Kessler Faces Zhang in Australian Open Round of 128 Clash

MELBOURNE, Australia — McCartney Kessler, ranked No. 67 in the world, will face off against No. 205 Shuai Zhang in the Round of 128 at the Australian Open on Saturday. The match marks a rematch of their previous encounter at the China Open, where Zhang emerged victorious in straight sets.

Zhang enters the match with momentum, having secured a decisive 6-2, 6-3 win over Greet Minnen in the Round of 32 at the China Open on September 29, 2024. Kessler, on the other hand, is looking to rebound after a narrow defeat to Zhang in their last meeting, where she lost 6-7, 6-7 in the Round of 128 at the same tournament on September 25, 2024.

The Australian Open, one of tennis’s four Grand Slam tournaments, is being held at Melbourne Park, with matches played on hard courts. Both players are vying for a spot in the next round, with Zhang aiming to leverage her recent form and Kessler seeking to capitalize on her higher ranking.

Zhang, a seasoned player with multiple WTA titles, has a history of strong performances in Grand Slam events. Kessler, a rising star, is looking to make her mark on the international stage. The match is expected to draw significant attention from tennis fans, given the contrasting styles and rankings of the two competitors.

Odds for the match, updated Thursday at 6:56 AM ET, favor Zhang, reflecting her recent form and experience. However, Kessler’s resilience and determination could make this a closely contested battle.