Three selections from Graham Ruthven, on day five of the Australian Open.
Naomi Osaka v Coco Gauff
Friday 24 January, Australian Open women’s singles third round
These two players are expected to dominate the women’s game for a generation to come and this is the second straight Grand Slam that they will have faced each other. Indeed, while Naomi Osaka swept aside Coco Gauff at Flushing Meadows in September, with the teenager a little overwhelmed and over-powered, this has the potential to be one of the most memorable matches of the whole tournament.
Osaka has been in outstanding form in the opening two rounds of this year’s Australian Open, winning both her matches in straight sets. The Japanese won 57% of her receiving points against Saisai Zheng, breaking her opponent’s serve no fewer than six times. Gauff has the counter-power to cope with Osaka a little better, but the defending champion looks a very good bet at this stage to keep her crown.
1pt - Naomi Osaka 2-0 8/13
Stefanos Tsitsipas v Milos Raonic
Friday 24 January, Australian Open men’s singles third round
As third round ties go this is a blockbuster. Stefanos Tsitsipas was hugely impressive in his first round win over Salvatore Caruso before receiving a walkover from, Philipp Kohlschreiber on Wednesday, looking every bit the Grand Slam challenger he wants to be. In Milos Raonic, though, the Greek will come up against a former Grand Slam finalist who has also been extremely impressive at Melbourne Park.
Raonic comes into this third round match on the back of a straight sets victory over Christian Garin which saw the Canadian win every one of his service games, hitting 19 aces and winning 78% of his service points. However, Tsitsipas should be fresh having played just one match so far and will have too much dynamism for his Canadian opponent.
1pt - Stefanos Tsitsipas -1.5 Sets Handicap 8/11
Serena Williams v Wang Qiang
Friday 24 January, Australian Open women’s singles third round
Can anyone stop Serena Williams from winning her 24th Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open? The American looks like the player to beat at Melbourne Park this year, winning both of her matches so far in straight sets. Indeed, Williams won every single of her service games against Tamara Zidansek also winning 50% of her return points.
It’s difficult to envisage that Wang Qiang will be able to handle Williams, although the 28-year-old was impressive in her straight sets win over Fiona Ferro in the second round, losing just three games. Qiang has beaten Williams once previously, but the American lost the last time they met at last year’s US Open. There could be value in a deciding set here.
0.5pts - 3 Total Sets 3/1
