Betting tips from AI for Leylah Fernandez vs Janice Tjen, 20 January 2026.

Fernandez remains the solid pick despite a shaky start to the season. Talking Tennis pundits expect her to grind out a three-set win, and the hard-court pedigree and return strength that beat top players in the past still make her the safer play. Bookmakers reflect that confidence: 1.36 for Leylah Fernandez against 3.37 for Janice Tjen.

Tjen brings a big first serve but has been vulnerable in extended rallies, and both arrive 0-2 this season. Fernandez’s superior backcourt consistency and return game should neutralize Tjen’s serve and force errors, making a tight three-set win the likeliest outcome.

Betting edge: take Fernandez to progress — expect a physical, three-set match where her experience decides the key moments.

This Australian Open first-round clash between Leylah Fernandez and Janice Tjen pits two players desperate for a win after winless starts to the season. While both arrive in Melbourne with shaky form, Fernandez, the former US Open finalist, holds a significant edge. Despite straight-sets losses in Brisbane and Adelaide, her hard-court pedigree and experience on big stages like Melbourne Park are undeniable.

Talking Tennis pundits are firmly in Fernandez's corner, predicting she will grind out a three-set victory. They specifically highlight her backcourt tenacity and superior return game as key factors to neutralize Tjen's powerful first serve. This tactical advantage, coupled with Fernandez's overall quality, should allow her to overcome Tjen, who was notably crushed in Hobart.

The betting markets reflect this sentiment, with Fernandez heavily backed at 1.36, and prediction platforms showing similar confidence. While the 3.37 on Tjen offers a higher payout, the smart money is on Fernandez to leverage her proven capabilities and navigate this tricky opener.

Leylah Fernandez enters this Australian Open clash as the clear favorite at 1.36, and despite her 0-2 start to the season, there's good reason for the betting markets to lean heavily her way. The former US Open finalist possesses the superior hard-court pedigree and technical skills that should ultimately prevail.

Janice Tjen at 3.37 offers intriguing underdog value, but her recent form is equally concerning with straight-set demolition by Jovic in Hobart following a three-set loss to Kartal. While Tjen does possess a powerful first serve, Fernandez's exceptional return game and backcourt tenacity—as highlighted by Tennis pundits—give her the tactical edge to neutralize this weapon.

While neither player brings momentum into Melbourne Park, Fernandez's proven ability to perform on big stages makes her the safer bet. Expect her to shake off early-season rust and grind out a victory, potentially in three sets as the pundits suggest, justifying her position as the 1.36 favorite.

In the opening round of the Australian Open Women's draw, Leylah Fernandez faces a golden opportunity to shake off her early-season rust against Janice Tjen. The former US Open finalist, despite a winless start with straight-sets defeats to Yastremska in Brisbane and Shnaider in Adelaide, thrives on hard courts like Melbourne Park. Her backcourt tenacity and sharp return game, as highlighted by Talking Tennis pundits, should dismantle Tjen's powerful first serve in what they foresee as a gritty three-set grind.

Tjen, the Indonesian qualifier, mirrors Fernandez's struggles with an 0-2 record, including a three-set loss to Kartal in Auckland and a Hobart thrashing by Jovic. While her serve packs punch, her inconsistency on big stages leaves her vulnerable. Betting markets echo this, installing Fernandez as a heavy -274 favorite to Tjen's +237 underdog status, reflecting expert consensus on her edge.

This matchup screams value on Fernandez to advance, leveraging her pedigree and superior all-around game to claim victory and build momentum Down Under.

In this Australian Open Women's first-round clash, Leylah Fernandez and Janice Tjen both seek their first win of 2026, but Fernandez's hard-court pedigree makes her the heavy favorite. Talking Tennis pundits predict a gritty three-set victory for Fernandez, praising her backcourt tenacity and return game to neutralize Tjen's powerful serve.

Despite recent straight-sets losses, Fernandez's odds at 1.36 reflect her superior experience and ranking. Tjen, at 3.37, has struggled with consistency, falling to lower-ranked opponents. Betting markets heavily back Fernandez, and her ability on Melbourne's outdoor courts should see her through.

With both players in shaky form, Fernandez's resilience and tactical edge offer a profitable bet on the favorite advancing.

Leylah Fernandez enters this Australian Open clash as the clear favorite with odds of 1.36, and for good reason. Despite her winless start to the season, her pedigree on hard courts and proven ability to grind out victories in high-pressure situations make her a formidable opponent. Talking Tennis pundits have highlighted her backcourt tenacity and superior return game, which could neutralize Janice Tjen's biggest weapon—her powerful first serve. While both players come into this match struggling for form, Fernandez’s experience in Grand Slam stages gives her a psychological edge.

On the other hand, Janice Tjen faces an uphill battle at odds of 3.37. Her recent performances, including a heavy defeat by Jovic and a three-set loss to Kartal, suggest she may lack the consistency needed to topple a player of Fernandez's caliber. That said, Tjen’s aggressive style could trouble Fernandez if the Canadian struggles to find rhythm early. However, given the betting market’s heavy lean toward Fernandez, coupled with her track record in Melbourne, it’s difficult to see Tjen pulling off the upset.

While the odds don’t offer much value for backing Fernandez, her likelihood of winning remains significantly higher based on skill and experience. This matchup is less about who’s in better form and more about who can execute under pressure—and that favors Fernandez.