With sixteen matches on the slate on day five at the Australian Open, there should be plenty of entertaining tennis for the fans to enjoy at Melbourne Park. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Victoria Azarenka vs Clara Tauson, Elena Rybakina vs Anna Blinkova and Jessica Pegula vs Clara Burel. But who will advance?
Australian Open Day 5 Predictions
Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins
Jordan: Danielle Collins was outstanding at times against Angelique Kerber, hitting 47 winners, but she did have a drop in the doesn’t set. The American cannot afford that against Iga Swiatek, but if she finds her range, her powerful tennis is the style the world #1 likes the least. Collins will certainly need to play even better than the previous round. It is a huge call, but I think this could be an unexpected upset.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Jack: In a rematch of their one-sided semifinal two years ago, Swiatek is looking for revenge against Collins. They are at different stages of their careers, however—the Pole is amidst a 17-match winning streak on hard and Collins is still finding her form after a minor injury. The American won’t be afraid to bully the world #1’s serve again though so it’ll be an exciting encounter.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Katerina Siniakova vs Viktoriya Golubic
Jordan: Katerina Siniakova started slowly in her opening round, but eventually went through the gears to progress. The Australian Open is her least favourite Grand Slam but I still expect her to prevail. Viktorija Golubic got a great win against Veronika Kudermetova but I think Siniakova’s style will not suit her game as well.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Jack: I was surprised to see Golubic defeat Kudermetova but perhaps that is more of a reflection of the dips from the Russian rather than Golubic’s form. With a title under her belt and plenty of high level wins last year (went 9-6 vs top 50), Siniakova still looks like the more likely to get the win on paper.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
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Dayana Yastremska vs Varvara Gracheva
Jordan: Although Marketa Vondrousova was far below her best, Dayana Yastremska’s performance was still outstanding. Varvara Gracheva presents a different kind of challenge, and the Ukrainian will need to be adaptable. But she impressed me so much in the last round that I am backing her to do that successfully.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Jack: Yastremska’s demoliton of Vondrousova in the first round didn’t go unnoticed. Whilst we know the Ukrainian can blow hot and cold, she’s clearly benefitted from her route through qualifying and should be odds on to come out firing against Gracheva.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
Jasmine Paolini vs Tatjana Maria
Jordan: Jasmine Paolini was not at her absolute best against Diane Shnaider, but still won in straight sets. This is a good matchup for the Italian. Jasmine Paolini can be aggressive, but she is also adept at making her opponent move round the court with her consistency. I think that will overwhelm the German veteran Tatjana Maria.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Jack: I’m pretty confident in the improvements Paolini’s made over the past year. She’s consistently getting wins on every surface and won’t be perturbed by the lack of opportunities to attack against Tatjana Maria. Paolini should be able to outlast the 36-year-old here.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports