By Tony Fairbairn
- Carlos Alcaraz [3] v Novak Djokovic [7]
- Coco Gauff [3] v Paula Badosa [11]
- Alexander Zverev [2] v Tommy Paul [12]
- Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova [27]
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will meet in a rematch from the Wimbledon and Olympic finals as a place in the Australian Open semi-finals is up for grabs.
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Carlos Alcaraz [3] v Novak Djokovic [7] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Carlos Alcaraz [3] v Novak Djokovic [7] | H2H: Djokovic leads 4-3 |
| Australian Open 2025 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: A$665,000 |
| Fourth on Rod Laver Arena (09:30 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
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It has been so far so good for Carlos Alcaraz as the Spaniard’s bid for the career Grand Slam continues. The third seed has only lost one set in Melbourne so far and has been playing more aggressively than before. However, the Spaniard knows that the toughest tests are only just around the corner and will be hoping he can elevate his game to new levels as a tough last few rounds awaits. The question is can Alcaraz control his nerves and his aggression in order to complete the Grand Slam collection?
A blockbuster quarter-final awaits as ten-time champion Novak Djokovic is Alcaraz’s next opponent as the Serb has maintained a controlled level so far. After overcoming two inspired opponents in the first two rounds, Djokovic dominated Czech Republicans Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka to reach the quarter-finals. However Djokovic will be hoping that off-court distractions such as the crowd and other people’s opinions don’t affect his concentration with a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam potentially awaiting the Serb on Sunday.
Alcaraz will need to be more aggressive than he was in the Olympic final as the Spaniard looks to get the first strike in and will use the drop shot to expose Djokovic’s court positioning. Meanwhile Djokovic will target the Alcaraz backhand on serve as he bids to keep his aggressive consistency on serve. This is all set up to be the match of the tournament with both players prepared to do what it takes to win. Alcaraz starts this match as favourite but if Djokovic plays a similar level to the one he played in the Olympic final then this match could go the Serb’s way.
Prediction: Alcaraz in five sets.
Coco Gauff [3] v Paula Badosa [11] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Coco Gauff [3] v Paula Badosa [11] | H2H: Tied at 3-3 |
| Australian Open 2025 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: A$665,000 |
| First on Rod Laver Arena (00:30 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
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Coco Gauff’s Australian Open credentials were once again tested when she defeated Belinda Bencic in three sets to reach the last eight. However, the American remains unfazed at any challenge that comes her way as she is playing with freedom, power and intelligence as she bids for a maiden title in Australia. The world number three is in a good place mentally and tactically as she has built on her title at the WTA Finals last year and is now three wins away from a second Grand Slam title.
Another stern test awaits Gauff though as Paula Badosa will aim to spoil the American’s plans. The Spaniard is into her second consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final after a tight straight sets win over Olga Danilovic and now sets her sights on a first Australian Open semi-final. It has been an incredible resurgence from Badosa in the last six months but the 11th seed knows that in order for her comeback to have the fairytale ending it deserves, she must stay focused and mentally strong when it matters most.
Gauff will continue to be aggressive on the forehand as she will use depth and pace to force shorter balls from Badosa. Badosa will look to build the rallies with the backhand and won’t be afraid to come to the net in order to finish points off efficiently. This should be an entertaining match but Gauff’s more stable mental focus should see her into a second consecutive Australian Open semi-final.
Prediction: Gauff in three sets.
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Alexander Zverev [2] v Tommy Paul [12] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Alexander Zverev [2] v Tommy Paul [12] | H2H: Paul leads 2-0 |
| Australian Open 2025 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: A$665,000 |
| Second on Rod Laver Arena (Not before 03:00 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
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World number two Alexander Zverev dropped his first set of the tournament against Ugo Humbert but prevailed without fuss to keep his Grand Slam dream alive. Having been two sets up in both Grand Slam finals he has been in, Zverev will be more determined than ever to banish those haunted memories and claim his first Grand Slam title. Although there is a long way to go, Zverev will be pleased with his progress as he aims to save all his energy for the later rounds.
A potential banana skin match awaits in the last 16 as he plays American Tommy Paul next with Paul leading the head-to-head 2-0. The American has been in clinical form so far this tournament and is almost guaranteed to be inside the world’s top ten on Monday when the rankings come out. Now Paul will aim for another deep Grand Slam run as his athletic game seeks a second Australian Open semi-final.
Zverev will hope to be more consistent on return as he aims to use the backhand to dictate play and force Paul into difficult positions in the court. Meanwhile the American looks to be aggressive on the backhand and force Zverev to play passive and safe shots with Paul aiming to approach the net to finish points off. This should be an intriguing match with this being a must-win match for Zverev and the German may have enough to pull through a Grand Slam epic.
Prediction: Zverev in five sets.
Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova [27] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova [27] | H2H: Pavlyuchenkova leads 2-1 |
| Australian Open 2025 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: A$665,000 |
| Third on Rod Laver Arena (Not before 08:00 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
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World number one and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka crushed Mirra Andreeva to reach another Australian Open semi-final. The top seed had struggled with her serving in the opening week but is yet to drop a set in Melbourne and re-established her dominance in the last 16. Now Sabalenka looks to continue setting high standards at the top of the women’s game as she aims for a hat-trick of titles at the happy slam.
Next up for Sabalenka is former Roland Garros finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who is quietly going through the draw in Melbourne. The 27th seed produced a clinical display to defeat Donna Vekic and book her place in the last eight in Melbourne. Pavlyuchenkova has a solid yet aggressive game from the baseline and will now hope to cause Sabalenka more problems in Melbourne as she bids for a first Australian Open semi-final.
Sabalenka will aim to be aggressive on serve, dictating play with her devastating forehand while Pavlyuchenkova will use her backhand to neutralise the pace of the world number one. Although Pavlyuchenkova leads their head-to-head 2-1, they haven’t played since 2021 and Sabalenka is a much better player since then so the defending champion should cruise to another Grand Slam semi-final.
Prediction: Sabalenka in straight sets.
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