Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Australian Open match.
For the Slovakian, this is her debut in the third round of a Grand Slam, whereas for the world number two, progressing through the early stages has long been the norm. Świątek routinely advances at least two rounds in majors since 2020, and the Pole is now setting her sights on winning the Australian Open.
Rebecca Šramková
World number 48 Rebecca Šramková endured a tough opening round against Katie Volynets, eventually triumphing (3:6, 6:2, 6:2). In the first set, she committed 24 unforced errors with only seven winners. The Slovakian then levelled her play, hitting 25 winners but at the expense of 45 unforced errors. Her recent success is largely attributed to her breakthrough in 2024, where she broke into the top 50 and clinched her first WTA 250 title. However, against top-20 players, Šramková has struggled, having lost five of six matches since the start of last year and both encounters against top-10 opponents.
Iga Świątek
Iga Świątek sailed through her first-round match, defeating Kateřina Siniaková (6:3, 6:4). The Pole controlled the match, making only 15 unforced errors alongside 17 winners. Her serve was consistently effective, winning 79% of points on her first serve with a 71% success rate. Even at an average performance level, Świątek smoothly dispatches opponents of Siniaková’s level, and Šramková ranks below the Czech on hard courts. Historically, Świątek consistently cruises through the early rounds of tournaments; in her last 10 hard court majors, she has reached at least the third round each time. Against opponents outside the top 10, she boasts an impressive hard court record of 26 wins and only three losses over the past year.
Rebecca Šramková vs Iga Świątek Prediction
Świątek is a superior player in terms of class and level. Šramková relies heavily on her forehand and makes too many errors, making her an easy target for Świątek’s balanced game. The Pole typically raises her level as the tournament progresses, and the two-set format only bolsters her chances for a commanding victory. Hence, we'll back a win for Świątek with a handicap.
