With 16 second-round matches on the schedule (and the weather hopefully set fair), it should be an entertaining day four at the Australian Open. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Aryna Sabalenka vs Shelby Rogers, Katie Volynets vs Veronika Kudermetova and Leylah Fernandez vs Caroline Garcia. But who will secure their spot in the third round?
Australian Open Day 4 Predictions
Irina-Camelia Begu vs Laura Siegemund
Jim: Irina-Camelia Begu is the favourite here, but it promises to be a close match. Neither player is blessed with massive power from the baseline, but both cover the court well. Both also had to work hard to reach the second round. But the Romanian has more gears to go through than Laura Siegemund.
Prediction: Begu in 3
Damian: Siegemund took their only hard court meeting seven years ago. This time, it’s probably Begu who deserves to be the favorite. She’s just made a semifinal in Adelaide and has been nowhere near as injury-plagued as her opponent.
Prediction: Begu in 3
Yesh: Begu pulled off a thrilling comeback over Elizabeth Mandlik in the opening round. Siegemund is a solid player, though, so Begu would need to raise her level to win another match. She can do it, but I don’t expect it right now.
Prediction: Siegemund in 3
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Nuria Parrizas Diaz vs Anastasia Potapova
Jim: Anastasia Potapova looked sharp, for the most part, in beating Sloane Stephens 7-6 6-4 in the first round, though a tally of one ace and six double faults is a concern. Still, she will have her work cut out against the experienced Nuria Parrizas Dias. Potapova has the quality to win this match, but don’t be surprised if it the Spaniard who reaches the third round.
Prediction: Parrizas Dias in 3
Damian: Parrizas Diaz scored a brilliant upset over Beatriz Haddad Maia in the opening round and will need to find it again now versus another talented opponent. It wouldn’t be the first time someone produced a big win and then failed to repeat that emotional high.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
Yesh: Parrizas Diaz did well to upset Haddad Maia late into Wednesday night in Melbourne. Unfortunately for her, Potapova was even better in taking out Stephens.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
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Donna Vekic vs Liudmila Samsonova
Jim: Donna Vekic had to dig very deep to get past Oksana Selekhmeteva in her opener, but eventually outlasted the Belarusian in a third-set champions tiebreak. But unless she can find a sharp improvement, her Australian Open will come to an end here at the hands of Liudmila Samsonova.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Damian: Vekic struggled in the opening round against Selekhmeteva and the draw doesn’t get easier for her at all. Samsonova could be one of the contenders to climb the rankings this year, but she’s definitely not a given to prevail in this battle for baseline dominance. The Russian does have a lot more raw power.
Samsonova in 3
Yesh: Samsonova looks in good form, while Vekic needed a match tiebreak to advance past a weaker player. Advantage Samsonova.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
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Marketa Vondrousova vs Ons Jabeur
Jim: A battle of former-Grand Slam finalists in the second round is a match to be savoured. But Vondrousova is not the player she was when she reached the final at Roland Garros back in 2019. There have been encouraging signs from the Czech, but Ons Jabeur is going from strength and this should be a comfortable enough day at the office for the Tunisian.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Damian: Jabeur had some slight physical issues in her opening round vs Zidansek, but found a way to prevail. Vondrousova is an extremely tough draw as the Czech is still under-ranked after an injury hiatus. She’s very capable of pulling off the upset here.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Yesh: Jabeur did not appear at her best in the first round. She survived and advanced, though, and has a good matchup against a player who hasn’t found her best form in years.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
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