On day three at the Australian Open, the top half of the women’s draw will battle for a spot in the third round. Amongst those in action are world #1 Ashleigh Barty, who takes on Polona Hercog, Coco Gauff, set to face Sorana Cirstea, and defending champion Naomi Osaka. As ever, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions across the board. Giving their picks for this slate of matches are Jim Smith, Yesh Ginsburg and Harsh Bhoot. Who will advance?
Australian Open Day 3 Predictions
Serena Williams vs Tamara Zidansek
Jim: Serena Williams arrived at Melbourne Park in good form after winning her first title since returning from maternity leave at the Auckland Open and she looked confident in beating Anastasia Potapova 6-0 6-3. Tamara Zidansek too scored a fine win, beating wild card Han Na-lae 6-3 6-3. But it is hard to see her repeating that feat against the great Williams.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Yesh: Williams had a very slight wobble in the second set against Potapova, but she looks focused and ready to get Major number 24, which would finally equal Court’s record. Don’t expect Zidansek to stand in her way for long.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Harsh: The 23-time Grand Slam champion began her Melbourne campaign in style and will look to replicate the performance against Zidansek. The Slovenian too won relatively easily in her opening match, but when Williams is dialled in, there aren’t many who can cope up with the American’s power. Expect her to breeze through.
Prediction: Williams in 2
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Petra Kvitova vs Paula Badosa Gibert
Jim: There had been suggestions in some quarters that Petra Kvitova was likely to struggle at this year’s Australian Open. But the Czech made light of that by dismissing her compatriot Katerina Siniakova for the loss of just one game. Paula Badosa Gibert also lost just one game in making her way into the second round. However, the Spaniard may struggle to contend with Kvitova’s forehand.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3
Yesh: Kvitova is in good form and surely wants to go one better than her runner-up appearance last year. She’s definitely playing well enough that that’s possible.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Harsh: It hardly gets more one-sided than Kvitova’s opening-round win and should the Czech bring her best once again, Badosa Gibert will likely have very little say in this encounter. Kvitova looked good in Brisbane and has started off brilliantly here. The 2019 finalist knows she’ll have to fight hard if she’s going to reach the final or better, but against Badosa Gibert who’s still finding her way at the top-level, expect Kvitova to dominate.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
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Fiona Ferro vs Wang Qiang
Jim: Fiona Ferro encountered few problems in beating the big-hitting but inconsistent Alison van Uytvanck and she will surely be determined to back that win up against 27th seed Wang Qiang. But the Chinese is likely to provide a sterner test of the young gun. Ferro has never beaten Wang on a hard court and if Wang stays composed, that poor record is likely to be extended.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Yesh: Ferro continued her strong summer from last year by demolishing van Uytvanck in the first round. If she keeps up that level, there’s not likely to be much that Wang can do to beat her, even though it’s a very different style of matchup.
Prediction: Ferro in 2
Harsh: Wang had a breakthrough season in 2019 and her Australian Open campaign got off to a good start. She now takes on Ferro, a player she has beaten four times and lost to just once. All her wins have come on hard courts and the solitary loss was on clay. Ferro did look very sharp in her opening match, but if the Chinese can protect her serve, expect Wang to win the baseline exchanges on the back of her consistency.
Prediction: Wang in 2
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Caroline Wozniacki vs Dayana Yastremska
Jim: Caroline Wozniacki may be set to retire at the conclusion of her Australian Open campaign, but she proved she is still a force to be reckoned with by hammering Kristie Ahn in the first round. However, Adelaide runner-up Dayana Yastremska seems likely to provide a tougher test. The Ukrainian’s flat penetrating groundstrokes will likely prove hard for the Dane to successfully counter.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
Yesh: This could quite possibly be Caroline Wozniacki’s final match. Yastremska is hitting the ball powerfully and cleanly. Still, the second round just feels too early for the 2018 champion to make her exit. Based on that alone, the Dane moves on.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 3
Harsh: Wozniacki looked in good touch in Auckland and in her win over Ahn, but Yastremska has had an even better start to 2020. The 19-year-old reached the final in Adelaide and her 6-1 6-1 win in her first-round signalled she’s feeling really good about her game. She also beat Wozniacki last year in Cincinnati in straight sets. Expect this match to be a fiercely contested one, but Yastremska, who rarely holds back when it matters most, should be the one to edge it.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
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