Day 8 at the Australian Open means that we are wrapping up the fourth round and setting the quarterfinals. There are four women’s matches on Monday, and we’re here to predict all of them for you. And yes, we also have predictions for the four men’s matches. Predicting today are Jim Smith, Andrew Watson, and Ryan Schick.
Australian Open Day 8 Women’s Predictions
Anett Kontaveit vs Iga Swiatek
Jim:
Both Kontaveit and Swiatek arrive into the fourth round after recording superb wins in the last 32. But as well as the Pole Swiatek has been playing, Kontaveit’s 6-0 6-1 win over sixth seed Belinda Bencic was so impressive that it is hard to see her failing to back it up in the fourth round, although the Pole has the quality to keep this competitive.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 3
Andrew:
This encounter will feature two hugely impressive in-form players. Both players have blitzed through their draws in a flurry of winners and power tennis. The slightly greater experience and slightly more variety of the Estonian could see her edge this battle.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 3
Ryan:
Both players are coming off of massive straight set upsets last round. Kontaveit dominated Bencic, who is a good hard court player. Bencic didn’t play her best, but it was more telling of Kontaveit’s potential when she player her best tennis. Swiatek won’t go down easy, but Kontaveit has been locked in and will advance.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 2
Garbine Muguruza vs Kiki Bertens
Jim:
Muguruza scored a stunning win over Elina Svitolina in the third round, one she will surely be desperate to back up against Holland’s Bertens. But the Dutchwoman has been in fine form so far at Melbourne Park, having not yet dropped a set. It is hard to see her maintaining that perfect record up against Muguruza, but Bertens is the superior baseliner and should have enough to reach the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Bertens in 3
Andrew:
Muguruza lost the first set in this Australian Open 6-0 to Shelby Rogers. Since then the Spaniard has been absolutely outstanding and playing in a way that reminds us all of how she became a two-time Grand Slam champion. Bertens has done well to get to this stage as well and has proven her ability on this surface. If Muguruza continues to play the way she did against Svitolina then Bertens is going to struggle. However, Bertens has bigger weapons than the Ukrainian so this could turn into an arm-wrestle, but one that the Spaniard should prevail in.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Ryan:
This is probably the toughest match to pick of the four, simply because we have no clue which Garbine Muguruza will show up to play. We’ve seen what the two-time grand slam champion can do at her best, as seen in her third round beatdown of Elina Svitolina, but her struggles have been extreme as well, not even being seeded in Melbourne. This match will come down to Bertens being the better hard court player, which will give her a slight edge.
Prediction: Bertens in 3
Angelique Kerber vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Jim:
This is a match that could go either way. Both women have looked in fine form so far at the Australian Open, but it is the German Kerber who has the real Grand Slam pedigree. She won’t have things all her own way, but expect her experience to prove the difference.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Andrew:
Kerber has been solid so far and has crept through the draw quietly. Pavlyuchenkova defeated Karolina Pliskova whilst hitting an incredible 51 winners. This match will boil down to attack vs defense, and whilst attack is almost always favored by the fans, a solid defense is often the most effective attribute in these match-ups. Kerber is dangerous in the latter part of Grand Slams and Pavlyuchenkova has been disappointing in these spots before.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Ryan:
Kerber is finally looking like her 2017 version with the tennis she has played in Melbourne, making her a danger to anyone. Pavlychenkova had a huge upset over #2 seed Pliskova and her serve will keep her in any match. Kerber will be able to do just enough to win the key points and earn a victory.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Elise Mertens vs Simona Halep
Jim:
Mertens had looked to be in trouble against CiCi Bellis in the third round after the American took the second set on a tiebreak to take the match the distance, but the Belgian dominated the decider to win it to love. However, Halep has looked sharp so far in Melbourne with the Romanian yet to drop a set. Expect her to prove too strong for Mertens.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Andrew:
This will be expected to be a high quality encounter. Their last match was on hard court in 2019 and the Belgian came out on top in three sets. This match may well go the distance as well but in this occasion the Romanian is favoured to progress due to the extra experience in the big-match environment.
Prediction: Halep in 3
Ryan:
After waiting years for her first Grand Slam, Simona Halep seems to be ready to win her third different Slam. The 2018 finalist has yet to drop a set all week. Mertens has been clinical in dispatching other players, but Halep is just too good. Halep should win comfortable and inch one step closer to the title.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
