It’s Day 4 of the Australian Open on Thursday in Melbourne. The second round wraps up, and we at LWOT are predicting every match of the day for you. This set of predictions looks at four matches. We also have three more sets, featuring Elina Svitolina vs Lauren Davis, Belinda Bencic vs Jelena Ostapenko, and Iga Swiatek vs Carla Suarez Navarro. Predicting today’s matches are Tracey Essex, Andrew Watson, and myself (Yesh Ginsburg).
Australian Open Day 4 Women’s Predictions
CiCi Bellis vs Karolina Muchova
Tracey:
Bellis was easily able to manage Tatjana Maria’s craft and guile. It was a solid performance from the 20-year-old American, who is making her comeback from far too many injuries and surgeries. A nice start to her Australian Open campaign. Muchova’s first round win was anything but straightforward facing a tight tiebreak in the decider before coming through. It s a dangerous match for the #20 seed. A style similar to Alison Riske who bounced Muchova in the Brisbane opener, Bellis could well upset the seed for a third round berth. I do expect a better showing from Muchova in Melbourne and suspect she’ll narrowly pull this out.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Andrew:
The young American is on the comeback trail in 2020 after a worrying spell on the sidelines. She was excellent in round one, 22 winners helping to fire her to a facile victory over Tatjana Maria. Muchova is another of the WTA’s young guns and her power ultimately saw her through the veteran Kirsten Flipkens in a match tie-break. Muchova is much higher ranked at the moment but Bellis certainly has the skills and the fire to come through this tie. Look for the American to progress here.
Prediction: Bellis in 3
Yesh:
This should be a great match between two of the future stars of the sport. Bellis might not be back at 100% (it’s hard to tell), but she’s definitely closer than she’s been in a while. She gets a toss-up against Muchova, who took the tour by storm last summer. Anyone could win, but I’ll go with the one who’s been at a higher level a little bit longer.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs Camila Giorgi
Tracey:
Over the three-set, first round clash, Vondrousova and Kuznetsova traded 16 service breaks. The Russian spectacularly converted on 75% of her opportunities. It’s really the first serve percentage which needs to lift as Kuznetsova won only 40% behind her second delivery. That allowed 10 service break opportunities. Giorgi can struggle with consistency but if Kuznetsova opens the door, the Italian will power through it. This match is really on the Russian’s racquet.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 3
Andrew:
The experienced Russian got the better of many people’s idea of a dark horse in Marketa Vondrousova. She should have too much for the Italian in this match-up as well.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 2
Yesh:
Kuznetsova took out Vondrousova in the opener, and this matchup against Giorgi should be easier. Giorgi does have incredible potential, but she’s really never lived up to it.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 2
Laura Siegemund vs Karolina Pliskova
Tracey:
Siegemund will be a bump in the road for the #2 seed, nothing more than that. In her opener, Pliskova blasted five aces, won 82% behind her first delivery and converted 67% of break point opportunities. Solid play from the second seed.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Andrew:
The Czech second seed climbed over a potentially difficult hurdle in round one and now that is out of the way Pliskova should improve with confidence. Her serving and groundstrokes should be too heavy for Siegemund to cope with.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Yesh:
Siegemund got a win in Melbourne, but that will be it. Pliskova is a title contender and will cruise here.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Garbine Muguruza vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Tracey:
Tomljanovic dominated Sevastova, dropping just two games. The Aussie won 81% on her first delivery. If the serve holds up, this will be an absolute battle. Muguruza dropped the first set of her opening clash with Shelby Rogers without earning a single game. Yet the Spaniard stormed back to take the next two sets, giving up a single game. Muguruza will need to be in top form and good health at the onset or Tomljanovic will run away with this one. If Muguruza is through the worst of her illness, she should move on to the third round.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Andrew:
The Spaniard probably had the most bizarre match of the first round. Looking out of the tournament after suffering a bagel in set one, the two-time Grand Slam champion lost only one more game in the rest of the match against Shelby Rogers. Tomljanovic thrashed Sevastova 6-1 6-1 and showed excellent form in front of her home crowd. A repeat of that level from the Australian could see her though this match as well.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 2
Yesh:
This should be a great match as well. It’s hard to think that Muguruza would lose, especially with her last two sets against Shelby Rogers. Still, it’s impossible to pick against Tomljanovic after what she did in the opening round. That was an incredible performance, and if she can replicate that she’ll go deep.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
