Monday, Fourth Round

Rod Laver Arena
[21] Ana Ivanovic (SRB #22) vs. [2] Petra Kvitova (CZE #2)
Head-to-head: Ivanovic leads 3-0
In June 2008, Ana Ivanovic had the tennis world at her feet. The young Serb had just won her maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros and was also the WTA's new World No.1. However, the following three-and-a-half years have been spent in the tennis wilderness, with Ivanovic searching desperately for confidence and consistency. On Monday she takes on one of her heirs to the title of tennis's next big thing, Petra Kvitova. Recent form would suggest there is only one winner - Ivanovic lost early in both her pre-Australian Open tune-up events and has not been beyond the fourth round of a major since 2008 - but the Czech's tendency to go off the boil mid-match ensures her encounters are never a foregone conclusion. In the second round, Kvitova trailed Carla Suárez Navarro 2-0 in the final set before rallying to win 62 26 64, and a similarly error-strewn display against Ivanovic could open the door for an upset.

[14] Sabine Lisicki (GER #15) vs. [4] Maria Sharapova (RUS #4)
Head-to-head: Sharapova leads 2-0
When Sabine Lisicki made it through to the Wimbledon semifinals last summer, it marked the end of a difficult few years for the young German. Stricken by a misdiagnosed ankle injury, she spent five months on the sidelines, dropping out of the Top 200 and relying on a wildcard to take her place in the draw at SW19. Since then, Lisicki has gone from strength to strength and now looks ready to make the step from promising talent to major contender. If this breakthrough is to happen in Melbourne, though, she will first have to see off her Wimbledon conqueror, Maria Sharapova. And judging by the Russian's performances in the first week - she has dropped just five games in three matches - this task could be verging on mission impossible. Lisicki has the power to trade blows with Sharapova, but the pivotal factor in this match will be whether she can maintain this for an entire match against one of the WTA's ultimate competitors.

Also on court…
The last match of the day session on Rod Laver sees five-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams take on the unseeded Ekaterina Makarova. Meanwhile, over on Margaret Court the final fourth round match pits Sara Errani against Jie Zheng.