Day seven sees the first set of matches from the fourth round at the 2018 Australian Open. Last Word on Tennis writers, Brett Margolies, Sam Barker and Yesh Ginsburg give their predictions on the four matches from the bottom half of the draw including Caroline Wozniacki against Magdalena Rybarikova and Anett Kontaveit facing Carla Suarez Navarro.
Caroline Wozniacki vs Magdalena Rybarikova
Brett: Caroline Wozniacki is playing too good right now. Rybarikova has given her little trouble in the past and can’t see this being much different.
Wozniacki in 2
Sam: This will be a tougher contest for Caroline Wozniacki than it may seem on the surface. Since last year’s grass court season Rybarikova has been in inspired form and her top-20 ranking reflects that. Wozniacki has not been at her best during the tournament and might find her journey ends here.
Rybarikova in 3
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Yesh: Wozniacki looked amazing in her third-round match after struggling two nights prior. If she’s on point again, Rybarikova doesn’t have a chance.
Wozniacki in 2
Anett Kontaveit vs Carla Suarez Navarro
Brett: It’ll be interesting to see how Kontaveit follows up her upset win over Ostapenko. It’s good to see the veteran Carla Suarez Navarro playing well again, I like her chances to keep it going and reach the quarterfinals in Australia for the third time in her career.
Suarez Navarro in 3
Sam: Anett Kontaveit held her nerve impressively in the third set against Jelena Ostapenko and that kind of mental fortitude will carry her far through this tournament. Carla Suarez Navarro has surprised with a return to form and her unique play may disrupt Kontaveit but not enough.
Kontaveit in 3
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Yesh: Kontaveit pulled off a great upset last round, but playing at her best two matches in a row is always difficult. Suarez Navarro does nothing special, but she does everything well. That’s a tough match for Kontaveit to push through.
Suarez Navarro in 3
Elina Svitolina vs Denisa Allertova
Brett: Denisa Allertova has already won six matches so far at the Australian Open. She’s had a nice run and faces a player in Svitolina that she’s defeated before. Svitolina got through to the fourth round easily after beating 15-year-old Marta Kostyuk, I don’t think she’ll have any problems this round either.
Svitolina in 2
Sam: Elina Svitolina has been improving as the tournament has gone on and finds another kind draw against Denisa Allertova. After coming through qualifying, Allertova is now up to six matches and may find fatigue begins to come into play. A comfortable victory for Svitolina who is poised for a deep Grand Slam run.
Svitolina in 2
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Yesh: Svitolina blasted her way through her younger countrywoman in Round 3. She is well-rested and has another easy (relatively) matchup in the fourth round.
Svitolina in 2
Petra Martic vs Elise Mertens
Brett: Elise Mertens is coming in fresh after reaching the round of 16 without dropping a set so far. She’s never reached the quarterfinals of a slam before even though she’s had three chances to do so. Martic has done well so far, but Mertens seems to be playing a little better at the moment.
Mertens in 3
Sam: Probably the most finely poised match of the four. Elise Mertens is starting to live up to the hype but Petra Martic is establishing herself as something of a Grand Slam expert. Last year Martic reached the fourth round of Roland Garros and Wimbledon and I expect her to only reach the fourth round here as well.
Mertens in 3
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Yesh: Who saw this as a matchup to get into the quarterfinals when the tournament started. This match will fly under the radar, but it should be one of the better matches on the day.
Mertens in 3
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