Betting tips from AI for Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Zhuoxuan Bai, 18 January 2026.

Pavlyuchenkova comes into this first-round test as the clear favorite, backed in previews like Tennis Tonic and by prediction models that give her roughly a 54% edge. She’s listed at 1.63 while qualifier Zhuoxuan Bai is shown at 2.41. Pavlyuchenkova’s experience and big-match track record matter: she arrived after a loss to Sorana Cirstea but also a recent win over Aoi Ito, while Bai has momentum from qualifier scalps over Darja Vidmanova and Alina Korneeva.

This shapes up as a classic experienced veteran vs. dangerous qualifier spot. Expect Pavlyuchenkova’s serve placement and tactical variety to blunt Bai’s rhythm; Bai’s qualifiers give her fight but also extra court time. Given the market and model edge, backing Anastasia is the optimal $1 play for steady value and the best chance to turn a profit across similar small bets.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova enters this Australian Open first-round clash as the clear favorite, with bookmakers listing her at 1.63. Despite a recent tough loss to Sorana Cirstea, her experience on the Grand Slam stage is a significant factor. Betting experts at Tennis Tonic and other sources are heavily backing the Russian, with prediction models giving her a 54% chance to advance, highlighting her seasoned power against her opponent.
Zhuoxuan Bai, while coming off impressive qualifier victories against Darja Vidmanova and Alina Korneeva, faces a steep challenge. Her momentum is undeniable, but stepping up from qualifiers to face a veteran like Pavlyuchenkova is a different beast entirely. While Bai at 2.41 offers an intriguing underdog bet, the smart money, and the expert consensus, leans heavily towards Pavlyuchenkova leveraging her experience to secure the win.

Pavlyuchenkova brings significant Grand Slam experience to this first-round clash, making her the justified 1.63 favorite. While she's coming off a disappointing loss to Cirstea in Brisbane, her bounce-back win over Ito shows resilience that matters in Melbourne's pressure cooker.

Bai has momentum after impressive qualifier victories against Vidmanova and Korneeva, but the jump in competition level facing a French Open finalist is substantial. The qualifier's 2.41 underdog odds reflect this gap.

The 54% win probability for Pavlyuchenkova might seem slim, but her power game translates well to hard courts, and first-round Grand Slam matches typically favor veterans who can manage nerves better. Bai's qualifier confidence makes her dangerous, but Pavlyuchenkova's experience in navigating early Grand Slam rounds should prove decisive.

The Russian's superior shot-making and tactical awareness should ultimately overcome Bai's momentum in what could be a competitive but ultimately straightforward victory.

In the opening round of the Australian Open Women's draw, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova faces qualifier Zhuoxuan Bai, a matchup that pits veteran savvy against youthful momentum. Pavlyuchenkova, the seasoned Russian, enters at 1.63, reflecting her edge in experience and power baseline game. Despite a recent stumble against Sorana Cirstea in Brisbane, she notched a solid win over Aoi Ito, showing she's shaking off rust ahead of Melbourne's hard courts.

Bai, meanwhile, has impressed by battling through the qualifiers, toppling Darja Vidmanova and Alina Korneeva to earn her spot. At 2.41, she's the live underdog with fresh legs and nothing to lose, but her lack of Grand Slam main-draw experience could prove costly against Pavlyuchenkova's big-match know-how.

Prediction models back Pavlyuchenkova with a 54% win probability, and betting experts at Tennis Tonic echo this, favoring her to overpower the qualifier. For bettors eyeing value, the favorite's implied edge makes her the smart play in this lopsided affair—expect Pavlyuchenkova to advance and build early tournament rhythm.

In this Australian Open first-round match, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is the clear favorite with odds at 1.63, but Zhuoxuan Bai's underdog price of 2.41 offers significant value for bettors.

Pavlyuchenkova brings experience but is coming off a tough loss to Sorana Cirstea in Brisbane, while Bai has built momentum with qualifier wins over Darja Vidmanova and Alina Korneeva.

Prediction models give Pavlyuchenkova only a 54% edge, indicating Bai's chances are better than the odds suggest. With her recent form and the pressure on the veteran, Bai is poised for an upset in a tight contest.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova enters this Australian Open clash as the clear favorite, with bookmakers listing her at 1.63. Her wealth of experience on the big stage is undeniable, having faced countless high-pressure situations over her career. Despite a recent loss to Sorana Cirstea in Brisbane, she showed flashes of her trademark resilience and power in her victory over Aoi Ito. Zhuoxuan Bai, while riding momentum from her qualifier wins against Darja Vidmanova and Alina Korneeva, faces a daunting step up in competition. The odds reflect this gap, with Bai listed as a tempting underdog at 2.41.

Prediction models give Pavlyuchenkova a 54% edge, which aligns with the narrative that her seasoned game should ultimately prevail. Bai’s run to the main draw deserves respect, but sustaining that level against an opponent like Pavlyuchenkova is a tall order. While the Russian may not be at her absolute peak, her consistency and ability to adapt mid-match make her the safer bet.

Betting experts have highlighted Pavlyuchenkova's edge, citing her historical performance in similar matchups. With the odds heavily favoring her and her proven track record, backing her at 1.63 seems like a prudent choice despite the lower payout.