Betting tips from AI for Maria Sakkari vs Leolia Jeanjean, 18 January 2026.

Maria Sakkari arrives at Melbourne with clear momentum after United Cup scalps of Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu and a competitive showing vs Coco Gauff; that form contrasts sharply with Leolia Jeanjean’s meek United Cup losses to Belinda Bencic and Jasmine Paolini and a three-year first-round Melbourne hoodoo.

Sakkari’s 1-0 head-to-head (6-3, 6-2 in Berlin) and a 7-3 Australian Open first-round record point to a matchup she can control with depth, serve and court craft. Bookmakers make her a heavy favorite at 1.25 versus Jeanjean at 4.32, and tipsters/models (~63–65%) favor a swift Sakkari win. I expect a composed straight-sets victory for Sakkari; the value here is low but the outcome is the safer bet.

Maria Sakkari enters this Australian Open opener with significant momentum, having truly rediscovered her top form at the United Cup. Her recent victories over Grand Slam champions Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu indicate she's regaining her elite edge, making her a formidable opponent. This resurgence is powerfully reflected in her strong odds of 1.25, suggesting a highly probable victory.

In stark contrast, Leolia Jeanjean, currently ranked No. 101, has endured a dismal start to 2026, suffering straight-sets defeats to Belinda Bencic and Jasmine Paolini. Her struggles extend to Melbourne Park, where she's faced a first-round exit for three consecutive years – a "curse" she's unlikely to break against a resurgent Sakkari. The head-to-head also firmly favors Sakkari, who dominated their previous encounter 6-3, 6-2.

Given Sakkari's impressive 7-3 Australian Open first-round record and her clear advantage in recent form, ranking, and past performance against Jeanjean, a comfortable victory for the Greek star is not just anticipated, but expected. All signs point to Sakkari advancing swiftly and decisively.

Maria Sakkari enters this Australian Open clash with renewed confidence after impressive United Cup performances against elite opponents like Osaka and Raducanu. Her form suggests she's rediscovering the tennis that once made her world No. 3, despite her current ranking of 52.

Leolia Jeanjean, meanwhile, continues to struggle in 2026, with concerning straight-set losses to Bencic and Paolini extending her poor run. Her Melbourne Park history is particularly troubling, having failed to advance beyond the first round for three consecutive years.

The head-to-head heavily favors Sakkari, who dominated their only previous encounter 6-3, 6-2. With Sakkari's powerful all-court game and 7-3 record in Australian Open first rounds, she's perfectly positioned to overwhelm Jeanjean. The 1.25 odds reflect this expected dominance, making Sakkari the clear choice despite the modest return.

Maria Sakkari enters the Australian Open as a clear favorite against Leolia Jeanjean, riding high after her impressive United Cup run where she stunned Grand Slam champions Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu. Now ranked No. 52 but showing signs of her former world No. 3 form, Sakkari's hard-court prowess shines in Melbourne, boasting a 7-3 first-round record and two prior fourth-round appearances.

Jeanjean, at No. 101, is struggling mightily in 2026, with recent straight-sets defeats to Belinda Bencic and Jasmine Paolini at the United Cup. Her curse continues in Melbourne first rounds over three years, and at 30, her game lacks the firepower to counter Sakkari's all-court dominance.

Their head-to-head favors Sakkari decisively: a 6-3, 6-2 thrashing in Berlin three years ago. With odds at 1.25 for Sakkari and 4.32 for Jeanjean, the value screams Sakkari in straight sets. Tipsters and models align at 63-65% win probability for the Greek star—expect a swift victory to kick off her deep run.

Betting $1 on Sakkari nets a modest but safe return, building our bankroll steadily in this lopsided matchup.

Maria Sakkari's dazzling United Cup run, where she toppled Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu, signals a regained edge as she enters this Australian Open clash. Leolia Jeanjean has stumbled hard in 2026 with straight-sets losses and a Melbourne first-round curse over three straight years. Sakkari holds a perfect head-to-head edge from a 6-3, 6-2 Berlin win, and her stellar 7-3 Australian Open first-round record underscores her comfort here.

Betting odds list Sakkari as a heavy favorite at 1.25, while Jeanjean offers longshot potential at 4.32. With tipsters estimating Sakkari's win probability at 63-65%, the odds may overvalue her, but her current form and historical dominance point to a victory, albeit with limited betting value.

Maria Sakkari enters this Australian Open clash as a heavy favorite with odds of 1.25, and for good reason. The Greek star, despite dropping to world No. 52, has shown flashes of her top form recently, including impressive wins over Grand Slam champions Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu at the United Cup. While she eventually fell to Coco Gauff, her performance signaled that her game is rounding into shape just in time for Melbourne.

Leolia Jeanjean, ranked No. 101, has struggled mightily in 2026. Her recent losses to Belinda Bencic and Jasmine Paolini were straight-sets affairs, underscoring her vulnerability on hard courts. Adding to her woes, Jeanjean has never advanced past the first round in three previous attempts at the Australian Open. Sakkari’s head-to-head dominance—a decisive 6-3, 6-2 victory in Berlin three years ago—further tilts the scales in her favor.

The betting models reflect this imbalance, assigning Sakkari a win probability between 63-65%. With odds of 4.32 on Jeanjean, the potential payout doesn’t justify the risk given her poor current form and Melbourne struggles. Sakkari’s strong 7-3 record in Australian Open openers reinforces her reliability in this spot. Expect her firepower and experience to overwhelm Jeanjean in straight sets.