- Ashleigh Barty [1] v Daria Gavrilova
- Stefanos Tsitsipas [5] v Thanasi Kokkinakis
- Coco Gauff v Elina Svitolina [5]
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Time to see which seeds will be left standing after a few high-profile upsets as the second round concludes on Day Four of the Australian Open.
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Ashleigh Barty [1] v Daria Gavrilova H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Ashleigh Barty [1] v Daria Gavrilova | H2H: Barty leads 3-1 (Incl. ITF) |
| Australian Open | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: A$150,000 |
| Scheduled second on Rod Laver Arena, not before 12:30pm | Tennis TV/Eurosport Player if available
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The first day of round two action saw the real effect of the Aussie crowds. The hardships that Melbournians and Victorians endured allowed still low-capacity crowds to come in and they have lifted the roof off for their players.
The atmosphere alone for World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty and for Daria Gavrilova will be worth the watch alone as the Aussies go head-to-head once more.
There are few similarities between these young Aussies – Gavrilova was a great junior, Barty established herself at a young age, before taking a break from the sport after feeling burned out, and Gavrilova had a rapid rise through the ranks reaching a career high of No. 20 and becoming the Aussie No. 1 in June 2017. Injuries have also played a part in her career and together with the pandemic, she barely played in 2020.
Barty of course was also prodigious from an early age and since her return to the tour, has become a force to be reckoned with. Already with a Slam on the books, and the World No. 1, Barty brings a range of variety to keep her opponents guessing – and Gavrilova packs a punch with her forehand but can run around all day long.
Most of their matches have been tight except for their last encounter on Madrid clay in 2019, which Barty sailed through easily. But this could very easily go the distance and be a first real test for Barty.
Prediction: Barty in three sets.
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Stefanos Tsitsipas [5] v Thanasi Kokkinakis H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Stefanos Tsitsipas [5] v Thanasi Kokkinakis | H2H: First Meeting |
| Australian Open | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: A$150,000 |
| Scheduled third on Rod Laver Arena not before 2pm (3am GMT) | Tennis TV/Eurosport Player if available
|
It is fair to say Stefanos Tsitsipas had more of a test in his on-court interview after a straight-forward beatdown of France’s Gilles Simon than he did in the match itself. If the Aussie crowd gave him a little stick for his honest appraisal, as tactfully as he could manage, then he will need some industrial strength ear-plugs to keep out the sound of an enthusiastic Aussie crowd.
Thanasi Kokkinakis’ young career has been blighted by injuries and was awarded a wildcard into the men’s singles draw. A big server, and able to come in and follow up with a formidable weapon of a forehand, he and Tsitsipas will both play an aggressive game and really should set up the night session with quite the show.
It will be great to see the Aussie back if he can stay injury free but for this match, the edge will go to the more consistent Tsitsipas.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in straight sets.
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Coco Gauff v Elina Svitolina [5] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Coco Gauff v Elina Svitolina [5] | H2H: First Meeting |
| Australian Open | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: A$150,000 |
| First night match on Rod Laver Arena, not before 7pm (8am GMT) | Tennis TV/Eurosport Player if available
|
There has long been speculation that the next player to make a Slam breakthrough should be Elina Svitolina. Metronomically consistent, she somehow has not quite brought together on the biggest stages of all and will be looking to try and better her best performances (Quarter-finals, 2018-2019) but faces the Coco Gauff.
This will be their first meeting, and Svitolina has already had to battle back to make her way into the second round, while Gauff eased through in her opener, so will feel a touch more rested.
What Svitolina will find is that if Gauff finds herself with her back against the wall, she will thrive and work things out, although her shot selection can still cause her issues when it comes to the crunch.
Svitolina is both more consistent, more experienced, and should come through this, but expect this to be a real test early on.
Prediction: Svitolina in three sets.
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