Matches to watch out for on Day 7
Sunday marks the beginning of the fourth round at the Australian Open. The middle weekend of any Grand Slam always offers some exciting and this time should be no different. Here’s our pick of the matches to look forward to on Day 7 in Melbourne.
(4) Agnieszka Radwanska vs (13) Ana Iavnovic
Head-to-Head Radwanska leads 4-3
Last year, Victoria Azarenka began the season with a 26-0 record that included her first Grand Slam title and helped her become world no. 1. Is Agnieszka Radwanska in the midst of a similar streak? The lightweight Pole has won 12 matches in a row to begin the year and has yet to lose a set. Radwanska began the season well last year too. In her first 8 events, she lost to only two players – five times to one of them – and that was Azarenka. With Azarenka safely tucked away into the other half of the draw, the Pole could make a run to her second Slam final here in Melbourne. Her opponent on Sunday has something that Agnieszka does not – a Grand Slam title. Ivanovic won her solitary slam in Paris in 2008 but has since slipped out of the top echelon of the game. While she has returned to the top 15, Ivanovic still struggles against the top names in the game today. Radwanska has won their last four meetings and the last time Ivanovic beat the Pole was in 2008. For Ana to win, she will have to fire on all cylinders. But when Ana starts thinking on the court, her game seems to fall apart and Radwanska wil surely give her a lot to think about on Sunday.
Prediction – Radwanska in straight sets
(5) Angelique Kerber vs. (19) Ekaterina Makarova
Head-to-Head Kerber leads 3-2
It’s not often that you see two left handers play each other in the latter rounds of a tournament. And if you consider the styles of play involved, this match should be an exciting one. Makarova, who beat Serena Williams last year en route to the fourth round, plays an offensive game, trying to dictate with her forehand and backhand. Kerber plays a somewhat more patient game, and does well to convert defense to offense. The German is the higher ranked player and the pressure will be on her to win. Expect long baseline rallies with both players trying to move each other side-to-side. And it’s likely that this will go three sets. Kerber has won their last three meetings (all in 2012). She might struggle on Sunday, but the German should win this one.
Prediction – Kerber wins in three sets
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (15) Stanislas Wawrinka
A Djokovic-Federer showdown could be on the cards for next Sunday but for tomorrow, the Serbian will take on the other Swiss in the draw – the 15th seeded Stanislas Wawrinka. The 27-year-old Wawrinka can compete with the best in the game in terms of groundstrokes, especially his backhand, but his mental toughness has always been suspect. On the other hand, Djokovic is among the physically and mentally toughest competitors in the game. Djokovic leads their head to head 11-2 and has also won their last 10 matches in a row. The tennis should be good, but it’s hard to imagine Wawrinka being able to produce the kind of tennis needed to beat Djokovic.
Prediction – Djokovic wins in straight sets
(4) David Ferrer vs. (16) Kei Nishikori
What Japan’s Kei Nishikori lacks in height and power, he makes up for in consistency and court coverage. You could say the same thing about his next opponent David Ferrer as well. Nishikori could perhaps look at Ferrer to see just how far one can reach even without a big serve and an overwhelming weapon. But Nishikori’s body has been prone to injuries over the past few years. Just when it seems like he is ready to make a run for the top 10, his body breaks down. Nishikori leads their head-to-head 2-1 but Ferrer should be the favourite tomorrow. Long baseline rallies, and moving the opponent side-to-side will be the order of the day. Ferrer should be able to come through based on his current form and fitness.
Prediction – Ferrer wins in four sets