Things have started to get interesting at the Australian Open with over-time matches on both the men’s and women’s side. Maria Sharapova battled through 10-8 in the 3rd set to move ahead into the 3rd round. Here are a few matches to watch out for tomorrow:

Serena Williams vs Daniela Hantuchova

Daniela was another clean-hitting, long-legged blonde-bombshell who went overtime in her 2nd round match. She has to play Serena next up and that could just mean bad news. However if Serena even slips a little, Hantuchova might just give us a good match.

Prediction: Williams in 2 sets, maybe stretched in one.

Jie Zheng vs Casey Dellacqua

Zheng finds herself in a neat quarter of the draw where she has to be favoured to reach the quarterfinals. However, Dellacqua will have the crowd on her side and that could do wonders as we have seen on multiple occasions at this Australian Open.

Prediction: Zheng to advance to the fourth round in 2 tough sets.

Samantha Stosur vs Ana Ivanovic

This is easily the Match of the Day! Two former Grand Slam Champions and Ana was a former World No.1 to boot. Stosur and Ivanovic bring similar aggressive and shot-making games to the court based on big serves and huge forehands. This has all the ingredients of a classic and if you have to watch one match tomorrow, tune into this.

Prediction: Sam Stosur to keep the Ozzie flag flying at this open in 3 entertaining sets.

Tommy Robredo and Richard Gasquet

Two single-handed backhands. I had half a mind to end my notes on this match with that one sentence. For a connoisseur of sports and those who appreciate aesthetic values, that is all you need to know. However, this match will have a lot of grit too. Robredo is continuing his good work from last year and while the other Tommy (Haas) was unfortunately injured, Robredo is making another run at a 2nd consecutive hard-court slam in succession! Richard Gasquet has been adding some much needed toughness to the enormous talent he always possessed. He beefed up on the grit or toughness quotient by hiring Sergi Bruguera as coach and this is a match where Gasquet will show us how much this season means to him.

Prediction: Gasquet to emerge victorious in 4 of the most beautiful sets. Watch the match, if just for those gorgeous one-handed backhands!

Dennis Istomin vs Novak Djokovic

When the draw came out, everyone went into a fit over how easy Djokovic’s half was, but as we see things play out you can see all top players have had it quite easy in the 1st 2 rounds with the exception of Juan Martin Del Potro, who is flirting with danger in the 5th set against Bautista-Agut. The point being no draw is tough unless it pans out on the court. For having an easy draw, Dennis Istomin is a tough player for Djokovic to deal. Novak will have to be at his best to ward off the Uzbek. A must watch for sure.

Prediction: Djokovic to get through to the 4th round in a 4 set thriller!

What matches are you going to watch? Who are your picks?

–Prakash Potukuchi [ aka Roger Laver is the founder of Sportz Cosmos]