With eight third-round matches on the slate on day seven at the Australian Open, there should be plenty of entertaining tennis. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Iga Swiatek Anna Kalinskaya – but who will secure their spot in the round of 16?
Australian Open Day 7 Predictions
Naomi Osaka vs Maddison Inglis
Yesh: Naomi Osaka looks like her old self again, which should be pretty scary for the Tour. She was the best player in the world for a reason, and she looks like she’s getting back to that level. She’s one to watch out for here.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Jordan: Inglis will need to recover physically and mentally from her three hour and 20 minute battle with Laura Siegemund. Osaka won her opening two matches with playing perfectly. After Inglis’s effort in the last match, Osaka is the most likely winner. I also think the Japanese star will improve with each match.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Nurein: It hasn’t always been pretty and Osaka has had to scrap to reach the third round. She’s imposed her power when it mattered. Inglis is the home crowd story of patience and grit, but is where the journey will likely come to an end against the decorated former champion.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Elise Mertens vs Nikola Bartunkova
Yesh: This is a great opportunity for both players. The Czech teenager is making waves and is about to cement her name as a serious contender. Beating Elise Mertens would tell us a lot, and I think she can do it with how she has played this week.
Prediction: Bartunkova in 3
Jordan: Nikola Bartunkova’s victory against Belinda Bencic was remarkable. Martens’s best tennis is not as good as Bencic’s, but she rarely dips below a solid level. I feel it will be hard for the inexperienced Bartunkova to play so well again.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Nurein: Bartunkova is having an incredible tournament. Not many people would have seen this run coming. Bencic was considered one of the dark horses, but Bartunkova never flinched against the Swiss’ sustained pressure. Mertens is a seasoned grinder, but if Bartunkova attacks the Belgian’s second serve and stays aggressive in tight moments, she might inflict more damage in this draw.
Prediction: Bartunkova in 3
Jessica Pegula vs Oksana Selekhmeteva
Yesh: Oksana Selekhmeteva has played really well to get this far, but Jessica Pegula has been her usual too-solid self when it matters. The American should advance after another methodical match.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Jordan: Despite Selekhmeteva’s heroics against Paula Badosa, I do not expect Pegula to struggle here. The American’s excellent backhand should hold up much better against her opponent’s left-handed forehand. Pegula also played very well in the previous two rounds.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Nurein: Pegula survived her first real test against Kessler in the second round. What was expected to be a tough assignment turned into a routine victory. Selekhmeteva is coming off a massive win herself against Badosa, but I don’t think she the offensive to hit through Pegula who is playing a fine tournament.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Madison Keys vs Karolina Pliskova
Yesh: Karolina Pliskova has been amazing in her return to court so far. There’s a reason she was once the best player in the world. I would not be stunned to see her upset the defense champion, but Madison Keys loves these courts and I think will keep enough rhythm to outhit Pliskova.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Jordan: Both players have very similar styles strongly reliant on good serves and forehands. Pliskova has already done very well to make it this far after previously being absent for so long. However, that does not alter the defending champion being much more likely to implement her powerful game more effectively.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Nurein: Pliskova has defied expectations to make it this far and one more win will take her to the second week. But it would need to be against the defending champion. While Keys has shown patches of complacency, she has offered zero let-ups. Expect that continue here.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
