We’re getting to the closing rounds of this year’s Australian Open. The quarterfinal stage starts now, with just two women’s matches on Day 9. They should be great matches, though, as Caroline Wozniacki faces off against Carla Suarez Navarro and Elise Mertens will try to knock off Elina Svitolina. Predicting these matches are Sam Barker, Brett Margolies, and David Adair.
Panelist Predictions Australian Open Women’s Day 9 Matches
Caroline Wozniacki vs Carla Suarez Navarro
Sam:
After almost exiting in the second round, Caroline Wozniacki has exploded into form and looked imperious right now. Suarez Navarro produced a spectacular comeback against Anett Kontaveit in the previous round but three straight three-set matches is bound to tell its toll against a player with Wozniacki’s style.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
Brett:
Wozniacki is playing relaxed now that she’s playing with “house money”. Wozniacki’s defeated Suarez Navarro every time they’ve played on a hard court and I don’t think this will be any different.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
David:
Caroline Wozniacki’s feistiness and attitude since her 2nd round scare against Croatia’s Jana Fett are increasingly convincing people that she can finally bag an elusive Slam. There was a tenacious edge to her impressive victories over Bertens and Rybarikova. All this is a far cry from the confidence-lacking, labored Dane we saw tamely lose to Suarrez Navarro on clay in Madrid last year. This was the latest meeting between the pair.
Prior to this tournament, Suarrez-Navarro’s last win was at the US Open 2017. A six-match losing streak was the sum of her Melbourne preparation. The veteran Spaniard has the game to make life difficult for the Dane, but given Wozniacki’s new-found belly fire, it may not be enough.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
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Elina Svitolina vs Elise Mertens
Sam:
One of these two will lose their nine match 2018 winning streak although neither deserve to. Both are playing some of the best tennis of their career and this will be a match of the highest quality. Svitolina has been labelled as someone who has struggled to breakthrough at Slams but she is too good not to eventually and there is no time like the present.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Brett:
Mertens has had a nice run so far reaching the quarterfinals and still hasn’t dropped a set. Ever since trailing Daria Gavrilova 5-0 in the first set she’s gone on a tear. I think Svitolina knocks her off though, both are playing well so I can see it going the distance.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
David:
Up until the last two matches, Elina Svitolina looked a little like a sitting duck. Last year she lost early to Pavlyuchenkova and didn’t look like surviving much longer this year. To her credit she has stuck to the task. It looks like her big chance will come at the next Slam: The French Open 2018. It is on clay that Svitolina beat Mertens in their only previous meeting. Whilst the victory was comprehensive, it’s not a great indicator to the outcome of this match.
Elise Mertens has yet to drop a set this tournament and will represent the toughest test yet for the Ukrainian. In fact, Mertens hasn’t lost a match this year, courtesy of a WTA title at Hobart. The more you look at it, the more you can find a case for a shock here.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
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