Three to See, Australian Open Day 9: Svitolina vs. Noskova, Zverev vs. Norrie, Hurkacz vs. Cazaux
Before each day’s play, we’ll preview three must-see matches.
Elina Svitolina vs. Linda Noskova
After knocking out world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in a deciding set, Noskova is the latest teenager on everyone’s radar—especially since the Pole later compared the Czech’s game to Sabalenka and Rybakina. Now, the curiosity is whether she can back up her seed-stunning performance by taking out Ukrainian favorite and returning mom Svitolina.
Svitolina, on the other hand, is playing with “nothing to lose” as she’s focusing just on the opportunity to pay a fourth-round match. This mindset is dangerous to play against, especially for Noskova as all eyes are on her.
Both players head into this match with a 7-1 record for the year. Who will add an eighth win to their name?
Alexander Zverev vs. Cameron Norrie
At this point in the tournament, there is no more complaining about high-quality matchups being too early in the draw. This match sees a current Top 10 player (Zverev) face a former one (Norrie), both of whom have
Zverev has made several deep runs at Grand Slams, including one runner-up appearance at the US Open four years ago, and is looking for his first Australian Open quarterfinal since 2021. Norrie is into a second week of a major for the first time in two years, and is seeking his first quarterfinal since he reached the penultimate round of Wimbledon in 2022.
Each is playing with a lot of heart ang grit—both have won a four- and five-setter already at this tournament already. In their fifth tour-level meeting (Zverev has won the first four), who will come out on the other side?
Hubert Hurkacz vs. Arthur Cazaux
While Hurkacz was competing hard to reach the fourth round—he came from two-sets-to-one down in the second round, and a set down in the third—wildcard Frenchman Cazaux had been wiping the tournament clean of solid competitors. Although his most notable win was over No. 8 Holger Rune in the second round, Cazaux also took down seasoned players Laslo Djere and Tallon Griekspoor along with him.
Ranked No. 122, this 21-year-old Frenchman is embracing his first appearance in the second week of a slam.
With big serves from both sides of the court and groundstrokes to back up them up, the clashing of similar games will be a true test for each player.