There should be no shortage of entertaining tennis on day five at the Australian Open with 16 matches on the schedule in Melbourne. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins, Elena Rybakina vs Anna Blinkova and Jessica Pegula vs Clara Burel, but who will advance?
Australian Open Day 5 Predictions
Victoria Azarenka vs Clara Tauson
Jordan: The two-time champion in Melbourne was made to work hard by Giorgi in round one. That competitive match could end up helping her for future contests. She thrives in the Australian conditions more than anywhere else and I expect her to have to much for Minnen, who will fight hard but is unlikely to have enough.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Jack: The result of this one depends on where Clara Tauson is in her reemergence on the tour. If she’s at her best, Azarenka will face an extremely difficult task. There hasn’t been enough of a sample size to back the Dane’s form, however, so I’m more inclined to back last year’s semifinalist.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Jelena Ostapenko vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Jordan: It was some effort from Tomljanović to come back from 4-1 down in the third set against Petra Martic. She may still be feeling slightly fatigued after that though. It may then be a good thing that Ostapenko tries to keep the points short. However. I still think the in-form Latvian will hit through her Australian opponent.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Jack: I’ve said it in the past—it’s silly to back Ostapenko with complete certainty. Her form has been inarguable, however. With some probable ups and downs, she’s the favourite against the home hopeful, Ajla Tomljanovic.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
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Linda Noskova vs McCartney Kessler
Jordan: Noskova was hugely impressive against her older and seeded compatriot Marie Bouzkova in the last round. She picked the perfect moments to be aggressive and rush Bouzkova, shaking a great tennis IQ for a 19-year-old. Kessler beat Fiona Ferro to get here, but Nosková is likely to be too big a hurdle.
Prediction: Noskova in 2
Jack: McCartney Kessler, the wild-card from America, was given a fairly comfortable first round opponent in Fiona Ferro. She’ll now play the highest ranked opponent she’s ever faced in Linda Noskova. The conditions suit the 19-year-old’s huge strikes, however, so it’ll be an uphill battle for Kessler.
Prediction: Noskova in 2
Emma Raducanu vs Wang Yafan
Jordan: Raducanu may have had a good draw against Shelby Rogers. Who was playing her first match since Wimbledon. But the 2021 US Open champion still impressed a lot. Wang incredibly fought back against Sorana Cirstea after losing the first set 6-0, but this time I think it is Raducanu who will fight through in three sets.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Jack: Raducanu’s first round win over Rogers doesn’t prove much given the American has just come back from injury. Though Raducanu will be better tested against the consistency of Yafan Wang, I still think she’s found her feet enough to come through a difficult affair.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Main photo credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
