The third round begins on Day 5 of the 2023 Australian Open. Who will advance to the second week? As always, we here at LWOT share our thoughts on all the matches with you. We split the day’s eight women’s matches between this and a separate article. Predicting today’s matches are Damian Kust, Shane Black, and Glenys Furness. Who do you think will win?
Australian Open Day 5 Women’s Predictions
Barbora Krejcikova vs Ahelina Kalinina
Damian:
Kalinina took out Kvitova in a match where her counter-punching skills were the key. The Ukrainian is in excellent form, but it feels like Krejcikova has a much more complete game and plenty of variety to avoid going for a hit-or-miss style against her.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 3
Shane:
Barbora Krejcikova and Anhelina Kalinina meet for the first time since Krejcikova won their French Open semifinal bout back in 2018. Both players’ game has massively improved since then and should give us fireworks in round three. In what I expect to be a very tight match, I will ride with Kalinina and her powerful groundstrokes.
Prediction: Kalinina in 3
Glenys:
Krejcikova is the 20th seed and so far has eased through the matches to this stage. The Czech will be relishing the prospect of facing the Ukranian again instead of her fellow Czech Kvitova. Krejcikova is not to be underestimated, after all she is a Grand Slam champion in singles, having won the 2021 French Open.
Kalinina has also made this stage without dropping a set. Taking out 15th seed Kvitova last round, the Ukranian will be wanting to follow that up with another seed scalp. It will be difficult for Kalinina however, as Krejcikova has the experience and the grand slam title already under her belt
Prediction: Krejcikova in 3
Elena Rybakina vs Danielle Collins
Damian:
The two have had pretty contrasting paths so far with Rybakina in crushing form, while Collins was made to work real hard twice. That doesn’t mean the Kazakh has to win this, but along with the amount of strapping on her opponent’s leg, I think it’s enough to call her the favorite.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Shane:
Elena Rybakina and Danielle Collins meet for the third time, having split their previous two encounters. This week, Collins has spent three hours and 37 minutes longer on-court than Ryabkina. Her inconsistencies will catch up to her against a pure ball striker like the 2022 Wimbledon champion.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Glenys:
Rybakina has reached the third round with very little trouble. The 22nd seed has not dropped a set yet. The Kazakh will find the American a sterner test and will need to be on her guard if she is to move on here in Australia.
Collins is the 13th seed and has had to battle her way through to this stage. Both her previous rounds have gone the distance. The American will hope for an easier time against the Kazakh, but won’t get it. They have played each other twice before, and have won one each. This could go either way.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Maria Sakkari vs Lin Zhu
Damian:
Sakkari was made to work hard by the 18-year-old Shnaider, who was able to really put her under pressure in the second round. She responded and now gets Lin Zhu, who should be a more comfortable last 32 opponent.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Shane:
Maria Sakkari survived a round two scare from Diana Shnaider. I believe this will be good for her going forward. Sakkari should come out focused against Lin Zhu and take care of business in two sets. Her power will be too much for the 28-year-old.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Glenys:
Sakkari first round match was a very easy match, however her second round was a much tougher battle. The Greek needs to perform on the big stages, and this is her first opportunity this season. Nothing is ever set in stone, and although she outranks her opponent, Sakkari will be wary.
Zhu has outplayed her ranking so far. The Chinese has eased through the first two rounds without dropping a set. Zhu has also dispatched a seed so far and will be after another. Zhu also lost the last meeting of these pair so will certainly want to correct that
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Coco Gauff vs Bernarda Pera
Damian:
Pera likes to keep opponents in the backhand corner with that lefty topspin forehand, but this is not a valid tactic against Gauff. The American should be pretty happy that Zheng lost in the previous round, because this is a much more pleasant matchup.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Shane:
Coco Gauff has started his 2023 season on a seven-match win streak without dropping a single set. Emma Raducanu pushed her in round two, so do not expect her to come out flat-footed against Bernarda Pera. Pera has been striking the ball well this week but does not have the tools or consistency to break through Gauff’s current form.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Glenys:
Gauff has made the fourth round here before, but not for a couple of years. The American is seventh seed, and although has won both rounds in straight sets her match against Brit Raducanu was a stern test. An all-American battle in the third round will be fun as neutrals as the Americans try and choose who to yell for.
Pera has already taken out the 29th seed in the previous round and will be looking to go back to back on that stat. The American has already made it the furthest at a Grand slam she has ever been by getting to this stage. Pera will want to go further and take out her compatriot. This match is tricky to call.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
