Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-final of the 2021 Australian Open, Melbourne
Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-final of the 2021 Australian Open, Melbourne | (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)

Tennis | Australian Open 2022 | Three to see on Day 4

  • Daniil Medvedev [2] v Nick Kyrgios
  • Garbine Muguruza [3] v Alize Cornet
  • Taylor Fritz [20] v Frances Tiafoe
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Grand slam champions and an entertaining all-American clash headline day four of the Australian Open, where the line-up for the last 32 will be confirmed.

 

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Daniil Medvedev [2] v Nick Kyrgios Β H2H & Match Fundamentals

Daniil Medvedev [2] v Nick Kyrgios

H2H: Kyrgios leads 2-0

Australian Open 2022

Melbourne, Australia

Hard (O)

Prize Money: A$154,000

4th on Rod Laver Arena (08:00 GMT)

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Daniil Medvedev is arguably the favourite to lift his second grand slam title of his career after winning the US Open towards the end of last year. The Russian has been in the most consistent form at the big events and has a favourable head to head against his nearest rivals. Now the Russian has to deal with the expectation and pressure of being the favourite, the question is can he hold his nerve in Melbourne?

In the second round Medvedev will face the enigma that is Nick Kyrgios after the Australian put on a show against Liam Broady. The Australian has suffered from injuries and controversy that has held his potential back but his talent is outrageous and the Australian always seems to turn up in front of his home fans. Can he pull of a major upset to shake-up this unpredictable Australian Open draw?

This should be an entertaining match with the crowd firmly behind Kyrgios while Medvedev loves to be the villain. There will be hot shots, unpredictability and plot twists along the way. Even though Kyrgios turns up on the big stages against the biggest opponents, Medvedev’s consistency and overall defensive stubbornness will prevail here.

Prediction: Medvedev in four sets. Β Β Β Β 

 

Garbine Muguruza [3] v Alize Cornet Β H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Garbine Muguruza [3] v Alize Cornet

H2H: Tied at 2-2

Australian Open 2022

Melbourne, Australia

Hard (O)

Prize Money: A$154,000

1st on Rod Laver Arena (00:00 GMT)

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This time last year Garbine Muguruza had several match points against eventual champion Naomi Osaka as she wondered what could have been. Fast forward 12 months and the Spaniard comes off a win at the WTA Finals and is in supremely confident form as she searches for a third grand slam title. Will Melbourne be the place where she can once again reach the top of the women’s game and claim grand slam glory?

Next for Muguruza is WTA’s resident dangerous floater, Alize Cornet with the Frenchwoman known for causing a shock or two at grand slams. A mix of aggression and defensive grit sees her as one of the toughest opponents on tour. Cornet’s recent form at grand slams has been disappointing to say the least, can she rediscover her form to cause a seismic upset?

Traditionally this is an awkward match for Muguruza with Cornet having relative success in the past with the variety of the Frenchwoman causing the Spaniard trouble. However given the form of both players and considering Muguruza’s improvement over the last year, there should only be one outcome here.

Prediction: Muguruza in straight sets.

 

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Taylor Fritz [20] v Frances Tiafoe Β Β H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Taylor Fritz [20] v Frances Tiafoe Β Β 

H2H: Fritz leads 2-1

Australian Open 2022

Melbourne, Australia

Hard (O)

Prize Money: A$154,000

2nd on John Cain Arena (Not before 02:00 GMT)

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Taylor Fritz continues to threaten deep grand slam runs having taken the likes of Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev to their limits before. Now the American looks to translate that potential into consistent results and the 20th seed will look to reach the quarter-finals of a grand slam in 2022. Will Melbourne be his time?

Next for Fritz is good friend Frances Tiafoe who has been deep in Melbourne before. There were people wondering whether Tiafoe was going to ever breakthrough but in the last six months the American has improved massively and has been a constant threat beating the likes of Andy Murray, Diego Schwartzman and Jannik Sinner. Can Tiafoe translate these wins into grand slam form?

The margin for error especially on serve will be minimal in this match with both players creating a lot of opportunities on return. Tiafoe will look to finish the rallies early while Fritz will look to extend the rallies and wear down his opponent. It should make for a thrilling contest that is just simply too close to call with a place in the third round at stake.

Prediction: Fritz in five sets.

 

 

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