Day 9 of the Australian Open will see two women’s quarterfinal matches, and they should both be great. Three of the four women here are title favorites, and Su-wei Hsieh is in the middle of the best run of her career. These should be great matches, and we’re predicting both for you. We also have predictions for the two men’s quarterfinal matches on Tuesday. Predicting these matches are Jim Smith, Damian Kust, David Gertler, Steen Kirby, and Fraser Learmonth.
Australian Open Day 9 Women’s Predictions
Naomi Osaka vs Hsieh Su-wei
Jim:
Osaka had looked in imperious form in coming through the first week, before digging in to edge out Garbine Muguruza in the fourth round. She will be presented with a very different challenge when she comes up against Hsieh, but it is one that she should be able to negotiate more easily.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Damian:
Naomi Osaka barely survived her fourth round match against Garbine Muguruza, saving two match points. The level on display was pretty amazing and the Japanese is looking like one of the contenders to win the whole thing. But Su-Wei Hsieh is always dangerous with her completely unique technique and style. Osaka leads the head-to-head 4-1 but only one of these five matches finished in straight sets. She should have the mental composure to get through but Hsieh should give her some trouble again.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
David:
Su-wei Hsieh is into her maiden Slam quarterfinal after a tough draw, while Naomi Osaka had to save match points against Garbine Muguruza to reach the final eight. These two have played some epic matches in the past, but Osaka’s serve and experience at the latter stages of Grand Slams are hard to ignore. Great job for Hsieh to get to this point, but Osaka is too good.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Fraser:
Hsieh has played superb tennis to make it this far in the tournament. The awkward double-hander off both wings has made life difficult for every opponent she has faced and has an aggression to her game I haven’t seen before. She is stepping in and putting points away rather than relying on her awkward style to throw opponents and win points for her. That’s a dangerous combination and she is deserving of her spot in this quarterfinal. However, she faces arguably the best player in the women’s game over the last three years in Naomi Osaka.
Osaka has won a Grand Slam every time she has made it past the fourth round in any such tournament. She may not win this Major, but she will win this match and extend her winning streak to 19 matches behind powerful serves and groundstrokes that will simply be too much for Hsieh to handle.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Steen:
Hsieh is playing well and has a previous H2H win. Osaka is also coming off a challenging three setter. With that said, Osaka still dominates the H2H and has a more well rounded game. An upset is possible but I don’t see it in the cards.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
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Serena Williams vs Simona Halep
Jim:
This promises to be some match. Neither woman has looked entirely at their best so far, but both have been playing with commendable determination. But Halep might just be the better placed of the two. Her ability to take the ball early and her excellent return game should give her the chance to negate Williams’ biggest strengths.
Prediction: Halep in 3
Steen:
Two tennis legends battle in this one. Halep has won a few times against Serena and will enter with confidence but Williams dominates the H2H. Both are playing well and it’s a shame this is only a quarterfinal, but Serena has to be the favorite here.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Damian:
Serena Williams has a very healthy 9-2 head-to-head lead but can she keep adding to that at 39 years old? She lost the last one at the expense of Simona Halep at Wimbledon two years ago, in a perfect display of defense from the Romanian. Williams was also very slow on the legs, something that seems to have improved by now. You can never count out the greatest of all time but her level of play has been fluctuating a lot more than Halep’s in this tournament. Consistency should prevail.
Prediction: Halep in 3
David:
Serena Williams played an excellent, mentally-tough match to get past Aryna Sabalenka to reach the quarterfinals. Simona Halep is quietly making her way through the draw and just picked up a huge win over Iga Swiatek. I keep going back-and-forth on this one. I just think that Halep’s incredible ability to counterpunch with the depth and accuracy she is known for will befuddle Serena, although it will be closer than the 2019 Wimbledon final.
Prediction: Halep in 3
Fraser:
The rematch tennis fans around the world have been hoping for since Halep blew Williams off the court in the final of Wimbledon in 2019. Halep did well to grind out a win agaisnt Iga Swiatek and book her place in this match. Serena WIlliams faced equally stiff competition from Aryna Sabalenka but managed to get the job done. I was one of many who thought Williams’ movement wouldn’t be up to par in this tournament after her struggles last year. However, she has put those doubts to bed and looks every bit the 23-time Grand Slam winner we expect her to be. However, I think Halep has her number.
The diminutive Romanian is counterpunching and moving opponents around the court so well at the moment. If she carries on doing so I think we will see a repeat of the WImbledon final. It may be closer than that demolishing, but I still think Halep gets it done and should be the favourite to win it all given her record against the remaining field in recent years.
Prediction: Halep in 2
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