Agnieszka Radwanska hasn’t dropped a set this year, and it is difficult to see her doing so in the fourth round of the 2016 Australian Open when she takes on youngster Anna-Lena Friedsam. Join The Roar for live scores from 5pm (AEDT).
Hisense Arena will be the location for one Firedsam’s biggest ever matches so far in her short career. She will be aiming to really come out and make a statement against the world No.4, even if she can’t walk away with the victory.
It’s easy to write Friedsam off for this match with Radwanska, however many would have been writing her off in her third round match as well.
She came up against 13th seed Roberta Vinci and after dropping the first set 6-0, it was looking like it could get ugly. However, she rallied and came back strongly managing to take the final two sets 6-4, 6-4 and cause yet another upset on the women’s side of the draw.
The win in the third round came off the back of a three set victory over Lourdes Dominquez-Lino in the first round, and a very solid looking straight sets victory over Qiang Wang in the second round. In all three matches, she played fantastic tennis and demonstrated good form.
Radwanska meanwhile has been in some absolutely outstanding form. Three straight sets victories so far over Christina McHale, Eugenie Bouchard and Monica Puig have set her up very well for the rest of the tournament, with every element of her game on song and firing.
Both players played in one lead up tournament to the Australian Open, Shenzhen. Radwanska would go onto win the tournament, but both players would have been happy with their form, despite playing mainly lower-ranked opponents.
The pair have previously only met on one occasion, which actually came this year in Shenzhen at that lead-up tournament. They met in the semi-final and Radwanska ran away with the victory 6-2, 6-4.
Prediction
Radwanska looks like she will have the goods again in this much. Playing superb tennis lately, it is hard to fathom her losing a set, let alone the match however that has been said about many matches in the women’s draw at this year’s Australian Open with plenty of upsets.
Radwanska in three sets.
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Craig Tinney
Roar Rookie
Friedsam played well, would have liked to see her win