Saturday, Third Round
Rod Laver Arena
[27] Maria Kirilenko (RUS #29) vs. [2] Petra Kvitova (CZE #2)
Head-to-head: Kirilenko leads 2-1
Which version of Petra Kvitova will turn up on Saturday? If it's the one who went on a 12-match win streak at the end of 2011 and crushed Vera Dushevina in the first round, then Maria Kirilenko, her third round opponent, could be up against it. But, if the version that stumbled past Carla Suárez Navarro on Thursday makes an appearance, a shock could be on. And Kirilenko has previous in upsetting the pecking order at the Australian Open; two years ago she saw off higher-ranked compatriots Maria Sharapova and Dinara Safina en route to the quarterfinals. The Russian also holds a 2-1 head-to-head advantage, although recent bragging rights lie with Kvitova, who won their most recent meeting, in November's Fed Cup final, 62 62.
[30] Angelique Kerber (GER #30) vs. [4] Maria Sharapova (RUS #4)
Head-to-head: first meeting
Maria Sharapova has used the early stages of this year's Australian Open to fire out a warning shot to her rivals for the title. The 2008 champion dropped a solitary game against both Gisela Dulko and Jamie Hampton, and in this form, when she marries power with precision on her flat groundstrokes, she will prove hard to stop. Next into the firing line is Angelique Kerber. While Kerber may not quite have the power to trade blows with the No.4 seed, she does have the big-match temperament to spring an upset, as displayed during her run to the semifinals of last year's US Open. Composure will only take her so far, though, and, should Sharapova pick up where she left off against Hampton, Kerber's chances of making the fourth round in Melbourne for the first time would appear slim at best.
Hisense Arena
[14] Sabine Lisicki (GER #15) vs. [18] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS #19)
Head-to-head: Lisicki leads 1-0
Despite the close scoreline, Svetlana Kuznetsova impressed in her second round clash against Sloane Stephens, with her clean hitting from either wing suggesting at a return to form for the former World No.2. However, the match was also characterized by erratic serving - Stephens broke serve five times - which, if repeated on Saturday, will play into the hands of Sabine Lisicki, her big-serving opponent. Lisicki arrived Down Under fresh from a memorable 2011, in which she broke into the Top 20 and reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at Wimbledon, and, after a first round struggle, looked impressive in swatting aside Shahar Peer. The pair's only previous meeting came at Wimbledon in 2009, when Lisicki defeated her then-higher-ranked opponent in straight sets.
Around the grounds…
Serena Williams continues her quest for title number six at Melbourne Park against Greta Arn on Rod Laver. On Hisense Ana Ivanovic meets Vania King, while Margaret Court Arena plays host to the all-Russian clash between Vera Zvonareva and Ekaterina Makarova. Reigning doubles champions Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta are also in action, taking on Sílvia Soler-Espinosa and Suárez Navarro in the second round.
