Leylah Fernandez faces Cristina Bucsa in the second round of the Australian Open.
The pregame narrative: Fernandez was dominant in her opening-round match but now faces a competitor in solid form. I expect this second-round clash to be hard-fought and go the distance.
Check out our Bucsa vs. Fernandez odds and best bet for their Australian Open match on Jan. 14.
Bucsa vs. Fernandez Australian Open odds
Go to full Bucsa vs. Fernandez betting markets.
| Betting markets | Betting odds |
| Bucsa to win | +400 |
| Fernandez to win | -700 |
| Bucsa +5.5 games | -125 |
| Fernandez -5.5 games | -112 |
| Over 19.5 games | -125 |
| Under 19.5 games | -112 |
Best bet: Over 19.5 games (-125)
Fernandez defeated Yuliia Starodutseva 7-5, 6-4 in the first round, which I predicted would exceed 19 games.
In the win, she struggled to develop a string of winning games together due to unforced errors. Fernandez committed six double faults to just two aces.
Bucsa’s strengths come from her baseline play and movement. The Spanish player is known for her solid court coverage and ability to dictate play from the backcourt.
Here’s how their stats from 2024 matchup:
- Service games won, Fernandez : 69.1% vs. 58.3%
- Return games won, Bucsa: 36.9% vs. 36.4%
- Break points converted, Bucsa: 47.6% vs. 44.8%
With both players strong on the baseline and lacking consistency with their serves, a back-and-forth match is how I expect this one to play out.
Bucsa and Fernandez first met at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, with the Canadian winning 7-6(4), 6-3.
Both competitors will have the stamina to engage in a long battle after opening-round wins in straight sets — Bucsa needed only an hour and 26 minutes to defeat Chloe Paquet.
I believe Fernandez comes out with a victory, but it won’t come easy.
Key stat: All six of Fernandes’ matches in the Australian Open have exceeded 19.5 games.
Picks made at 3:04 p.m. ET on 01/13/2025.
