The third round wraps up on Day 7 of the Australian Open. The women battling it out on Saturday are the survivors of an incredible Day 5 at this event. Who do you think will win on Saturday? As always, our writers share their thoughts. We split the day’s matches between this and a separate article. Predicting Saturday’s matches are Jordan Reynolds, Damian Kust, and Glenys Furness.
Australian Open Day 7 Women’s Predictions
Emma Navarro vs Dayana Yastremska
Jordan:
There is a nice clash of styles to enjoy here. Navarro’s grit and spin vs the raw aggression of Yastremska. The American fought through in the last two rounds, but I am backing the lower ranked Yastremska. She was superb in the previous rounds, and if she strikes the ball as cleanly as that again, she can hit through Navarro.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Damian:
Navarro is playing so well to start the season, instantly showing she belongs on the main tour after her run at the very end of last year that allowed a big leap in the rankings. The Hobart champion has spent a lot of time on the court the past three weeks and perhaps we’re seeing the first signs of it getting to her? Yastremska might capitalize as a player who hasn’t lost the talent, just can’t quite put it together as often anymore.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
Glenys:
#27 seed, American Emma Navarro, has had to fight her way to the third round. Each match has gone the distance so far. Unseeded Ukranian Yastremska has a much easier route. Having come through the qualifying and into the main draw Yastremska has yet to drop a set. Her first round domination of #7 Vondrousova was impressive.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
Jasmine Paolini vs Anna Blinkova
Jordan:
Will Blinkova be physically and mentally ready for this one? It will be tough to refocus after defeating last year’s runner-up Elena Rybakina in the longest women’s tiebreak ever. This will be heightened by Paolini being very adept at making her opponents move round the court. I think the Italian can eventually make Blinkova run out of steam.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Damian:
What an opportunity for both women (and even all eight in that quarter now). Blinkova defeated Elena Rybakina in the best match tie-break we’ve ever seen at a Slam so far. She might be a bit tired after having to recover from that and we also know how tough it is to repeat that emotional high after a big win. Paolini seems like the more reliable player, who’s also in the form of her life.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Glenys:
#26 seed Paolini has eased through to the third round and not yet dropped a set. She has yet to face another seeded player. Had things gone to plan, Paolini would have been against #3 Rybakina. However, Blinkova upset the odds and stunned the Kazakh in a three set thriller. Scoring the win after the longest tiebreak (31 minutes) in Grand slam history. That has probably taken a bit out of the Russian and will be difficult to replicate.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Clara Burel vs Oceane Dodin
Jordan:
A clash between two Frenchwomen having great tournaments. Dodin is in her first Grand Slam third round, while Burel shocked Jessica Pegula in straight sets. I am going to back Burel to edge it. Dodin has a very aggressive style, but I think Burel will manage to blunt that style with her grit and determination enough to progress to the fourth round.
Prediction: Burel in 3
Damian:
It’s two big-hitting Frenchwomen here as Dodin is back on the big stages after a few years of struggling to control that hyper-aggressive playstyle. Burel has been steadily improving since the juniors too and the last year or so has been her best patch in professional sport. It’s a tough call but it’s the 22-year-old who tends to produce her best game more often.
Prediction: Burel in 3
Glenys:
Battle of the French players. Both have very similar paths to the third round. Dodin dispatched the #27 seed in straight sets in the first round, whilst Burel defeated the #5 seed in the second. Burel dominated the second set of that match to cause the upset. Neither have played each other before on the tour, despite being from the same country.
Prediction: Burel in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Linda Noskova
Jordan:
I was not surprised by how close Danielle Collins came to beating Swiatek; she has the style that can hurry the world No. 1. The Pole is unlikely to be pushed as hard here. Noskova is extremely talented and has had a good run already. But she does not have the same power as Collins to hurt Swiatek.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Damian:
Swiatek had to battle back from 1-4 and 2-4 0-40 down against Danielle Collins, emerging victorious as the backhand return of the American suddenly cooled off. Her draw has been a nightmare so far and worst of all the dangerous players are all stepping up too. Will it be the same with Noskova? Maybe, but anything less than a peaking performance from the Czech future star and Swiatek will almost surely advance.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Glenys:
The top seed hasn’t had everything her own way to this point. Although a straight set win in the first round showed intent, the second round was less straight forward. Losing a set to American Collins was certainly not in the script. Noskova has had a similar fight to get to this stage, however impressed in the first round. Knocking out #31 seed in straight sets. The Czech will be up for the fight. Swiatek has beaten the Czech in their only other meeting.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
