In bold the players we believe will the favourite to win their third round match.
Rod Laver Arena
Belinda Bencic (SUI)[12] vs. Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR)
An interesting match, but an encounter Belinda Bencic will hardly let go. The Swiss has a shot at reaching the 4th round in Australia for the first time (she hadn’t gone further than the 2nd round prior to this year) and she seems to have the relaxed attitude of the winner. She should win in two sets against former World No.29 Bondarenko.
Lauren Davis (USA) vs. Maria Sharapova (RUS)[5]
Maria has never played Davis before on the WTA tour. The Russian looked almost perfect in her first matches here in Melbourne. Maria will hardly be challenged by a player like Davis, who tries to send every ball back and be consistent, but who struggles to keep up with pure aggression.
Roger Federer (SUI)[3] vs. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL)[27]
We hope is going to be a very entertaining match, like the one the two played in Brisbane few days ago. Federer has looked flawless so far in Melbourne, especially on his serve. When the Swiss is in such state of grace is hard to beat him for anyone, unless they are called Novak Djokovic. Roger should win again, to collect his 5th win against Grigor, but most likely in four sets.
Serena Williams (USA)[1] vs. Daria Kasatkina (RUS)
Serena looks better and better as the tournament progresses. She hasn’t been challenged yet and she will hardly be against the young Russian. Serena wins in two.
Nick Kyrgios (AUS)[29] vs. Tomas Berdych (CZE)[6]
Tomas and Nick have never met before on the tour. So far, both players have advanced fairly easily in the draw. If they weren’t to play one another, both would have serious chances of moving forward, but they have been pitted to play one another already in the third round. Considering the way Nick is enjoying the support of the crowd and hasn’t showed any sign of pressure, I believe the Australian will manage to pull the win out of his hat and officially advance deep in the rankings to make Aussie fans happy. It could be a five-setter. We hope so.
Margaret Court Arena
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP)[26] vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN)[7]
It’s time to see if Nishikori can go far this year in Melbourne. The Japanese has so far put together two convincing performances. Kei could let a set go, but should win in four sets.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)[9] vs. Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA)
Jo is finding his calm bubble in Melbourne. Free of any pressure, away from the eyes of the French fans, Tsonga is swinging his racquet free, causing major trouble to all of his opponents. Compatriot Herbert should surrender in three sets, maybe winning one set because of a short lack of attention from the 9th seed. After all, to play against a compatriot and friend is never easy on the tour.
Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)[4] vs. Monica Puig (PUR)
An interesting set for Radwanska against Sydney finalist Puig. Monica has an interesting game, but she is not used to play against talented players who can mix up like the Pole. The World No.4 should win in straight sets.
Novak Djokovic (SRB)[1] vs. Andreas Seppi (ITA)[28]
Djokovic has only once got close to lose to the Italian in a Slam, and that was in 2012 at the French Open. Andreas didn’t manage to win then, he will hardly manage to do so today, as the Serb is simply unbeatable at the moment. Djokovic in three.
Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP)[10] vs. Elizaveta Kulichkova (RUS)
Suarez Navarro is having a dream draw in Melbourne. Next for her, to reach the fourth round, yet another player ranked outside the top 100, the third in a row. World No.109 Kulichkova could win a set, but she is hardly set to cause an upset in Melbourne. The Spaniard will not even need her best tennis, just as she did in the second round, to win.
Hisense Arena
Dominic Thiem (AUT)[19] vs. David Goffin (BEL)[15]
This could be the match of the day on Hisense Arena. Two talented players, two clean hitters and great competitors. Goffin leads the Head-2-Head by 3-2, but has lost both the last two matches he played against the young Austrian (last year in Marseille David retired in the first set with back pain). The Belgian should use the confidence he gained in winning in Kooyong to gain the edge and win in 4 or 5 sets.
Anna-Lena Friedsam (GER) vs. Roberta Vinci (ITA)[13]
The Italian should be able to mix up the pace and win in straight sets.
Federico Delbonis (ARG) vs. Gilles Simon (FRA)[14]
Simon has been playing solid tennis in Melbourne this year. He should win the match in straight sets.
Kristina Mladenovic (FRA)[28] vs. Daria Gavrilova (AUS)
An interesting matchup on the women’s side. Gavrilova was impressive against Kvitova and she has the game to challenge the French. Kristina should win, but Daria can use the confidence of her first wins to seize yet another chance and possibly another victory. Let’s virtually bet on the Russian.
Show Court No.2
Margarita Gasparyan (RUS) vs. Yulia Putintseva (KAZ)
The grit and determination of Putintseva should allow her to sail into the fourth round. The Kazakh has beaten Wozniacki and then confirmed herself in the second round. Both players had never reached the third round in a major before, with Gasparyan who had never won a match in the main draw of a Slam. The first ever fourth round appearance in a major should go to Putintseva.
Marin Cilic (CRO)[12] vs. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)[24]
Cilic has won both the previous Head-2-Head against Bautista Agut, but the Spaniard enters the tournament after having won the title in Auckland. Roberto has however fought for five sets in both the first and second round and that should give the physical advantage to the Croat. Cilic should win in four sets.
