Today, we are covering the first three matches in the round of 16 at the WTA Adelaide tournament. United Cup play has concluded, and the qualifiers for the Australian Open have begun. Several big names have decided that playing in Adelaide was worth the potential risk before the Australian Open. Here are my best bets for the matches. Please share yours in the comment section.
WTA Adelaide
Mboko — Kalinskaya: Time 23:00
H2H: 1-0
Victoria Mboko and Anna Kalinskaya have played only once before Adelaide, at the 2025 WTA Hong Kong in the quarterfinals. Mboko put on a strong showing, winning the first set 6-1 and taking a 3-1 lead in the second before Kalinskaya retired. That injury would ultimately lead to the end of Kalinskaya’s 2025 season. Both women are 2-1 on the year. The only real difference between the two is that Mboko’s loss came while she was the favorite against Elise Mertens, and Kalinskaya’s loss featured her taking the favored Pegula to a 6-4 third set.
Best Bet to Make
Mboko enters the match as the favorite on some books and Kalinskaya on others. Mboko won seven different titles in 2025, and is only growing more confident with age. Much will be expected of her in ’26, and Kalinskaya provides a solid test for her. If Kalinskaya is going to make a push back toward the top 15 in the World, then taking down Mboko would be a great way to kick off the new year. The books largely see this match as a push, so be careful picking. I like the over on 2.5 sets for 2.38 on 10Bet.
That being said, Over 2.5 sets is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Over 2.5 sets @2.38 @10Bet
Kasatkina – Cristian: Time 15:30
H2H: 3-0
Darya Kasatkina vs Jaqueline Cristian at WTA Adelaide will be the fourth time these two have met, but their first since 2024. Kasatkina has taken all three of their previous matches despite being the lower-ranked player in the World rankings. Kasatkina is 1-1 on the year, having lost to Anastasia Potapova at WTA Brisbane in the first round. Cristian is 3-1, with her only loss coming to Marie Bouzkova, also in the first round of WTA Brisbane. She also has a victory over Anastasia Potapova, so it’s up to you if you want to employ the law of transitive properties.
Best Bet to Make
I know that Kasatkina is favored in this match, but I’m not feeling it. Cristian hasn’t been crushed when they’ve met in the past. Outside of the first match, the others have been pretty competitive. I think this is Cristian’s time to shine. Not only is she the higher-ranked player, but she’s also having a better year than her opponent, and she has a win over the only person to beat her opponent. Kasatkina is also coming off a year in which she was 19-22, so I think Cristian deserves the benefit of the doubt over a player struggling for the last year.
That being said, Cristian winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Cristian winning @2.28 @Pinnacle
Andreeva – Bouzkova: Time 01:30
H2H: 2-0
Marie Bouzkova and Mirra Andreeva will meet for the third time. The two met twice in 2025, with Andreeva winning in the second round at WTA Madrid, and she beat her in the first round of the Australian Open to start the year. Andreeva is 2-1 on the year, and Bouzkova is 3-2, with losses to Paula Badosa and Yulia Putintseva. Andreeva is coming off a fantastic year in 2025, winning two titles and going 41-16 overall. Her only loss this year came to Marta Kostyuk in the quarterfinals at WTA Brisbane.
Best Bet to Make
Andreeva is the favorite in this match for good reason. Not only do I see her winning, but I think she’s capable of taking it in straight sets. You can get Andreeva 2:0 for 2.10 on Bet365, and I would start there. When you consider that taking the under on 2.5 sets, which is tantamount to winning 2:0, goes for 1.49, I think the former is the better value by far. You’re not gonna do much better taking Andreeva straight, as the highest you’ll get is 1.48, so I would definitely take a correct score bet.
That being said, Andreeva winning 2:0 is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Andreeva winning 2:0 @2.20 @WilliamHill
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane–USA TODAY Sports
