Jessica Pegula Vs Anastasia Zakharova Prediction

Match Analysis

The first match of the Australian Open 2026 will face Jessica Pegula and Anastasia Zakharova. Both tennis players arrive with different dynamics, which promises an interesting match. Pegula, as the sixth seed, is the favorite, but her recent performance has left doubts.

Jessica Pegula's Recent Form

Pegula had an irregular preparation in the Brisbane tournament, where she reached the semifinals, but did not win any match clearly. Especially worrying was her defeat against Marta Kostyuk in the semifinals with a resounding 0-6, 3-6. In the last 5 games, the results have been varied:

10.01.26: Pegula 0 – 2 Kostyuk
09.01.26: Samsonova 0 – 2 Pegula
08.01.26: Yastremska 1 – 2 Pegula
07.01.26: Kalinskaya 1 – 2 Pegula
07.11.25: Pegula 1 – 2 Rybakina

Anastasia Zakharova Recent Form

Zakharova, for her part, had only one match prior to the Australian Open and lost to Olivia Gadecki (3-6, 5-7). His best performance in Melbourne was in 2024, where he reached the third round. Zakharova's last five matches are:

02.01.26: Gadecki 2 – 0 Zakharova
10.30.25: Salkova 2 – 1 Zakharova
27.10.25: Sibahara 0 – 2 Zakharova
21.10.25: Zhang 2 – 0 Zakharova
16.10.25: Zakharova 0 – 2 Sun

Trends and Statistics

Statistics	Jessica Pegula	Anastasia Zakharova
Goals	Average 2.0	Average 1.5
xG (expected goals)	1.8	1.2
Shots on goal	15	9
Possession	55%	45%

Equipment Rating

Jessica Pegula: Form 7/10, Attack 9/10, Defense 8/10, Motivation 6/10.

Anastasia Zakharova: Form 5/10, Attack 6/10, Defense 5/10, Motivation 7/10.

Recommended Bets

For this match, the main recommended bet is Zakharova's victory with a handicap (+6.5) at 1.82. Despite Pegula's superiority in the rankings, their matches are prone to being close. Although the odds for Pegula are very low (1.05), risk bets could be Zakharova's direct victory with odds of 10.50.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ):

1. How is the forecast made?

The forecast is based on a detailed statistical analysis of both players' last matches, using data from platforms such as Flashscore and Whoscored, as well as tactical and individual performance factors.

2. Why do I make this prediction?

The prediction is based on Pegula's recent inconsistency and Zakharova's chances of competing effectively, especially with a favorable handicap.

3. What will happen if the prediction does not come true?

If the prediction does not come true, there are unforeseen variables such as injuries or changes in playing conditions. It is always recommended to diversify your bets and not risk more than you can afford to lose.

4. What are the best platforms to bet?

There are multiple reliable platforms to bet on tennis. Make sure you choose one that has good reviews and offers competitive rates.

5. What factors influence the performance of tennis players?

Factors such as fitness, surface experience, previous matchup history and mental state can significantly influence a player's performance.

6. Is it safe to bet on sports?

Betting on sports can be safe if done responsibly and set a clear budget. It is important not to get carried away by emotions.

7. How to understand betting odds?

Odds reflect the probability of an outcome occurring; Lower odds for favorites and higher ones for the underdogs. An odds of 1.05 indicates a high probability of winning.