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WTA Match Day January 21, 2017

387 views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  Escapist 
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Eight more matches on Saturday to see who reaches the last 16 in the bottom half. Again, it was very tough to pick just one eye catcher to preview. Which matches are you most looking forward to seeing, and why?


  • Best Tennis. This match features players with the highest (i.e, lowest numerical) combined WTA rank. For example, #1 Angelique Kerber vs. #2 Serena Williams would have a combined rank of 3, which would obviously be the highest combined rank possible. In cases of a tie (e.g., #1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3), the match with the smallest difference in rankings will be previewed, as this match (on paper) should be closer.
  • Points Defender. This match features the players with the most amount of ranking points to defend based on the live rankings provided by live-tennis.eu. In cases where this match has already been previewed under "Best Tennis," the match with the next highest amount of points to defend will be previewed.
  • Eye Catcher. This match is simply one that caught my attention based on player histories, style of play, relative importance, or any other factors, and which does not fit into either of the other categories. If there's another match that caught your attention, please feel free to provide your own preview below.


WTA Match Day January 21, 2017

Best Tennis: #9 Johanna Konta vs. #20 Caroline Wozniacki (AO R32)
Both Konta and Wozniacki have been in good form in 2017, and neither has dropped a set yet in Melbourne. Although Wozniacki breezed through the first two rounds (losing a total of seven games in four sets), Konta has been even more impressive with straight set wins over arguably tougher opponents as well as the Sydney title in the lead up to the Open. Wozniacki will need to play aggressive if she is to win this match, as Konta is playing too well for Wozniacki to just retrieve and wait for Konta to make an error. Konta will need to be patient, expecting most balls to be returned, before picking her spots to end the points.

H2H: 0-0.
Prediction: Konta in 3.

Points Defender: #2 Serena Williams vs. #92 Nicole Gibbs (AO R32)
Serena Williams faces compatriot Nicole Gibbs as she continues to defend 1,170 points from her finals appearance last year. Gibbs has had a surprising run to the last 32 after knocking off #25 seed Timea Babos in the first round and then Irina Falconi in the second. However, it is a big ask for her to reach the 4th round for the first time at a slam by knocking out Serena. Serena did lose to another unheralded American in Madison Brengle just a few weeks ago, but that was Auckland. This is Melbourne.

H2H: 1-0, with Williams winning at 2012 Stanford 6-2 6-1.
Prediction: Williams in 2.

Eye Catcher: #79 Mirjana Lucic-Baroni vs. #94 Maria Sakkari (AO R32)
This was a highly unlikely round of 32 pairing once the draw came out. Mirana Lucic-Baroni, whose Australian Open career goes back to 1998, has finally reached the third round in Melbourne after shocking #3 seed Agnieszka Radwanska in straight sets. With a win over the lower-ranked Maria Sakkari, the 1999 Wimbledon semifinalist would equal her best performance at a slam since the 2014 US Open. The 21-year-old Sakkari is playing in just her second AO main draw, and has likewise reached the third round for the first time after impressive wins over fellow youngster Annette Kontaveit and the #28 seed Alize Cornet. Lucic-Baroni will be the sentimental favorite given her resurgence after a lengthy retirement from the tour, but she will face a stern test from the quicker Sakkari, who also is not afraid to hit winners from any part of the court.

H2H: 0-1, with Sakkari winning at 2016 New Haven 6-3 6-4.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3.
 
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