Predicting the Day 9 matches for 2025 Australian Open including one surprise

We have reached the last day of the fourth round at the Australian Open, and while tennis fans have seen some upsets, most of the pre-tournament favorites remain. This could imply there is a big divide between the top-level of tennis and the second-best group. Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, and a handful of others might simply be too good.

Sabalenka, specifically, has lost only one match in Australia over the last few years. Still, she likely has to win in Melbourne to hold on to her WTA No. 1 ranking. She has fallen behind Iga Swiatek in the live rankings, partly because of the success Sabalenka had early in 2024.

But what will happen on Day 9 of the 2025 Australian Open? Which players will reach the quarterfinals? Here are some guesses.

Predictions for Day 9 of the 2025 Australian Open

Veronika Kudermetova versus Elina Svitolina

Whatever Svitolina and Gael Monfils ate and drank in preparation for the Australian Open is something maybe we all should follow. Both are surprisingly in the fourth round of the Australian Open, and both appear capable of beating anyone. Should both find a way to the final then that might be the best tennis story of the year, and it's only January. Here is guessing Svitolina wins in three sets.

Jannik Sinner versus Holger Rune

Rune has not had a match less than four sets yet, and two have gone five. His level of competition takes a huge uptick against Sinner, however. The Italian is clearly the best player on hard courts on the ATP currently. Sinner wins in four sets.

Eva Lys versus Iga Swiatek

Lys has had a fairly easy draw so far, and that changes in round four. Swiatek is not the player on hard courts that Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are, but she is certainly better than Lys. The Pole wins easily in straight sets.

Alex Michelsen versus Alex de Minaur

The battle of the Alexes, but one will have full home-crowd support. That would be de Minaur, of course. Michelsen has already defeated two seeded players, and has dropped just one set. The two met twice in 2024 and split the matches, but Michelsen dominated de Minaur on the hard court of Los Cabos. The guess is the same happens in Melbourne and the American moves into the quarterfinals.

Elena Rybakina versus Madison Keys

Rybakina is working her way through the Aussie Open while being coached by Goran Ivanisevic. The coach is not sure how long he will be around, though, as Rybakina shockingly re-hired former coach Stefano Vukov. Keys is playing some of her best tennis in a while, but she won't win this match.

Gael Monfils versus Ben Shelton

This is a must-watch match. Shelton plays with a lot of passion, while Monfils is one of the best showmen in the history of tennis. Both are playing well, but Monfils has more momentum after beginning the year by winning the ASB Classic. The Frenchman will win this match in five sets.

Lorenzo Sonego versus Learner Tien

Anyone who had placed money on this being one of the matchups in the fourth round, feel free to collect your winnings. Tien only had played 12 matches in his career entering the Australian Open. Sonego seemingly had reached his ceiling and it wasn't overly high. Let's assume the Tien magic continues and he wins in four sets.

Emma Navarro versus Daria Kasatkina

Navarro has snuck through each round by winning in three sets, and the third set has always been close. Kasatkina has been brilliant and has not lost more than six games in any match. She will win this in straight sets, too.

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