{"id":63047,"date":"2024-01-17T05:00:25","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T10:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/?p=63047"},"modified":"2024-01-16T17:05:31","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T22:05:31","slug":"australian-open-day-5-womens-predictions-including-elena-rybakina-vs-anna-blinkova","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2024\/01\/17\/australian-open-day-5-womens-predictions-including-elena-rybakina-vs-anna-blinkova\/","title":{"rendered":"Australian Open Day 5 Women\u2019s Predictions Including Elena Rybakina vs Anna Blinkova"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a thrilling start to the Australian Open, the excitement is set to continue on day five at Melbourne Park. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Victoria Azarenka vs Clara Tauson<\/a>, Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins<\/a>, and Jessica Pegula vs Clara Burel<\/a>. But who will book their place in the third round?<\/p>\n

Australian Open Day 5 Predictions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Elena Rybakina vs Anna Blinkova<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Jordan: Last year\u2019s runner-up survived a shaky start against Karol\u00edna Pliskova to prevail in straight sets. I do not see Rybakina having too many issues here. Her power on serve and from the baseline will be very difficult for Blinkova to handle. Rybakina in straight sets.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Rybakina in 2<\/em><\/p>\n

Jack: Rybakina had one of those opening rounds that players are thankful for in hindsight. Pliskova really forced the world #3 to find another gear at this year\u2019s Australian Open. Though Blinkova is an accomplished hitter, the Kazakhstani shouldn\u2019t have any problems producing a similar performance.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Rybakina in 2<\/em><\/p>\n

Elina Svitolina vs Viktoriya Tomova<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Jordan: Svitolina is in great form but she needs to be wary here. Recent Hobart\u00a0 quarterfinalist Tomova has also looked good lately, and is capable of disrupting the Ukrainian\u2019s rhythm from the baseline. I will go with Svitolina to win, but this could be tighter than some expect.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Svitolina in 3<\/em><\/p>\n

Jack: With a comfortable win over wildcard Taylah Preston, Svitolina\u2019s picked up right where she left off in Auckland. Tomova has never made a huge dent at the Slams so this should be the former world #3\u2019s by a distance.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Svitolina in 2<\/em><\/p>\n

Emma Navarro vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Jordan: Navarro survived an incredibly tense three-set battle with Wang Xiyu. There will be many long rallies in this contest between two consistent players and good movers. It is likely to come down to who can last the longest. That edge goes to the very fit Navarro.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Navarro in 3<\/em><\/p>\n

Jack: With wins over Petra Martic, Elise Mertens, Wang Xiyu, Clara Burel, Magdalena Frech, Viktoriya Tomova, Yuan Yue and Elina Avanesyan this year, Emma Navarro\u2019s putting together an impressive body of work. Cocciaretto is very steady but Navarro\u2019s recent wins make her a fairly comfortable favourite in my eyes.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Navarro in 2
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>