Just two days prior to the start of the Australian Open, players will vie for spots in the finals of the lead-up events.
Saturday will see the semifinals of the second annual ATP Cup, as Spain faces Italy and Russia takes on Germany. Two WTA 500 and two ATP 250 events will also play their singles semifinals, while the delayed WTA Grampians Trophy will only present the quarterfinals, with the semifinals and final of that event scheduled for Sunday. And with plenty of good doubles matches on the schedule, it will be another busy dark at Melbourne Park.
The ATP Cup semifinal matches will be played on Rod Laver Arena and John Cain Arena starting at 10:00am local time. The WTA 500 and ATP 250 events will begin at 11:00am on Margaret Court Arena and 1573 Arena, and 12:30pm on the outer courts.
The ATP Cup, a Round Robin Team Event between 12 Nations
Andrey Rublev (RUS) vs. Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) – First on RLA
Struff claimed their only tour-level match, three years ago on a hard court in St. Petersburg. But that was a different version of Rublev, not the one who grabbed five titles in 2020, and dropped just seven games through four sets this week. Struff took part in much tighter matches during round robin play, but won them both, and helped Germany secure this semifinal spot by winning doubles on Friday.
Daniil Medvedev (RUS) vs. Sascha Zverev (GER) – Second on RLA
Zverev was the other half of that German doubles team. He lost to Novak Djokovic earlier in the day 7-5 in the third, though he defeated Denis Shapovalov on Tuesday in a third set tiebreak. Medvedev is yet to drop a set this week, and is on a 12-match winning streak. Zverev leads their head-to-head 5-3, with all eight matches contested on hard courts. But Medvedev won the last two, which both took place just a few months ago.
Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) vs. Fabio Fognini (ITA) – First on JCA
Fognini has never defeated Carreno Busta in seven tries. That includes three hard court meetings, the most recent two years ago at Melbourne Park. Pablo went 4-0 in sets this week, while Fabio went 2-2.
Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) vs. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) – Second on JCA
Berrettini is 3-1 against Bautista Agut, but they’ve split their two hard court encounters. Matteo easily dispatched of Dominic Thiem and Gael Monfils earlier this week. Roberto survived a stern test provided by Alex de Minaur, but went down to defeat at the hands of Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday.
The Yarra Valley Classic, a WTA 500 Event
Garbine Muguruza (6) vs. Marketa Vondrousova (8) – Second on MCA
The winner will face Ash Barty in the championship match, as Serena Williams withdrew after defeating Danielle Collins on Friday due to a shoulder issue. Muguruza crushed Sofia Kenin yesterday, avenging her loss from last year’s Australian Open final. Vondrousova came through in a 10-point tiebreak against Nadia Podoroska. This will be their first career meeting.
The Gippsland Trophy, a WTA 500 Event
Ekaterina Alexandrova (9) vs. Kaia Kanepi – Third on MCA
Alexandrova dismissed a hampered Simona Halep on Friday, and Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek a round earlier. Kanepi was the beneficiary of a walkover yesterday from Karolina Muchova. Earlier this week, Kaia ended the 15-match winning streak of Aryna Sabalenka. She’s now actually on a 13-match streak of her own, coming off two ITF titles in the fall. Alexandrova took their only previous matchup in a third set tiebreak, though that was three years ago on grass.
Naomi Osaka (2) vs. Elise Mertens (7) – Fourth on MCA
Osaka has now won her last 14 completed matches. Naomi is 2-1 versus Mertens, and prevailed in their last two encounters in straight sets. Osaka also won in straight sets last night, while Mertens survived a dramatic battle against Elina Svitolina.
The Grampians Trophy, a WTA 500 Event
Victoria Azarenka (3) vs. Anett Kontaveit (6) – First on MCA
They’ve met three times on three different surfaces. Azarenka owns a 2-1 advantage, with Kontaveit’s victory coming on clay. Vika saved two match points yesterday over Yulia Putintseva, while Anett has claimed all four sets played this week.
Maria Sakkari (5) vs. Angelique Kerber (8) – Second on 1573
Kerber leads their head-to-head 2-0, but Sakkari is a much improved player since they last met three years ago. The 25-year-old from Greece is 16-6 since the tour restart, and this is now her third consecutive semifinal. Kerber has only played eight matches over the past year, with a 5-3 record.
The Murray River Open, an ATP 250 Event
Dan Evans (8) vs. Jeremy Chardy – Second on Court 3
Evans is 0-3 against Chardy at all levels. Their most recent meeting was in October of 2019 in Shanghai, where Chardy prevailed 6-4 in the third. Evans earned two straight-set wins on Friday, while Chardy only needed one such win after Stan Wawrinka handed him a walkover.
Felix Auger-Aliassime (3) vs. Corentin Moutet – Third on Court 3
This is a matchup we will likely see many times in the coming years. The Canadian has won all three of their encounters at all levels, including a decisive straight-set win at last year’s US Open, where he allowed Moutet just six games over three sets. Both men played four sets of tennis on Friday.
The Great Ocean Road Open, an ATP 250 Event
Stefano Travaglia vs. Thiago Monteiro – Second on Court 6
The 29-year-old Travaglia upset two seeds on Friday: Alexander Bublik and Hubert Hurkacz. Monteiro has taken out three Australians this week, as well as impressive newcomer Carlos Alcaraz. This is their first time playing each other.
Karen Khachanov (2) vs. Jannik Sinner (3) – Third on Court 6
Their only previous match was a wild ride. At last year’s US Open, Sinner claimed the first two sets, but then his body gave out, and he dropped 12 of the next 14 games while cramping. The 19-year-old Italian managed to make the fifth set competitive, though he went down in a fifth set tiebreak. Khachanov spent almost an hour longer on court yesterday.
Saturday’s ATP Cup schedule is here, and the rest of the schedule here.
