While our outrights Thiem and Medvedev are still alive, we reached a new low regarding the daily previews after another loss on the Kyrgios set handicap. In the meantime, I quit moaning and am looking forward to what could potentially be a great fourth round match between him and Rafael Nadal. The question is, does the Aussie have enough energy left in the tank?
The weather might help him as mild temperatures are forecasted for today before we'll eventually get some hot and humid weather by the middle of the week. However, tournament directors did not do Kyrgios the favor of dragging Nadal into his living room Melbourne Arena. The biggest match of the tournament will naturally be played on Rod Laver Arena. It is scheduled for the night session and while that gives Kyrgios some more time to rest, it won't help him in the matchup as it really gets slow there by night.
Powerful Pavs
So far so good with the match of the day. Our next preview - feel free to fade - features the women's fourth round match between Angelique Kerber and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who demonstrated her good form last round when she sent home #2 seed Karolina Pliskova 7-6 7-6. The Czech, who was one of the main title contenders after Williams and Osaka went out the day before, did not find an answer to Pavlyuchenkova's powerful game from the baseline.
The season is only three weeks old, but the Russian only lost to Petra Kvitova and Ashleigh Barty so far. And even against the two main favorites left in the tournament, she was able to take a set. Her powerful game from the baseline can hurt anybody and it seems like she put in a lot of work during the offseason. Pavlyuchenkova has been a permanent member of the top 50 since 2008 (!) which is the perfect proof of her consistency. In all four Grand Slams, she reached the quarterfinal stage before. Is now the time for her to go one step further? At least the draw opened up quite a bit for her.
Ailing Allemande
Angie Kerber won her first Grand Slam in Melbourne back in 2016, so playing here will always be special for her. Other than four years ago, she was cruising in her first two matches, beating Cocciaretto and Hon comfortably. Her third round match against Camila Giorgi raised a lot of questions again though. The Italian, one of the more inconsistent players on tour, gifted her the match in the end, but when she was on, she troubled Kerber a lot.
Especially on the defensive side, her centerpiece, Kerber is far from her best after suffering a muscle strain in her left thigh two weeks ago. You could also hear her complaining "I'm done, I can't do this anymore" at the start of the third set against Giorgi. Her will and lots of unforced errors from the Italian eventually secured her a spot in the fourth round.
Tough Task
However, one may doubt whether that's enough to beat an in-form Pavlyuchenkova. The Russian is able to attack her off both wings and Kerber's defensive play is not that beneficial against players with a solid backhand. So this means Kerber will have to be aggressive herself, but that's just not her style of play. Her biggest strength is to counterpunch, which requires a good physical condition.
Pavlyuchenkova leads the hard court head to head 6-4 despite not being anywhere close to Kerber's achievements. With all the circumstances pointing towards her today, I like the Russian to advance to the quarterfinal once more.
