Saturday features the conclusion of third round singles action, on what is forecasted to be an extremely hot day in Melbourne.
On Thursday, Stan Wawrinka provided the most thrilling moment of this Australian Open thus far. In his last appearance in Melbourne, the 40-year-old outlasted 21-year-old Arthur Gea in an over four-and-a-half hour five-setter, decided by a final-set tiebreak. But caan Stan recover and be competitive in his Saturday encounter with US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz?
Day 7 also sees Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, and Novak Djokovic play their third round matches.
Here’s a rundown of the most notable matches on Day 7 (in chronological order, all times local):
Karolina Pliskova vs. Madison Keys (9) – 10:30am on Rod Laver Arena
Keys is yet to drop a set, as she looks to defend her title here from a year ago. As highlighted by Ben Rothenberg at Bounces, Pliskova’s first-round victory over Sloane Stephens was the first time two women ranked outside the world’s top 1,000 met in the main draw of a Major. That was Pliskova’s first tour-level win since she suffered a serious ankle injury at the 2024 US Open, which led to two surgeries as well as an infection that nearly ended her career. Karolina followed that up with another impressive straight-set win over fast-rising star Janice Tjen. Six year ago in Brisbane, Pliskova claimed her only prior meeting with Keys 7-5 in the third.
Lorenzo Musetti (5) vs. Tomas Machac – 10:30am on John Cain Arena
Both men are vying for their first appearance in the second week of this tournament. Machac has already eliminated two notable names: Grigor Dimitrov and Stefanos Tsitsipas. And Tomas is 1-0 against Lorenzo, with a straightforward 6-3, 6-2 win two years ago on a hard court.
Eliot Spizzirri vs. Jannik Sinner (2) – Not Before 12:00pm on Rod Laver Arena
Sinner is yet to be even remotely tested, averaging just two games lost per set. Spizzirri is a 24-year-old American making his debut at this stage of a Slam, thanks to a four-set victory over Joao Fonseca, and a five-set victory over Yibing Wu. However, Eliot does not have the weaponry to pose much of a threat to Jannik.
Peyton Stearns vs. Amanda Anisimova (4) – Not Before 12:00pm on Margaret Court Arena
Anisimova has also advanced easily to this round, but she suffered a tough loss to Stearns last season on clay in Madrid, by a score of 7-5 in the third. And Peyton already took out another notable American this week, in 2020 champion Sofia Kenin.
Ben Shelton (8) vs. Valentin Vacherot (30) – Not Before 2:30pm on Margaret Court Arena
Shelton hasn’t dropped a set as he vies to reach the second week of the Australian Open for the third time in four years. Vacherot was one of tennis’ biggest stories of the fall, when he came through qualifying while ranked outside the top 200 to win the Masters event in Shanghai. Valentin upset five seeded players, including Djokovic, on his way to the final against his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech. This is only his second main draw appearance at a Major. Vacherot has a great serve, as does Shelton, so this match could easily be decided by a few tiebreaks.
Stan Wawrinka (WC) vs. Taylor Fritz (9) – Not Before 5:00pm on John Cain Arena
Fritz will certainly be the fresher player, having lost only one set through two rounds. However, he has been dealing with multiple physical issues, including knee tendonitis that has been impacting his play since the fall. If Wawrinka could somehow pull off the upset, it would be his first time in the round of 16 at a Major in six years. Stan is 2-1 against Taylor, though his most recent victory over the American came back in 2018, when both players were in very different places in their careers.
Botic van de Zandschulp vs. Novak Djokovic (4) – Not Before 7:00pm on Rod Laver Arena
Despite his own injury issues, Djokovic procured each of his first two matches in straights. But he was defeated by van de Zandschulp the last time they played, which was just last season at Indian Wells. Djokovic took their other prior encounter, which occurred four years ago on an indoor hard court.
Anna Kalinskaya (31) vs. Iga Swiatek (2) – Not Before 7:00pm on Margaret Court Arena
Swiatek has recovered nicely after losing her last two matches earlier this month at the United Cup, advancing comfortably thus far. She is 2-1 against Kalinskaya, which includes a straight-set victory in the same round of the last Major in New York.
Elena Rybakina (5) vs. Tereza Valentova – Last on John Cain Arena
Rybakina has now claimed 15 of her last 16 matches. This is another rematch from the last Major, where Rybakina defeated Valentova in straights.
Naomi Osaka (16) vs. Madison Inglis (Q) – Last on Rod Laver Arena
Osaka has required three sets in each of her first two rounds, and has struck an alarming 85 unforced errors across those six sets. Inglis is an Australian qualifier who survived a pair of over three-hour three-setters to become the last Australian woman standing in the WTA singles draw.
Saturday’s full Order of Play is here.
