The first two of the women’s quarterfinal matches at the Australian Open will be contested on Tuesday in Melbourne. As always, our writers will share their thoughts on all the matches with you. This article has the two matches set on Sunday, and we’ll get the other matches to you when they’re set. Predicting these matches are Damian Kust, Jack Edward, Shane Black, Jakub Bobro, and Glenys Furness. Who do you think will win?<\/p>\n
Damian:<\/em> Jack:<\/em> Shane:<\/em> Jakub:<\/em> Glenys:<\/em>
\nOne thing\u2019s for sure, very few balls will not be played at 100% pace here. Both players scored great wins in the previous round, going huge against a world-class opponent who\u2019s vulnerable to extreme power. Rybakina\u2019s better serve probably gives her the edge<\/a> though as Ostapenko won\u2019t get quite as many free points.
\nPrediction: Rybakina in 3<\/em><\/p>\n
\nIt\u2019s always difficult to call any match with Jelena Ostapenko involved. She feels like a real threat when she gets to the latter stages of a big tournament though. After all, she\u2019s only made it to the quarters of 11 Grand Slam and WTA 1000 events combined out of the 76 she\u2019s played so far and we know what happened<\/a> at the French Open<\/a> in 2017. Elena Rybakina\u2019s style of play is a polished version of Ostapenko\u2019s but it still feels as though the ball is in the Latvian\u2019s court. I\u2019ll assume Ostapenko will be playing close to the peak of her powers.
\nPrediction: Ostapenko in 3<\/em><\/p>\n
\nBoth Jelena Ostapenko and Elena Rybakina have looked dominant in their four wins in Melbourne. Ostapenko has taken advantage of these slick courts with her aggressive style of play. Her power has been overwhelming, specifically in her fourth-round win over Coco Gauff. I have trouble seeing how Rybakina can redirect Ostapenko\u2019s power. The Latvian has won their two previous meetings in straight sets. I believe she does so once again.
\nPrediction: Ostapenko in 2<\/em><\/p>\n
\nRybakina and Ostapenko, both past Slam champions in their own right, pulled off some brilliant upsets to get to the final eight. Rybakina took out top seed Iga Swiatek 6-4 6-4 while Ostapenko eliminated Coco Gauff. Ostapenko has won both of their previous meetings and despite the fact that Rybakina is playing better now<\/a> than before. The Latvian is borderline unbeatable on her day but has the potential to self-combust on court.
\nPrediction: Ostapenko in 3<\/em><\/p>\n
\nOstapenko has only dropped one set so far and took out seventh seed Gauff last round. Rybakina took an even bigger scalp, taking out the top seed Swiatek in straight sets. Ostapenko leads the head to head, but anything can happen in a grand slam. Rybakina needs to watch out for the \u201cseed bounce\u201d after taking out the top seed.
\nPrediction: Ostapenko in 3<\/em><\/p>\n