It’s Day 4 of the Australian Open on Thursday in Melbourne. The tournament wraps up Round 2, and we at LWOT are predicting every match of the day for you. This set of predictions looks at four matches. We also have three more sets, featuring Elina Svitolina vs Lauren Davis, Garbine Muguruza vs Ajla Tomljanovic, and Iga Swiatek vs Carla Suarez Navarro. Predicting today’s matches are Tracey Essex, Andrew Watson, and myself (Yesh Ginsburg).
Australian Open Day 4 Women’s Predictions
Danielle Collins vs Yulia Putintseva
Tracey:
Collins started 2020 strong and shows no signs of letting up. I think the UVA alum will be chalking up another win.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Andrew:
This match is likely to go the distance. Collins was in superb form in the pre-Australian Open tournaments but seemed to struggle in Round 1. Putintseva is always capable on the right day of beating anybody. However, the stronger serving and sheer will of Collins should get her past the Kazakh.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Yesh:
Collins is in supreme form right now, and Putintseva can struggle against players using good power tennis. Collins probably can’t quickly overpower her, but the American should win.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Zarina Diyas vs Anna Blinkova
Tracey:
Diyas’ first round knock out of 21st seed Amanda Anisimova is nothing short of spectacular. The American couldn’t command with her serve and Diyas took full advantage of that deficiency. Blinkova didn’t face an elite opponent in her opener. Yet the Russian yielded her serve on four occasions. It’s an interesting match-up and I see a motivated Diyas edging this out.
Prediction: Diyas in 3
Andrew:
Diyas produced an inspired display to defeat Anisimova in the last round. Blinkova had an easier time against Paolini, but still impressed. This is another likely three set match but the edge just goes to the better form of Diyas.
Prediction: Diyas in 3
Yesh:
Blinkova is a solid player, and it’s hard for Diyas to sustain the level that she had against Anisimova for another match. I’ll go with the momentum here, but don’t be surprised if the Kazakh player falls here.
Prediction: Diyas in 3
Kiki Bertens vs Arina Rodionova
Tracey:
Here’s hoping the Achilles tendon injury which prompted the Dutchwoman’s withdrawal from Adelaide is healed. Bertens said it was done for an abundance of caution. And, in her first round victory over Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu, the Dutch moved quite well. Unless there’s a lingering problem, Bertens will move through with ease.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
Andrew:
The home favorite won a key tiebreak in her second set against Bondarenko in the first round to set up an easy third set. The bagel achieved there will give her great confidence. However, it will take more than that to defeat a legitimate top ten player in Bertens. Bertens will likely have too much serving power and consistency for Rodionova.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
Yesh:
Bertens should win this easily. She’s just too powerful and consistent for Rodionova to beat right now.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
Belinda Bencic vs Jelena Ostapenko
Tracey:
Jelena Ostapenko had a nice win against Ludmilla Samsonova. Yet, Samsonova’s game isn’t troublesome in the least. Not quite the case when Ostapenko meets Belinda Bencic. Her game can trouble the Latvian. This is where Jelena will need settle in for long rallies and be prepared to cleverly set up her points. Not her strong suit.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Andrew:
The Latvian showed signs of life at the back end of 2019 after a poor spell following her amazing French Open win. Bencic too has been on a comeback story though has started 2020 fairly slowly. Expect the Swiss’ more consistent game to win the day here.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Yesh:
Ostapenko was impressive in her opener. Bencic might be the better player overall right now, but she had some surprising eye-popping losses in the lead-up to this tournament. I think the 2017 French Open champion finds the upset here.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
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