We wrap up the third round of the Australian Open on Saturday, Day 6 of the tournament. We’ve seen plenty of great tennis and some shocking upsets. There should be plenty of amazing tennis left to play. Who will win on Day 6? We’re predicting every match for you. This article contains four matches, and we have the other four in a separate article. Predicting today are Jim Smith, David Adair, and Tracey Essex.
Australian Open Day 6 Women’s Predictions
Simona Halep vs Yulia Putintseva
Jim:
Putintseva is surely never an opponent players want to face, with the Kazakh’s excellent forehand and combative attitude ensuring she is almost always a factor in matches. But Halep has a fine forehand of her own and has looked sharp so far at Melbourne Park, dismantling Jennifer Brady and Harriet Dart. Putintseva will almost certainly offer more resistance, but expect the fourth-seeded Halep to get across the line.
Prediction: Halep in 3
David:
It’s not hard to have a sense that the Australian Open already has a feel of last year’s Wimbledon in terms of draw potential for Halep. Elise Mertens or Bellis awaits the winner of this clash, followed by potentially Belinda Bencic in the quarterfinal. Halep will see this as too good an opportunity to miss. Putintseva is a definite contender for the ‘pocket rocket’ title upon Cilbukova’s retirement from the game, but the Kazakhstani won’t have enough for the defensive demon that is Simona Halep.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Tracey:
Putintseva is always capable of causing an upset. And she’s coming off a nice win over American Danielle Collins. But, Simona Halep is in exceptional form. Her defensive talents will be on full display and will be a key element in sending off Putintseva.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Angelique Kerber vs Camila Giorgi
Jim:
Kerber had made a poor start to the season, but she has rebounded impressively at the Australian Open and she will now surely be targeting a deep run. She will have to maintain that revival of form against the dangerous Giorgi, but if she does, it would be a major surprise not to see her beat the Italian, who she has not lost to in four previous meetings.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
David:
Kerber is an enigma wrapped in a riddle at Slams, especially recently. Just when it looks like she is building up form that has seen her take the title in Melbourne she loses inexplicably. This is what happened against Danielle Collins in last year’s Australian Open. Therefore, a confident pick in favor of Kerber becomes a tentative one.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Tracey:
Kerber is far from her best, but with a 4-0 head to head, I’ll back her for the win.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Kiki Bertens vs Zarina Diyas
Jim:
Bertens endured a frustrating end to 2019, just missing out on qualification for Shenzhen, but she played some good tennis to reach the last eight in Brisbane and is yet to drop a set at Melbourne Park. Diyas, meanwhile, has battled hard to reach the third round at the Australian Open for the third time. But although she did beat Bertens in their only previous meeting, that match was contested five years ago and it is hard to see a repeat of that result here.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
David:
Kiki Bertens is flying under the radar a little. She is 4-1 on the season, losing only to Naomi Osaka, and has long since shown she is far from just being a clay court specialist. Injuries have prevented the world #73 Zarina Diyas from fulfilling her potential. She has been as high as #31 and her line-finding accuracy could trouble Bertens, but the Dutch player’s class will be the deciding factor.
Prediction: Bertens in 3
Tracey:
Diyas has had a nice run, taking out the #21 seed Anisimova en route to this third round bout. But here’s where it ends. Bertens is will prove too much for the Kazakh.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
Belinda Bencic vs Anett Kontaveit
Jim:
Kontaveit is a very gifted player, but the Estonian has rather failed to kick on in recent years, spending too much time moored outside the world’s top 20 as a result, although a bout with glandular fever cannot have helped her cause. A similar charge cannot be leveled at Bencic, who has rebounded from a lean period to crack the top ten. Her greater ability to find a way to win matches looks likely to prove the difference in what should be a close contest.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
David:
2019 US Open semifinalist Belinda Bencic has not looked her best so far in Melbourne. Kontaveit hasn’t had the greatest of starts either. This will be a cagey affair, but Bencic should do enough to do it in two.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Tracey:
Belinda Bencic looked way to sharp against Jelena Ostapenko to pick against her now. The momentum shifts are no longer throwing the Swiss. I think she’ll sail through this one.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
