American women could breakthrough into the quarterfinals on day 8 of the Australian Open, but they all face tough matches with Shelby Rogers taking on Australia’s #1 Ash Barty, Jessica Pegula against Elina Svitolina, and Jennifer Brady against Donna Vekic. Our panel of Damian Kust and Steen Kirby offer their predictions.
Ash Barty vs Shelby Rogers
Damian: The two played one of the best matches of the tournament at the Yarra Valley Classic and it’s a shame it had to end with a super tie-breaker instead of a regular third set. Shelby Rogers will get a chance to take revenge here but can she do it? If she keeps up her aggressive style while limiting errors she definitely has a shot. Ashleigh Barty looks finally ready to go big in Australia though and should be extra motivated with some rivals like Pliskova or Kenin gone from the picture already. Barty in 3
Steen: The 24 year old Queenslander has never won the Australian Open, now we’re in the money stage of the tournament where champions are made. Rogers is a capable player with enough big hitting to test Barty, but the home player is 2-0 in the h2h including a win in one of the warm up tournaments this month. This will be close between players who have yet to drop a set this tournament, but Barty should take it. Barty in 2
Elise Mertens vs Karolina Muchova
Damian: Elise Mertens defeated Karolina Muchova in Ostrava just a few months ago. Both ladies played great at the Gippsland Trophy, Muchova losing to Kanepi while Mertens defeated the Estonian in the final. The Belgian has been particularly impressive, only dropping a single set in seven matches this year. Her extremely decisive victory over Belinda Bencic was a statement of amazing form and she should confirm that with a win here. Mertens in 2
Steen: The form of both players is great and both are riding confident highs with their game right now. Mertens owns the h2h and is firing the better of the pair though, so she’s a slight favourite. Mertens in 2
Donna Vekic vs Jennifer Brady
Damian: After a relatively poor period of play recently, Donna Vekic linked a couple of good performances together to make her best result at the Australian Open. This should be the end of the way. Jennifer Brady is not underrated at all anymore and she’s been ripping through the draw without any issues. In fact, the American has only lost 11 games so far. She’ll surely add a fair few to that number here, but she should be the one to make the quarterfinals here. Brady in 2
Steen: Brady hasn’t dropped a set, Vekic is will be happy to have reached this point as an underdog, but Brady should continue her great run of form and continue to build our her name in the sport. Brady in 2
Jessica Pegula vs Elina Svitolina
Damian: Elina Svitolina is known for underperforming at the Slams but it looks like she’s got another great opportunity to go far here. The Ukrainian had perhaps the toughest draw of anyone to reach the fourth round, but remarkably is still yet to lose a set. Jessica Pegula has been playing some of the best tennis of her life so far but she lost to Svitolina in Abu Dhabi a month ago and there’s little to indicate that the result will be different this time around. Svitolina in 2
Steen: Yet another great opportunity for an American underdog to breakthrough here, Pegula is playing excellent tennis, but Svitolina is just as impressive and owns the h2h, along with a better resume overall. Anything can happen, but I don’t see Pegula making it any further. Svitolina in 2
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