The 2021 Australian Open is underway and it has produced some thrilling and amazing match ups along the away. Indeed, it has also let us see some shocking surprises along the tournament. For instance, the 2020 women’s champion, Sofia Kenin, was eliminated by Kaia Kanepi in straight sets. Victoria Azarenka, Gael Monfils, Stan Wawrinka, Dan Evans, Lorenzo Sonego, Roberto Bautista Agut, David Goffin, Hubert Hurkacz, Marin Čilić, Kei Nishikori, Benoît Paire, Bianca Andreescu, Venus Williams, and other big names have also fallen in the first two rounds.
No doubt this has left the door open for newcomers to take the opportunity to further advance in the tournament. Despite these big names exiting early, there are still some great matches scheduled in the third round.
Best Third Round Matches at the 2021 Australian Open
Ons Jabeur vs Naomi Osaka
The 27th seed, Ons Jabeur, will take on the third seeded player, Naomi Osaka. This will be the first encounter between these two talented players. Without a doubt it will not be an easy match for the 2019 Australian Open champion. Ons Jabeur is a crafty tennis player full of trick shots. She has an unorthodox style of play that can trouble Osaka.
Although, Osaka will look to dominate the match from the start to avoid any surprises early in the contest. Osaka has yet to drop a set in this tournament and will try to continue this streak alive.
Veronika Kudermetova vs Simona Halep
This will be the first meeting between these two players. The Romanian comes from saving some match points against Ajla Tomljanović in the second round. She had to dig deep to get away from that hole that she was in. On the other hand, the young Russian comes from defeating her compatriot Varvara Gracheva in three sets. she dropped the first set but then took command of the match.
Absolutely it will be another tough test for Simona Halep, who must come on top against the 32nd seeded player. Halep is the heavy favorite not just in this match, but also a favorite to win the whole tournament. We will see if Kudermetova has anything different to say and produce a monumental disappointment for Halep.
Anastasia Potapova vs Serena Williams
The young Russian played Williams last year in this tournament and lost to the American in straight sets. That is the only encounter between the two players and Serena looks like the heavy favorite to win once again. She has yet to drop a set and looks incredibly great to reach her 24th Grand Slam title. Potapova has yet to drop a set as well so indeed one of them will see this stat evaporate.
Clearly, Serena will be looking to dominate this match and be in route to keep on creating history. Although, the young Russian teenager will look to produce one of the biggest upsets of the tournament thus far. No doubt it will be a great match to look forward to.
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Denis Shapovalov vs Felix Auger Aliassime
This will be the fifth meeting between these two Canadian young promising stars. Shapovalov leads their head to head with three wins and one loss. Their last meeting was at the US Open in 2019 where Denis took that match. Aliassime has only defeated Denis in a clay court event in the 2019 Mutua Madrid Open. Indeed Shapovalov is slightly the favorite as he is the 11th seed, although Felix is the 20th seed.
It will definitely be a thrilling match that looks like it will go the full distance. The two young players will try to continue their pursuit of a Grand Slam title and will battle it out to keep their dreams alive. It is a close match to call and we will see who will come out victorious in a great third round match.
Dominic Thiem vs Nick Kyrgios
The 3rd seeded player in the men’s draw will take his toughest test in this tournament thus far. He will face home favorite Nick Kyrgios it what looks to be a blockbuster match up. They have played once before in 2015 and Thiem won the match as Kyrgios retired from the match. Indeed these are different circumstances as both players have grown into some great players, especially Thiem who has a Grand Slam in his resume.
Kyrgios comes from an incredible comeback against Ugo Umbert where he saved some match points and forced a fifth and deciding set. On the other hand, Thiem has yet to drop a set and looks to be in the correct path to another deep run in this tournament. Kyrgios hasn’t played as much as Thiem has, but no doubt it will be the toughest match to call for a clear winner. We will have to wait and see who comes on top in this incredible encounter.
Fabio Fognini vs Alex de Minaur
This will be their first meeting and it is looking like a great one indeed. The Italian is coming from an epic second round match against fellow compatriot Salvatore Caruso. The match went to five thrilling sets and was decided on a tie-break were Fognini came out victorious. On the other hand, the young Australian has yet to drop a set and looks absolutely incredible.
We will see if the 16th seed Fognini can defeat the 21st seed in a match that looks to be an even one. Alex de Minaur will have the crowd in his favor, but Fognini has the experience and will use it to his advantage. No doubt this will be a great match that will produce some great tennis.
Novak Djokovic vs Taylor Fritz
Indeed Djokovic is the clear favorite in this match as he is the World No.1 and looks dangerous. In their head to head, the Serbian leads the series two to cero. Both times they played was on clay courts in 2019. He beat the American in Madrid and Monte Carlo without dropping a set. Clearly Djokovic is the heavy favorite, but the young American will try to do the impossible.
Fritz is seeded as the 27th seed and has already played nine sets in two matches. His last match went the distance with fellow compatriot Reilly Opelka. Hard courts is his favorite surface and we will see if he can trouble the World No.1 in their third meeting. Indeed Djokovic is the heavy favorite to win, but we will see if a big surprise is looming up ahead.
Unquestionably, all of these matches are some incredible ones. We will witness some extraordinary tennis at the highest level. We will also see if there are any surprises along the way or if the probable outcomes will occur. Altogether, these matches will keep the tennis fans entertained. So, just sit back, relax and enjoy the tennis.
Main Photo from Getty.
