The Australian Open is now well underway and the entertaining action should continue on day six with eight third-round matches on the schedule. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Caroline Garcia vs Laura Siegemund. But who will book their place in the round of 16?
Australian Open Day 6 Predictions
Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens
Jim: It’s been a very good tournament so far for Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian can struggle for consistency, but so far her game has been in excellent working order. When that is the case, she is a very hard player to stop. If her level drops, Elise Mertens is good enough to take advantage, but otherwise expect to see Sabalenka advance.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Damian: Sabalenka looks so ready for this and it’s going to be extremely hard to stop her from getting that first Grand Slam title. There are plenty of opponents left in the draw who could do it, but Mertens is not one of them (unless the Belarusian has a terrible day at the office).
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Yesh: Sabalenka looks in fine form, but her history says that can’t last. Is Mertens the right person to take advantage? I’m not sure, but if this goes deep the Belarusian might begin to crack.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
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Magda Linette vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Jim: This is a real opportunity for both to reach the second week at a Major, but it is Ekaterina Alexandrova who looks better placed to take advantage. She made a worryingly slow start against Taylor Townsend, but has otherwise looked very sharp so far in Melbourne. More of the same should see her past Magda Linette.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Damian: Linette played some ridiculous tennis in the last two sets against Kontaveit, mixing up her serves well and really standing up to the Estonian’s power. She’ll need to do that again here as Alexandrova plays with rapid pace. She’s not without a chance.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Yesh: Alexandrova did very well to survive her last match, and her variety should be able to handle Linette’s power. I see another win for the rising Russian.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
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Zhang Shuai vs Katie Volynets
Jim: Katie Volynets delivered surely the best performance of her career to date to stun the ninth seed Veronika Kudermetova. But it might be a case of after the Lord Mayor’s show for the American here. Zhang Shuai has enough experience to manage this occasion and book her spot in the round of 16.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
Damian: Volynets was handed the win by Kudermetova, but it’s not like she cannot play. The Dunlop balls seem to suit Zhang well as the trajectory of her strokes is very flat in the first place. She should be making it to the fourth round here.
Prediction: Zhang in 2
Yesh: Volynets has been a revelation this tournament. I don’t know if it will continue, but I certainly hope it does. She’s a ton of fun to watch. And this matchup is favourable to her, as well.
Prediction: Volynets in 3
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Marketa Vondrousova vs Linda Fruhvirtova
Jim: Will this be the moment Linda Fruhvirtova truly announces herself on the world stage? Quite possibly, she has certainly impressed enough so far to suggest that she can reach the fourth round. But then so has Marketa Vondrousova. She was excellent against Ons Jabeur and has that much more experience of the big occasion.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Damian: Vondrousova is playing some great tennis right now and is clearly back to her pre-injury form. She’s not the kind of opponent that Fruhvirtova can frustrate with her excellent defense, she’s way too good at moving the ball around the court with her lefty topspin forehand.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Yesh: Vondrousova bullied a woeful Jabeur late Thursday night (though not as late as Andy Murray’s match), but Fruhvirtova is on a mission here. This will be a breakthrough event for the young Czech.
Prediction: Fruhvirtova in 3
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