PREVIEW-Tennis-Barty, Osaka one win away from fourth-round showdown
World number three Alexander Zverev is also in action on Friday following his straight-sets demolition https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/zverev-soaks-up-boos-after-beating-home-player-millman-2022-01-19 of Aussie John Millman, with the German hoping to stay on course for a maiden Grand Slam triumph against qualifier Radu Albot.
- Country:
- Australia
World number one Ash Barty and defending champion Naomi Osaka could set up a tantalising fourth-round showdown at the Australian Open with victories at Melbourne Park on Friday. Barty, whose stunning form https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/brutal-barty-demolishes-bronzetti-reach-third-round-2022-01-19 has seen her drop just three games so far, takes on 30th seed Camila Giorgi in the third round, while Osaka faces Amanda Anisimova, who won the Melbourne Summer Set 2 tournament in the lead-up.
Barty and Osaka have both won twice against each other but have not met in over two years. In a battle of the French Open champions, holder Barbora Krejcikova plays 2017 winner Jelena Ostapenko, while Victoria Azarenka continues her quest for an unlikely third Australian Open title against 15th seed Elina Svitolina.
Among the men, the up-and-coming Carlos Alcaraz will be in action against seventh seed Matteo Berrettini on Rod Laver Arena, which will be followed by another heavyweight clash involving 20-times major winner Rafa Nadal and the big-hitting Karen Khachanov. World number three Alexander Zverev is also in action on Friday following his straight-sets demolition https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/zverev-soaks-up-boos-after-beating-home-player-millman-2022-01-19 of Aussie John Millman, with the German hoping to stay on course for a maiden Grand Slam triumph against qualifier Radu Albot.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
ALSO READ
Osaka''s victory gives Japan edge in Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers
Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek and Emma Raducanu earn wins in the Billie Jean King Cup
Japan advances to the Billie Jean King Cup finals without Naomi Osaka needing to play a 2nd match
Fighting with Jannik Sinner, Novak to be World No. 1, says Carlos Alcaraz ahead of Madrid Open
Tennis-Osaka doing her homework on clay ahead of French Open