Expect an entertaining fourth day at the Australian Open (assuming the weather cooperates) with 16 intriguing second-round matches on the schedule. 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 Marketa Vondrousova vs Ons Jabeur. But who will secure their spot in the third round?
Australian Open Day 4 Predictions
Taylor Townsend vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Jim: Taylor Townsend has plenty of power, though the American is not always able to harness it effectively. She will need to against Ekaterina Alexandrova. The Russian got her campaign off to a sharp start and her ability to take the ball down the line early could really trouble Townsend. It may be close, but Alexandrova looks the likelier winner.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Damian: It’s been a great month for Townsend, but this is a tough ask. She’ll need to try to avoid the power of Alexandrova, but it’s going to be hard to introduce her all-court tactics against someone who returns so aggressively and hits a very clean ball.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Yesh: Both of these players are competing so well right now. The two, combined, lost just five games in their opening matches. In singles, though, Alexandrova’s level is just a bit higher at the moment. Still, expect a great match.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
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Claire Liu vs Belinda Bencic
Jim: Belinda Bencic should win this match. The Swiss can be inconsistent and is perhaps short of a really reliable weapon up against the very best, but she has no glaring weaknesses and covers the court effectively. The same could be said of Claire Liu, but there is less power behind her groundstrokes and serve. That should be the difference here.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Damian: Bencic was absolutely excellent in Adelaide and is producing a very strong patch of play now. She’s often underwhelmed outside of the US Open when it comes to the Slams. It’s time to change that and she obviously has the talent to do it.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Yesh: Bencic often goes under the radar as she struggles in late rounds and big matches, but this is neither of those things, and her form is just way too good for Liu right now.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
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Anna Karoline Schmiedlova vs Camila Giorgi
Jim: Camila Giorgi was excellent in the first round, with the rumbling controversy about her vaccine status apparently not effecting her in the slightest. Anna Karolina Schmiedlova is a solid ball-striker, but it is hard to see how she will contain Giorgi’s power unless the Italian has an off-day.
Prediction: Giorgi in 2
Damian: Schmiedlova has been on fire since the qualifying draw and is simply executing her game with extreme regularity. Giorgi played her first match since the US Open to crush Pavlyuchenkova, who was out for even longer. It’s an interesting clash of styles and while the Italian has the weaponry, Schmiedlova could benefit from her better match rhythm.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 3
Yesh: Giorgi is so inconsistent, but when her aggressive game is working there are very few in the world who can beat her. It was working in her first match at the Australian Open. Will that continue?
Prediction: Giorgi in 2
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Leylah Fernandez vs Caroline Garcia
Jim: This should be a great match. Caroline Garcia will doubtless have high hopes of going deep into the second week, if not all the way, but of the two it is Leylah Fernandez who has actually played in a Grand Slam final. The Canadian may well do so again, but it probably won’t be this fortnight.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Damian: Quite a matchup and it will be fun to see Fernandez try not to get overrun by the hyper-aggressive style of Garcia. The Frenchwoman will have the upper hand here and it should be up to her execution. Seeking big returns on Fernandez’s serve could lead to her success here.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Yesh: What a second-round match here. Fernandez is the future, but Garcia is one of the best at present in the women’s game. I think everyone is just waiting for Garcia’s run of form to flame out, but it’s not happening yet.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
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