We’re up to the second round of this year’s Australian Open. The entire day (or night, if you’re watching from America and Europe) should be filled with excellent tennis from first ball to last. Our panelists are here to predict five of the day’s biggest matches, as always. Today’s panelists are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), editor Steen Kirby, and writers Jeff Crady and John Lupo.
Panelists Predictions Australian Open Women’s Day 3
Shelby Rogers vs Ashleigh Barty
John:
The American is coming off of the upset of the tournament, defeating Simona Halep while Barty’s comeback continues in terrific fashion. In a match that could go either way, Rogers edges it out. Prediction: Rogers in 3
Steen:
A precious opportunity for either player to reach the third round of a slam. Fans will be barracking for Barty, but Rogers comprehensive drubbing of Halep gives me confidence in her form right now.
Prediction: Rogers in 2
Jeff:
Barty has been one of the major comeback stories in tennis over the past year. The former junior phenom and Aussie Open doubles champion has seemed to gain confidence playing professional cricket and has had some nice wins in this comeback time. Rogers used her weapons to punish Halep in straight sets, but Barty has shown more will power than Halep did on Monday.
Prediction: Barty in 3
Yesh:
Even if Halep wasn’t at 100%, Rogers’ domination of her in the last match was something to behold. I see the young American continuing that momentum with a big win here.
Prediction: Rogers in 2
Venus Williams vs Stefanie Voegele
John:
After a tough opening round win, this match should be more straightforward. Voegele has no weapons to hurt Venus with. Expect a quick win for the elder Williams.
Prediction: Venus in 2
Steen:
Venus has never lost a set to this Swiss qualifier. The AO has never been one of her best tournaments, but the ageless American isn’t likely to lose here.
Prediction: Venus in 2
Jeff:
Venus shrugged off a slew of unforced errors to take her first round match. The veteran Voegele will be more steady than Kozlova, but Williams finds enough winners to win in three sets.
Prediction: Venus in 3
Yesh:
On the one hand, there is a melancholy recognition that Venus could lose just about any match nowadays if her body just can’t keep it up. She gave some indication of that in her first-round match, but not enough to predict against her here.
Prediction: Venus in 2
Carla Suarez-Navarro vs Sorana Cirstea
John:
A contrast in styles, the Spaniard will be consistent while the Romanian will be up and down. The safe pick is Suarez Navarro, so go there.
Prediction: Suarez-Navarro in 2
Steen:
Both players should be full of confidence in the early going, as they seem to have found a bit of form they were lacking at the end of last year. I like Cirstea on a hard court to pull an upset.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Jeff:
Suarez-Navarro looked sharp in defeating JanaCepelova in the first round and Cirstea has been rounding into the form that landed her into the French Open quarters in 2009. Cirstea uses her forehand to pull the upset.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Yesh:
I have been a big fan of Cirstea’s ever since I first really saw her compete, in the 2009 French Open–and in the fourth round against Jankovic in particular. She hasn’t produced anything near that magic again, but her form is getting closer. I still believe we’ll see Cirstea really break through some day.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Jelena Jankovic vs Julia Goerges
John:
Both players are coming off of impressive first round wins. In another matchup of contrasting styles, I’ll go with the in-form player of the two.
Prediction: Goerges in 2
Steen:
Jankovic narrowly leads the H2H, and both players come off of taxing three setters. Georges’ power isn’t the easiest thing to handle, but the wily Jankovic should be able to get this done.
Prediction: Jankovic in 3
Jeff:
This is a match pitting contrasting styles of two tour veterans, Will the all-court nature of Jankovic or the power from Goerges win? Jankovic continues to bring herself back into relevance with a straight set win over the German.
Prediction: Jankovic in 2
Yesh:
This is an excellent contrast in styles and should be a fun match to watch. Ultimately, though, I think Jankovic is in better form at the moment.
Prediction: Jankovic in 3
Elina Svitolina vs Julia Boserup
John:
The Ukranian is in the midst of the best stretch of her young career while Boserup picked up her initial win at a major. Nerves will play a factor and by the time the American settles down, it may be far too late.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Steen:
Boserup is improving, but Svitolina will be much fresher and she’s the better player regardless. The run for the American qualifier ends in Round 2.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Jeff:
Boserup dominated former French open champ Francesca Schiavone in Round 1, but Svitolina has been riding a wave of success from mid-2015 on. Her success continues and Svitolina wins in straight sets.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Yesh:
I have a ton of belief in Boserup. The youngster will be a future star, and I think we’re in the process of starting to see that develop. Is it a little too early to expect an upset of this magnitude? Probably. But don’t be shocked if it happens. This will be a tight match.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
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