Australian Open: Women’s singles matches to watch out for in the 3rd round
The biggest talking point in the past few days at Melbourne Park has been the searing heat and the rules for enforcing the extreme heat policy. With fainting ball boys and players fearing for their health, the heat wave has definitely added a new dimension to the game of tennis. Thankfully, the weather prediction for the weekend is for cooler temperatures, bringing some much needed respite for the players. But the players would now have to face the heat of the high intensity matches to come.
The women’s section of the draw has seen some upsets on the way to the third round, while the usual suspects have made it through unscathed. Here are some mouth-watering clashes for tennis fans from the women’s third round:
Samantha Stosur vs Ana Ivanovic
Ana Ivanovic
Topping the list of matches to watch out for is the clash between Ana Ivanovic and Sam Stosur. Apart from being a clash between former Grand Slam winners, the home advantage or pressure for Stosur could play a significant role in deciding the course of the match. Both players have had a contrasting start to the year. On one hand, the Australian lost all her matches at the Hopman Cup while on the other Ivanovic began the year with a title in Auckland. A head-to-head of 4-3 in favor of Stosur further spices up the encounter.
Both players’ careers have taken similar turns; each has won a Slam but has never been able to replicate that performance again. They would certainly want to turn the tide in the New Year, and what better place than the Australian Open?
Expect a close encounter that would be a treat for tennis fans.
Maria Sharapova vs Alize Cornet
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 16: Maria Sharapova of Russia celebrates winning her second round match against Karin Knapp of Italy during day four of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
After a Herculean battle in testing conditions in the second round, Maria Sharapova will face Alize Cornet in the next round. 25th seed Cornet would be a tricky opponent for Sharapova after a mentally and physically draining previous round encounter. Cornet also had a difficult previous round where she had to win 5 consecutive games in the final set to beat rising Italian player Camila Giorgi. Cornet has been known to cause some headaches for the top 10 players and could spoil Sharapova’s comeback party.
Jie Zheng vs Casey Dellacqua
Jie Zheng has always performed her best at the Australian Open, having made it to the semifinals here in 2010 and the later rounds on multiple occasions. The Chinese would be up against Australian Casey Dellacqua. Dellacqua started her career on a bright note but a recent decline in form has resulted in her ranking dip to 120. Undoubtedly, Zheng would be the favorite for the match but Dellacqua, backed by the crowd, could give some jitters to her Chinese rival.
Carla Suarez Navarro vs Dominika Cibulkova
Another match between two players of similar calibre would be between Carla Suarez Navarro and Dominika Cibulkova. Keep an eye on this match; it could easily turn into a classic marathon encounter.
Among the seeds, Victoria Azarenka will face unseeded Yvonne Meusburger while Radwanska would be up against former Australian Open junior champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Serena Williams has a tough opponent in experienced Daniela Hantuchova in her third round encounter. Meanwhile, two-time Australian Open finalist Li Na will clash against 26th seed Lucie Safarova for a place in the final 16.