Australian Open '13 - Five encounters to watch on Day 5

Friday marks the beginning of the third round at the Australian Open and with most of the top seeds still alive in both the men’s and women’s draws, there is plenty of exciting tennis in store for the fans. Here is our pick of the matches to watch out for on Day 5 in Melbourne.

(2) Maria Sharapova vs. Venus Williams – Head to Head, Sharapova leads 4-3.

Venus Williams

Ever since the draw was released last weekend, this has been the third round match that everyone has been hoping for in the women’s side. Sharapova came into the event with question marks on her fitness but has silenced any doubters as she has not lost a game in two matches (Remember how she used to have the serving yips?). When the Russian is playing this confidently, she is hard to beat. Venus Williams, on the other hand, may have won more slams than Sharapova, but the 32 year old American’s fitness will always remain in scrutiny after her Sjorgen’s Syndrome diagnosis. Venus has been playing well in recent weeks too. She went undefeated at the Hopman Cup in Perth and has won both her matches here with ease. Venus can match Sharapova stroke-for-stroke. Plus, she moves better and attacks the net better than the Russian. Venus will need to be at the absolute top of her game if she hopes to win on Friday. Anything else should see the Russian through.

Prediction – Venus Williams in straight sets.

(13) Ana Ivanovic vs. (22) Jelena Jankovic – Head-to-Head, Ivanovic leads 7-3.

Ana Ivanovic

The narrative has been told plenty of times before – both Serbians, both former world no. 1s, both struggling to remain relevant over the past few years. Add their frosty relationship over the years and this one should be worth viewing. I was surprised by Ivanovic’s dominance over her compatriot in head-to-head but it is worth noting that the two have split their last four meetings. Expect plenty of long baseline rallies, Jankovic theatrics and Ana fist-pumps. Let’s just hope the best tennis is on show.

Prediction – Ivanovic wins in three sets.

(5) Angelique Kerber vs. Madison Keys – First Meeting.

Madison Keys

Anytime a young exciting teenager takes on one of the top seeds in the draw, it’s worth to stop and take a look. 17 year old Madison Keys has been making all the right noises in the past few weeks. The American hits a big serve and even bigger groundstrokes. Plus she seems self-assured – perhaps a sign of her youth more than anything else. Kerber comes in as one of the most consistent players in the last 18 months. The German is up to no. 5 in the world but expect Kerber to drop in the rankings in 2013 as the pressure of defending all those points catches up. Yet on Friday, she will mostly still have too much experience for the teenager, who Lindsay Davenport calls the best American talent since the Williamses.

Prediction – Kerber in three sets.

(4) David Ferrer vs. (28) Marcos Baghdatis – Head to Head, Ferrer leads 3-1.

David Ferrer

This one has four-hour baseline-slugfest written all over it. Ferrer comes in as the no. 4 seed in the absence of Rafael Nadal. And even though he won the Auckland title, Ferrer is not considered to be a threat to the Big Three. The Spaniard is a solid hardcourt player who can hit with topspin all day and run like an energiser bunny all night. His opponent is the charismatic Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, a former finalist here and still one of the biggest crowd favourites in Melbourne. Baghdatis is no longer an elite player but he sure makes it fun and thrilling to watch. And he usually reserves his best for the Grand Slams. In the end, Ferrer’s perseverance will be a bit too much for the Cypriot’s flamboyance.

Prediction – Ferrer wins in four sets.

(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Radek Stepanek – Head-to-Head, Djokovic leads 7-1.

Novak Djokovic

World no. 1 Novak Djokovic was in superb form in his first round match here in Melbourne. The Serb is the best hardcourt player in the world these days. While we’re used to seeing his brilliance from the back, watch this match for the aggressive tactics of his opponent, the 34 year old Czech Radek Stepanek.

Stepanek is one of those rare serve-n-volley players and the Czech will try to find his way to the net on Friday too. Djokovic should find the angles to pass him but expect some entertaining tennis in this duel, even if it does not stretch beyond straight sets.

Prediction – Djokovic wins in straight sets.