Australian Open Day 4: 2nd Round Predictions

Unfortunately I have been drawn away from my computer, but thankfully internet in my hotel allows me to bring you my predictions for tomorrow.  Today turned out to be a pretty interesting day; Sam Stosur blew a 5-2 third set lead over Zheng Jie to fall, 4-6 6-1 7-5.  OK, Stosur made some bad errors towards the end of the match, but no-one can deny that Zheng's game caught fire towards the end; she is a joy to watch when her flat groundstrokes are making the mark.  Heather Watson survived three match points, including one on a 28 stroke rally to fight past Ksenia Pervak and set up a third round meeting with Agnieszka Radwanska.  

Other highlight's were Jerzy Janowicz absolutely losing his rag, Maria Sharapova claiming a SECOND double bagel win over Misaki Doi and guaranteed classic third rounders for Friday between Sharapova/Venus and Jankovic/Ivanovic.  Time is of the essence, let's look at tomorrow's top matches.

1. Petra Kvitova v Laura Robson

No doubt that tomorrow's highlight in the womens draw will see Petra Kvitova and Laura Robson rightfully take up the second night match on the Rod Laver Arena.  Kvitova was far from her best, but did well to get past Francesca Schiavone in three sets.  Robson comfortably saw off Melanie Oudin and now has a chance of a big upset in an anticipated contest between two big hitting lefties.  A lot of people seem to be favouring Robson, but I am actually backing Kvitova.  She will be favoured by a night match, so heat will not be a problem and I think streakiness will be key for both, but Kvitovs will be able to contain Robson's equally huge game.

Prediction - Kvitova to beat Robson in 2 tight sets

2. Roger Federer v Nikolay Davydenko

Roger Federer's tough draw continues down under as he now takes on Nikolay Davydenko.  The Russian, who reached the final in Doha, struggled in his opening match with Dudi Sela.  Federer meanwhile looked in typically imperious form as he strolled past the flashy, Benoit Paire in three straight sets.  Federer has a superb record over Davydenko although the Russian did finally claim a win at the World Tour Finals back in 2009.  The big match that everyone is bigging up is a possible showdown between Federer and Bernard Tomic and I think both will get there comfortably...

Prediction - Federer to beat Davydenko in 3 sets

3. Hsieh Su-Wei v Svetlana Kuznetsova

Svetlana Kuznetsova looks to be the favourite to come out of Sara Errani's section now, but she will have to be on top form to knock out the number 26 seed, Hsieh Su-Wei.  Kuznetsova had a surprisingly drama-free first round win over Lourdes Dominguez Lino.  Hsieh, who had struggled in her first two tournaments in 2013, came through her first round match against Lara Arrubarena-Vecino, 7-6 6-2.  I think this could be a crazy match depending on whether Hsieh is fully fit and healthy, but I still believe this will be a good tournament for Kuznetsova...

Prediction - Kuznetsova to beat Hsieh in 3 sets

Best of the rest: women
Serena to beat Muguruza in 2 sets
Azarenka to beat Daniilidou in 3 sets
Kirilenko to beat Peng in 3 sets
Wozniacki to beat Vekic in 2 tight sets
Vesnina to beat Lepchenko in 3 tough sets
Beck to beat Morita in 2 sets
Jovanovski to beat Safarova in 3 sets
Stephens to beat Mladenovic in 2 sets

Best of the rest: men
Tomic to beat Brands in 3 sets
Murray to beat Sousa in 3 sets
Monfils to beat Lu in 4 sets
Tsonga to beat Soeda in 3 sets
Del Potro to beat Becker in 3 sets
Levine to beat Simon in 4 sets *upset alert*
Granolllers to beat Chardy in 5 sets
Raonic to beat Rosol in 4 sets

Again, I will be updating my Twitter at intervals if I cannot blog normally tomorrow, but normal service should be resumed at the weekend as things start to hot up...