the eighth game to hold. However, Sabalenka did not let slip a second opportunity to seal the set 6-3.  In the second set, Sabalenka was ruthless on return, breaking Bai three times to complete a 6-3, 6-1 win.

Sabalenka hit 4 aces and 1 double fault in the win. She landed 72% of first serves in play and won 64% of first serve points (25/39). Sabalenka won 60% of second serve points (9/15) and saved one of two break points in the match. Sabalenka has not lost before the round of 16 at the Australian Open since 2020.

Anastasia Potapova defeated former US Open champion Emma Raducanu in straight sets to reach the third round of the Australian Open for the second time in her career and first since 2021. A tight opening set lasted an hour as neither player could comfortably hold serve before Potapova prevailed in the tiebreak 7-3.

Raducanu’s serving struggles intensified in the second set where she was broken three times as Potapova showed a bit more composure to complete the win in straight sets. Potapova hit 3 aces and 3 double faults in the match. She tallied 25 winners and 24 unforced errors in the victory. Potapova improves to 4-3 for the season and will attempt to reach the last 16 in Melbourne for the first time.
 

Aryna Sabalenka vs Anastasia Potapova Head-To-Head

Sabalenka and Potapova have played twice. Both meetings took place on clay. Sabalenka won the first match 6-1, 6-2 in Stuttgart 2023. Their second meeting was at the 2025 Rome. Sabalenka won 6-2, 6-2.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Anastasia Potapova Prediction

Potapova has never been to the fourth round of the Australian Open, and if it is to happen this week, she’ll have to deliver the shock of the tournament. Potapova is aggressive and fearless, but Sabalenka hits a heavier ball than the Austrian. Sabalenka is also a bigger server and is excellent at absorbing pace. When both swing freely, my money is on Sabalenka to overpower Potapova.

Nur Said's Pick: Under 19.5 games in the match