In bold players that we believe are the favourite to win the match in the most important courts in Melbourne Park. Is day three at the Australian Open and after a second day where Simona Halep, Venus Williams and Rafael Nadal were all ousted, day three could bring in some surprises too!
Rod Laver Arena
Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) vs. Maria Sharapova (RUS)[5]
It is Sasnovich first main draw appearance at the Australian Open, but she has managed to make it to the second round just as she did in her debuts at the US Open (’14) and Wimbledon (’15). The Belarusian should hardly win a set against Sharapova, who has already scrolled pressure down after a convincing win in the first round.
Serena Williams (USA)[1] vs. Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE)
Hsieh is someone who has managed to reach the 4th round in Australia, but it was 8 years ago. Serena was already tested by Giorgi in the first round and passed without losing a set. The World No.1 should have an easy day at the office, unless she disappears from court and could in that case play a tight first set.
Roger Federer (SUI)[3] vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)
Match of the day on Rod Laver Arena on the men’s side. What we hope is to see amazing tennis from probably the two most talented players on court. Net approaches, drop shots, changes of angles and rhythm, we want to see it all. Federer should advance in four sets.
Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)[4] vs. Eugenie Bouchard (CAN)
It is unfortunate that such match is already played in the second round. Bouchard is playing better, but has been dominated by Cornet last week in Hobart. It seems when the quality of the opponent rises, Genie is still not ready to find a way to win the match. Radwanska should win in two.
Novak Djokovic (SRB)[1] vs. Quentin Halys (FRA)
Another grind from Djokovic, who will hardly lose a set against the young French.
Margaret Court Arena
Austin Krajicek (USA) vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN)[7]
Nishikori said he is feeling good in Australia this year. A good performance by the Japanese should be enough to win in straigh sets.
Belinda Bencic (SUI)[12] vs. Timea Babos (HUN)
Belinda better be careful and not face a no day if she wants to sail into the third round in straight sets. The Swiss could let tension get in the way, but should manage to win in straight sets.
Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP)[10] vs. Maria Sakkari (GRE)
Interesting how the organisers decided to put this match on Margaret Court Arena. Suarez Navarro should win in two against World No.170 Sakkari, who has never won a match before this tournament in the main draw of a major.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)[9] vs. Omar Jasika (AUS)
Tsonga showed glimpses of his best tennis early on this year. An in-form French could be a loose cannon in the men’s draw, clearly someone to watch very close.
Daria Gavrilova (AUS) vs. Petra Kvitova (CZE)[6]
This could be the upset of the day. Kvitova tends to be vulnerable early on in the Grand Slams and Gavrilova is already a top 40 player and one of the most promising rising stars in the women’s game. Daria last year beat Maria Sharapova in Miami, she has a chance to take the spotlight in a Grand Slam tournament as well now. The last time the two played one another was last year in Wuhan and Petra almost lost, finishing the match by 6-3 4-6 7-5.
Hisense Arena
Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)[23]
Svetlana played superb tennis to win in Sydney and she is a pleasure to watch when she is on a roll. Unfortunately consistency is not always on her side, but it should be enough to win this match in two sets.
Irina Falconi (USA) vs. Roberta Vinci (ITA)[13]
Vinci likes to play in majors, we understood that last year when she finished runner-up at the US Open. The Italian is playing well and has the game and the slice to tire off Falconi to win in straight sets.
Mirza Basic (BIH) vs. Tomas Berdych (CZE)[6]
Berdych can beat anyone, but the top players. The Czech should advance in three easy sets.
Nick Kyrgios (AUS)[29] vs. Pablo Cuevas (URU)
Kyrgios proved not to feel the pressure of playing at home, but he seemed rather able to use the fans’ excitement in his favour, to perform at his best. The Australian could let a set go, but should win in straight sets.
On the other courts, both Grigor Dimitrov (faces Marco Trungelliti) and Marin Cilic (faces Albert Ramos-Vinolas) should advance easily. A match to watch close will see young talent Dominic Thiem taking on Nicolas Almagro. The Australian should win, but this could be a 5-setter or anyway a very entertaining match.
