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Karolina Pliskova vs Sloane Stephens Betting Tips & Live Stream – Edge With Stephens at Australian Open

moti-prakash
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Last updated: Mon 19 Jan 2026 13:10
Sloane Stephens and Karolina Pliskova face off at the Australian Open, with Stephens holding a 6-1 head-to-head advantage. Both players have struggled recently, with Stephens enduring a 13-match losing streak and Pliskova recovering from ankle surgery. Despite their challenges, Stephens shows slight edge with match readiness from recent qualifiers, whereas Pliskova's historical success in Melbourne could be pivotal. These key match elements set an intriguing stage for their upcoming face-off.
Moti Prakash 19 Jan 2026
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  • Sloane Stephens leads Pliskova 6-1 in head-to-head contests
  • Both players have faced struggles: Stephens with injuries, Pliskova post-surgery
  • Stephens shows readiness with recent qualifying success
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Sloane Stephens
Sloane Stephens hits a return to Lucia Bronzetti during their qualifying match in Melbourne (credit: Getty)
This is a tough one to trust, but Stephens gets the slight nod thanks to her match sharpness from qualifying.

Stats - Experience on Paper

  • Karolina Pliskova has lost five of her last seven Slam first rounds, after years of consistency. 
  • She reached at least round two at the Australian Open from 2014 to 2023. 
  • Sloane Stephens has not reached the second round of a major since Wimbledon 2024.

HTH - Sloane Stephens leads 6-1

Year Event Surface Round Winner Score
2024 Rouen WTA Clay R16 Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-2
2023 French Open Clay 1R Sloane Stephens 6-0, 6-4
2021 French Open Clay 2R Sloane Stephens 7-5, 6-1
2018 Masters Cup WTA Hard SF Sloane Stephens 0-6, 6-4, 6-1
2018 Madrid WTA Clay R16 Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 6-3
2015 Beijing Hard 1R Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-2
2012 Wimbledon Grass 1R Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-2

Karolina Pliskova’s Uncertain Return

Karolina Pliskova’s return has been delayed after ankle surgery in 2024, with her first tournament not coming until September 2025. She has played just two events since, managing only one win. 

That makes her an unknown quantity heading into the Australian Open, where she is seeking her first win since a 2023 quarterfinal run. 

Even so, Pliskova has a solid history in Melbourne, having reached the quarterfinals or semifinals four times since debuting at the event in 2011.

Category Details
Nationality Czech Republic
Age 33 (21 March 1992)
Plays Right-handed
World Ranking 1052
Career High 1 (17 July 2017)

Sloane Stephens’ Fight to Return

Sloane Stephens spent most of 2025 sidelined by a foot injury and returned only in September. She played six tournaments, failed to win a match, and slipped outside the top 1000. 

The former US Open champion arrives in Melbourne on a 13-match losing streak, without a win since Wimbledon 2024. 

Still, Stephens defied the odds to qualify for the Australian Open, beating Olivia Gadecki and Lucia Bronzetti.

Category Details
Nationality USA
Age 32 (20 March 1993)
Plays Right-handed
World Ranking 1097
Career High 3 (16 July 2018)

Verdict

With both players far from their peak, this is a volatile matchup. Stephens’ three wins in qualifying give her match sharpness and rhythm, which can be decisive in a contest where margins are slim.

Best Bet1: Stephens Match Winner @9/20 at Hollywood bets - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Over 2.5 Total Sets @37/20 at bet365 - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Stephens 2-1 Correct Score @18/5 at Star Sports - 2 Units
Stephens
Match Winner
@9/20 - 3 Units
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Over 2.5
Total Sets
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Bet at bet365
Stephens 2-1
Correct Score
@18/5 - 2 Units
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Karolina Pliskova v Sloane Stephens