Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon winner, reached the final of the Australian Open last year before losing to Naomi Osaka. After skating through her first three rounds this year, she needed three sets to beat Maria Sakkari, the 22nd seed. Since last year’s Australian Open, Kvitova has lost three times to Barty, and it may seem a foregone conclusion that the Australian’s home-court advantage will help her secure a win. But Kvitova is still the veteran player, and has a knack for pushing players into the deep corners of the court and coming in to cut off any subpar responses at net. No matter the score, it’s sure to be the most entertaining match of the night.
Novak Djokovic vs. Milos Raonic
Novak Djokovic, the second seed, has dropped only one set on his way to the quarterfinals. Djokovic, 32, is the youngest of the so-called Big Three, and is considered by many to be the favorite in this year’s Australian Open. In his quest to push his game to the limits, he often hits shots on the slide, well outside the edges of the court, breaking down his opponents by making them hit three exceptional shots before they get into place to hit a winner against him.
Milos Raonic, who fought past a resurgent Marin Cilic in the last round, has looked exceptional through the first week of the Open. Raonic’s powerful groundstrokes allow him to dictate longer rallies, and his height gives his serving a clear advantage. Raonic hit 35 aces against Cilic and 19 against Stefanos Tsitsipas in his third-round upset of the sixth seed.
Although Djokovic, a seven-time Australian Open champion, is considered the greatest returner of serve in the modern game, Raonic has an opportunity to take away that weapon and power past him.
Sofia Kenin vs. Ons Jabeur
Ons Jabeur, ranked 78th in the world, is the first Arab woman to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam event. Jabeur, a Tunisian, reached the third round of a major at the 2019 United States Open and the 2017 French Open. After beating Johanna Konta, the 12th seed, in the first round, Jabeur took out Caroline Wozniacki, the former world No. 1 who is retiring after this year’s Australian Open, and 27th-seeded Wang Qiang. She will try to force another upset, this time over 21-year-old Sofia Kenin.
