Day 5 of the Australian Open on Friday is full of blockbuster matches. Eight of them, to be precise. Every single third-round match on Friday has incredible potential, and we here at LWOT are going to predict every single one of them for you. This article contains four matches, and we have a second set with the other four. Predicting today’s matches are Tracey Essex, Damian Kust, and Jim Smith.
Australian Open Day 5 Women’s Predictions
Madison Keys vs Maria Sakkari
Tracey:
A straight sets win over Nao Hibino was not quite as straightforward as Sakkari may have liked. The Greek superstar offered up ten break opportunities and landed 67% of her first deliveries. Obviously, she’ll need to do much better against tenth seed Madison Keys. The American has been playing with composure and blasting winners with her easy power. Will the Greek cheering section throw her? It may be a tad unsettling but nothing Keys cannot overcome.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Damian:
Keys has never really done that well in Australia but I think she’s ready to change it. Balls will be flying fast in this matchup but I believe the American’s level will fluctuate much less than Sakkari’s.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Jim:
Keys arrived at the Australian Open in good form and has played well so far in Melbourne, with solid wins over Daria Kasatkina and Arantxa Rus. But Sakkari presents a real step up in class for the American. But if Keys can marshal her power effectively, it should prove the difference in what looks likely to be a closely contested match.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Alison Riske vs Julia Goerges
Tracey:
Seems that when Alison Riske gets on a roll, she’s hard to stop. And, I think she has enough savvy to knock out the hard hitting German in straight sets.
Prediction: Riske in 2
Damian:
Riske has been in the best form of her life since the last season and will surely prove a tight contender here. Both ladies will try to stay on top in the rallies but it seems like Goerges’ serve and forehand combination should be more dangerous than anything out of Riske’s weaponry.
Prediction: Goerges in 3
Jim:
After a career-best 2019 season, Riske will surely be targeting a deep run in Melbourne and after a tough start up against Acapulco champion Wang Yafan, she was dominant against Zhu Lin, losing just four games. However, Goerges, who impressed in beating 12th seed Petra Martic from a set down, will provide a sterner test. But it is one that Riske is well-equipped to pass, provided she returns well.
Prediction: Riske in 3
Sofia Kenin vs Shuai Zhang
Tracey:
Zhang has won the only match against Kenin. But, that goes back to 2018 when Kenin was playing at a much different level. Kenin has become such a fighter battling through whoever stands in her path. It won’t be straightforward and it won’t be easy. But, Kenin should edge out the Hobart finalist with some effort.
Prediction: Kenin in 3
Damian:
The American has been steadily, yet a little quietly, improving–and all the signs point to her pulling out a good run at some near point in the future. Maybe that can happen here as the completeness of her game and the ability to adapt should take her over the line with Zhang.
Prediction: Kenin in 3
Jim:
Kenin has thus far made swift progress through her section of the draw, thrashing the qualifiers Martina Trevisan and Ann Li. Zhang Shuai too has looked sharp, recovering from the brink against Sloane Stephens before dismantling the inexperienced Caty McNally. But Kenin is a rather more dangerous proposition. Expect the American to march on.
Prediction: Kenin in 2
Serena Williams vs Qiang Wang
Tracey:
When Serena Williams is playing at this level, she’s a near unstoppable force. Her serving has been on and her groundstrokes blowing most opponents off the court. Certainly Wang’s consistency will challenge Serena. But, expect the American superstar to open the court and power past Wang.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Damian:
Serena sees the #24 so close yet so far from her, and it will take some performance to stop her. Not sure Wang has the class required to do it.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Jim:
Wang proved no match for Williams in their last meeting at the US Open, winning just one game. The Chinese was perhaps somewhat overawed by the occasion, she was playing in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, but Williams has looked in imperious form so far at the Australian Open and the American is riding a seven-match winning-streak. It’s hard to see her not extending that to at least eight wins in a row.
Prediction: Williams in 2
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