The Australian Open has burst into life with a number of stunning upsets and thrilling contests. 2018 champion Caroline Wozniacki saw her career end in a three-set defeat at the hands of Ons Jabeur, whilst six-time former champion Serena Williams crashed out against Wang Qiang. But there remains no shortage of star power in the top half of the women’s draw.
Eight women are set to battle for a place in the quarterfinals on day seven at Melbourne Park, including the world #1 and two of the most exciting young talents in the women’s game. As ever, we here at Last Word on Tennis will be offering our predictions across the board. Giving their picks for this slate of matches are Jim Smith and Andy Watson. Who will advance?
Australian Open Day 7 Predictions
Ashleigh Barty vs Alison Riske
Jim: Barty might have been slow off the mark against Lesia Tsurenko, but the Australian has improved sharply since, rallying to beat the Ukrainian 5-7 6-1 6-1, before dismantling Polona Hercog 6-1 6-4 and the in-form Elena Rybakina 6-2 6-3. However, she may well be more wary when she faces Alison Riske, who beat her at Wimbledon and who has been in good touch so far in Melbourne. That said, Barty looks to be firing on all cylinders and should have enough variety to get the better of the American.
Prediction: Barty in 3
Andy: Wimbledon 2019 anybody? Barty will surely be after revenge after that defeat ended her long unbeaten run and her chance of winning back-to-back Slams. The American showed her trademark fighting spirit in winning the crucial second-set tiebreak against Goerges in the third round. But whilst Riske was able to rush Barty on the grass at Wimbledon, the split second extra the Aussie will have on the slower courts in Melbourne will make the difference.
Prediction: Barty in 3
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Maria Sakkari vs Petra Kvitova
Jim: Petra Kvitova entered the Australian Open under a cloud of uncertainty after her withdrawal in in Adelaide, but she has more than dispelled that with three superb performances to reach the second week. She is yet to drop a set and has lost just 14 games so far. Sakkari too has played some fine tennis, with her 6-4 6-4 win over tenth seed Madison Keys in the third round particularly impressive. But Kvitova’s forehand gives her a weapon the Greek cannot match and that should prove the difference.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3
Andy: The Greek has been very impressive this tournament, finally producing the results her talent warrants on the biggest stage of all. Neither of the players has dropped a set so far and this should be a high-quality encounter. Their last match was on hard at Cincinnati last year and the Greek came out on top in three sets. Expect a similar result in Melbourne, with Sakkari possessing the quality to fight fire with fire.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
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Sofia Kenin vs Cori Gauff
Jim: Cori Gauff more than avenged her one-sided defeat at the hands of Naomi Osaka in New York by ending the Japanese’s Australian Open title defence with a 6-3 6-4 win. However, she faces in Sofia Kenin one of the most tactically astute players on the WTA Tour. Kenin may not have a standout weapon, but there are no real weaknesses in her game. And whilst Gauff’s win over Osaka was impressive, the result said more about Osaka’s performance than it did Gauff’s. Expect Kenin to prove just about too strong.
Prediction: Kenin in 3
Andy: Gauff is making a habit of winning big matches at Grand Slams, but whilst Gauff was solid on serve, she only hit only six winners against the Japanese. Kenin, meanwhile, had to battle hard against Zhang Shuai, but will emerge with belief having held her nerve to win in two. Gauff may suffer from a next round let down, whereas Kenin will know this is a big chance for her.
Prediction: Kenin in 2
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Wang Qiang vs Ons Jabeur
Jim: With both women having scored excellent wins in the third round to open up their section of the draw, both will now surely be desperate to take advantage and reach the quarterfinals. But it is Wang who enters this match as the favourite and rightly so. The Tunisian Jabeur played well in beating Wozniacki, but the 27th seeded Wang’s win over Williams was more impressive still. Expect her to back it up here.
Prediction: Qiang in 2
Andy: This may not be the matchup many were expecting, but Jabeur and Wang have more than earned their place in the fourth round. Jabeur has been hitting winners from all over the court, whilst Wang’s performance against Williams was one that will live long in the memory. Their head-to-head, however, is very one sided in Wang’s favour, with the Chinese winning in Shenzhen a fortnight ago for the loss of only three games. Jabeur may make this match more of a contest, but it is hard to see a different result.
Prediction: Wang in 2
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