The match of the tournament so far will see the two time Australian Open champion, Victoria Azarenka go up against the number eight seed, Caroline Wozniacki. I can’t quite fathom how this match hasn’t earnt the night session on Rod Laver Arena, but the scheduling has been odd so far this week. To see a match-up of this quality so early on is an exciting prospect although it will be a disappointment for whoever goes out. The last time Azarenka lost before the third round at the Australian Open was in 2006, while Wozniacki has NEVER lost before the third round down under.
Both players came through their first round matches in straight sets; Azarenka defeated Sloane Stephens, 6-3 6-2 and Wozniacki beat Taylor Townsend, 7-6(1) 6-2. It was Azarenka’s first win of the year and a third consecutive victory over Stephens at the Australian Open. It was a reasonably solid performance from Vika, who served well and was much more consistent than her American opponent. Wozniacki defeated Townsend for the second time this year having played the 18-year-old in the first week of the season in Auckland. The Dane finished with very impressive stats of 20 winners to just 10 unforced errors.
Wozniacki leads Azarenka in the head-to-head, 4-3. The pair went nearly three years without playing a completed match between 2010 and 2013. It’s not quite like the Azarenka v Kvitova match-up which has remained dormant since 2011 (PLEASE COME BACK), but it’s a match we haven’t seen a great deal of in the last few years. In their last completed match, Azarenka won a tight two setter in Cincy in 2013, 6-3 7-6(5). Since that match up, their fortunes have rapidly reversed with Wozniacki moving up the rankings and Azarenka falling, mainly due to a spate of injuries.
So who’s going to win? Oh boy this is a tough one. I honestly won’t be surprised to see either player prevail, but the edge for me is with Wozniacki. The wrist injury that she picked up in Sydney was concerning, but there didn’t seem to be any ill effects from it in her first round match. Also, if this match were to go the distance and become physically demanding then I do think Wozniacki will become the favourite. The five matches in Auckland were ideal for Wozniacki’s preparations, while Azarenka played just one match in Brisbane. Azarenka’s level has been reasonably solid in her two matches this year, but I don’t think she has quite got that winning mentality back, which stems from a lack of matches over the course of the last year. In the loss to Karolina Pliskova in Brisbane, Azarenka played a pretty good match, but couldn’t raise her level at the very end.
I think it will be a very competitive match and i’m going for Caro.
Prediction: Wozniacki d. Azarenka in 3 sets
Moo's Tennis Blog 
I think Wozniacki has the advantage of being more match fit and confident. But if she is still injured at all then Azarenka will really push her and is definitely capable of pulling an upset. Whoever is more aggressive will be the winner, I think.
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Same pick, Caro seems better. But azarenka will définitively not make as much unforced errors as Taylor Townsend. So Caro will have to earn all those points. Hope she will do it. C’mon Caro !!!
Still not had any opportunity to watch a game of this tournament… Hope for next week to have more time spend for tennis. I noticed Maria Sharapova lost 1 set today… How was she today ? (if anyone watched) She was tired ? Her serve was not good today ? She made many unforced errors ?
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I didnt watch it but apparently Panova was just outplaying Sharapova. She couldn’t close it out though, even with 2 match points.
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I hope Caro wins but this match is up for grabs.
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Sharapova played poorly and luck was on her side.
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It sounds like Sharapova threw in one of those performances she does every now and them. But to be fair to her she made two world class forehands with no margin for error on both the match points she faced. She then played two more superb points to break. You cannot fault her bravery and her ability to produce in the highest pressure situations.
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I agree, respect to Maria. I think she will be much stronger for it as well.
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So gutted I can’t watch this! I do hope someone will make quality highlights so that I (and everyone else in similar situation) can at least watch them though it’s not the same as a live match, obviously. It’ll surely be a great match.
And what the heck is going with the scheduling..? This is the most anticipated match of the tournament so far and it’s not even on RLA! If Makarova-Vinci can play there, surely this belongs there as well… Anyway, everyone who’ll be able to watch it, ENJOY 🙂
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Sammmmmeeeeee 😦 I’m going to get up early to watch Petra v Mona, but I’ll be work for Caro v Vika. Going to try and catch some of it on AO Radio.
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My heart says Caro but my head says Vika. So I stick with my original prediction that Vika is having a deep run. Also, I’m not able to watch it 😦
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Same, Murphy 😦 I’m surprised there hasn’t been more support for Azarenka. Hope it’s a good match although not too good as we are going to miss watching it! 😉
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