The second week at the Australian Open will begin with a blockbuster day of tennis. Remarkably, five of the eight players in action are Grand Slam champions and every player who steps on to court, whether they have lifted a Major or not, will have high hopes of forging a deep run in Melbourne. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, with our panel of Jim Smith, Damian Kust and Fraser Learmonth giving their picks for this slate of matches. But who will advance?
Australian Open Day Six Predictions
Serena Williams vs Aryna Sabalenka
Jim: This feels like a huge opportunity for Aryna Sabalenka to claim a statement win. Serena Williams recovered impressively after a slow start against Anastasia Potapova, but, in truth, the Russian threw away her advantage. Sabalenka, who at last looks to be making good on her promise, will surely not make the same mistake.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Damian: What a fourth round line-up this is. Sabalenka did her winning streak broken after a disappointing display last week, but she seems to be back in full flight here. Williams has been doing really well too and is yet to lose a match this year. Balls will be flying fast in this fascinating display of power hitting. If it goes the distance, Sabalenka’s fitness advantage could give her the win.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Fraser: Williams was below par in her third round match against Potapova. The 23-time Grand Slam likely wouldn’t be in the tournament if she had face someone more experienced in that match. She won’t have the same fortune here though. Sabalenka has charged into the top ten in the last six months and seems to finally have control of her immense power. Williams has the game to beat anyone on her day, but she looked too out of form for me to think she is capable of that levle here.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Hsieh Su-wei vs Marketa Vondrousova
Jim: Marketa Vondrousova looks to have recaptured the form that took her to the French Open final in 2019. She will need to be at her best up against Hsieh Su-wei, who is surely amongst the most difficult opponents to adapt to, but if the Czech can find her best tennis, she should prove too strong.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Damian: This the lowest calibre bottom-half match, but that doesn’t mean the entertainment value won’t be there. Hsieh has perhaps the most unique technique and playstyle on the circuit, making her a very tricky opponent to face. Especially for someone like Vondrousova, who plays a rather steady, topspin ball. The Taiwanese often excels in faster conditions, which allow her to make better use of her flat two-handed shots. This should be really tight, but I’ll take Hsieh to make her first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Prediction: Hsieh in 3
Fraser: Hsieh has done well to take advantage of a rusty Bianca Andreescu and an otherwise kind draw to make it into the fourth round in Melbourne. She is a tricky and unorthodox customer who can make anyone uncomfortable when she is in the mood. However, in Vondrousova she faces a rising star. the Czech has found her best form in Australia and is now looking like the player many thought she would become before injuries halted her momentum. She has the game to go deep in Melbourne and I think she goes at least one round further.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Iga Swiatek vs Simona Halep
Jim: This should be some match, although on that score it is in good company on day seven. Simona Halep will certainly have a point to prove after suffering a humbling reverse at the Pole’s hands at Roland Garros last season. But Iga Swiatek too will not want for motivation, and the 20-year-old has looked at least as sharp as Halep. She might just be able to score another statement win.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Damian: Swiatek’s win over Halep at this stage of last year’s Roland Garros was the springboard for her run to Grand Slam glory. The Pole will have to repeat that feat again as she will want to go at least a step further than in 2020 at the Australian Open. The conditions should suit her more than the Romanian and allow her to hit through the court with efficiency. As the Pole is not quite at her French Open best here, her streak of 20 sets won at Grand Slams in a row could get broken here. I expect her power and accelerations to be the deciding factor and a huge asset in important moments.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Fraser: This might just be the pick of the fourth round. These two have history, having taken turns dismantling each other in the last two versions of the French Open. both have looked solid so far in Australia and if they both bring their best tennis to this match it should be one to remember. Swiatek is a legitimate star and will surely win many Grand Slams in the future. However, I recently wrote about Halep being the true favourite in this tournament and I haven’t changed my mind as of yet. The Romanian is the only player left in this half who doesn’t have a losing head-to-head against anyone else left in this half in the last three years. She should keep that remarkable stat alive here.
Prediction: Halep in 3
[pickup_prop id=”4819″]
Garbine Muguruza vs Naomi Osaka
Jim: This is another hard match to call. Again, both Garbine Muguruza and Naomi Osaka have been in superb form so far in Melbourne, with neither having dropped more than a handful of games. But Muguruza has looked marginally more comfortable with the pace of the courts at the Australian Open. That might just give her a decisive, if slight, advantage.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Damian: It comes as a surprise that these two have never faced each other before but come to think of it, their peaks never really intercepted. Well, they might now as both have been ripping their opponents apart this week in Melbourne. Muguruza was only stopped by Barty at the Yarra Valley Classic, while Osaka decided to withdraw ahead of her semifinal at Gippsland Trophy. Both have enjoyed tremendous success at the Australian Open before and the quality on display should be absolutely excellent. I’ll go with Muguruza who’s been that slightly more impressive in the past two weeks or so.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Fraser: Winners galore look to be the order of the day here and the match will likely be decided by who finds their mark earliest and most often. Osaka looks unstoppable at the moment but Muguruza isn’t far behind and if both bring their best there really is nothing in this. Osaka has more recent Grand Slam wins to her name and drawing on that experience may well see her through but it will be close.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
