Third round singles action begins on Friday in Melbourne.
In a match between quarterfinalists from a year ago, Andrey Rublev faces Sebastian Korda. Recent US Open semifinalist Ben Shelton takes on Adrian Mannarino, who already won two five-setters this week. And defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is drawn to play Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko in a complicated matchup that goes well beyond the tennis court.
Day 6’s schedule also features the winners of the last Major, Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic.
Throughout the tournament, this preview will analyze the day’s four most prominent matches, while highlighting the other notable matches on the schedule. Friday’s play gets underway at 11:00am local time.
Lesia Tsurenko (28) vs. Aryna Sabalenka (2) – 12:00pm on Rod Laver Arena
At Indian Wells last March, Tsurenko was drawn to play Sabalenka, but withdrew shortly before the match was to begin, citing an upsetting conversation with WTA CEO Steve Simon. Lesia stated the conversation revolved around the complications of Russian and Belarussian players continuing to be allowed to play, especially at the upcoming Olympics, and she said it caused her a panic attack. The Ukrainian has withdrawn or retired from many matches across the past two years, as she’s understandably struggled amidst Russia’s ongoing and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
Tsurenko still managed to impressively win 42 matches last season at all levels, as well as advance to the second week of both Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Of course Sabalenka had a tremendous season, winning her first Major, reaching all four Major semifinals, and collecting 55 match wins.
These players split two meetings years ago, in 2018 and 2019 respectively. In an uncomfortable matchup between a Ukrainian and a Belarussian, the defending champion is the favorite to advance.
Alycia Parks vs. Coco Gauff (4) – Not Before 2:00pm on Margaret Court Arena
These players have known each other for a long time, and are quite fond of each other. Coco described to the press this week how she has known Alycia since a very young age, as they grew up in the same area. Coco complimented Alycia for having “a big game, big serve, big shots.”
And Parks has displayed all that bigness this week, with a straight-set victory over US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez. The 23-year-old collected her first WTA title a year ago in Lyon, and is now making her debut in the third round of a Major.
Gauff is on a nine-match win streak at Majors, and is 7-0 to start 2024 after winning a title in Auckland. She’s twice been the fourth round of this tournament, as she looks to become the first male or female player to win their second Slam directly after their first since Naomi Osaka as this very event five years ago.
As impressive as Parks’ game is, it’s not quite as impressive as Gauff’s, who is the better defender. And with a huge edge in experience, Coco is the favorite in their first career meeting.
Adrian Mannarino (20) vs. Ben Shelton (16) – Third on Kia Arena
A breakthrough quarterfinalist a year ago, Shelton has defended a big result for the first time in his career rather strongly thus far, dropping only one set. He started the fortnight by ousting Roberto Bautista Agut, who is never an easy out, in straight sets. The 21-year-old is vying for his third consecutive trip to the fourth round at a hard court Major.
Mannarino outlasted Stan Wawrinka in the opening round, then beat Jaume Munar in five as well. Amazingly, he is now 13-4 lifetime in five-setters, and has taken 10 of his last 11. Adrian recently debuted inside the top 20 at the age of 35, and is currently projected to reach a career-high of No.17 after this tournament.
Last March in Miami, Mannarino claimed their only prior encounter in three sets, though it’s worth noting Shelton was far from playing his best tennis at the time. In a matchup between two players with distinctively contrasting styles, Ben’s exceptional power and aggression should prevail over Adrian’s flat ball striking and consistency.
Sebastian Korda (29) vs. Andrey Rublev (5) – Last on Margaret Court Arena
After surviving a fifth-set tiebreak in the opening round, Rublev comfortably defeated another American, Christopher Eubanks, on Wednesday. Andrey has now reached the quarterfinals at five of his last six Majors, as he still strives to achieve his first semifinal at this level.
Korda has experienced the same path to this third round encounter: winning a five-setter before winning a straight-setter. Sebi reached his first Slam quarterfinal here a year ago, but a right wrist injury he suffered during that run derailed his progress for the rest of 2023.
Rublev leads their head-to-head 2-0, with both matches occurring on hard courts within the past few years. And both were straight-set victories. Andrey is the more in-form player, and should be favored to make it 3-0 against Sebi on Friday.
Other Notable Matches on Friday:
Amanda Anisimova vs. Paula Badosa – Both women have already earned an impressive pair of straight-set victories: Anisimova over Samsonova and Podoroska, and Badosa over Townsend and Pavlyuchenkova. This is their first career meeting.
Jannik Sinner (4) vs. Sebastian Baez (26) – Sinner is yet to drop a set, while Baez has claimed two four-setters. A few months ago at the Shanghai Masters, Jannik beat Sebastian 6-2 in the third.
Luca Van Assche vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas (7) – Tsitsipas has survived consecutive four-setters to this stage. Van Assche is a 19-year-old Frenchman who has won two five-setters in as many rounds, and is making his debut at this stage of a Major. This is another first-time matchup.
Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Tomas Martin Etcheverry (30) – Djokovic has been taken to four sets in both of his first two rounds, and has been dealing with both an illness and a wrist injury. Etcheverry has already defeated two other prominent veterans in Andy Murray and Gael Monfils. Novak beat Tomas twice last year in straight sets.
Friday’s full Order of Play is here.
