Three to See, Australian Open Day 7: Ostapenko vs. Azarenka, Auger-Aliassime vs. Medvedev, Norrie vs. Ruud

Jelena Ostapenko vs. Victoria Azarenka

There is no other way to say this: the arena may erupt for this third-round match. From the celebrations on crucial points to the grunting for powerful groundstrokes to the intense service games, fans are in for a treat with this one.

That said, fans can't be too thrilled with Ostapenko right now—she's eliminated two Australian players. Her 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 win over Ajla Tomjlanovic was impressive no matter how you look at it. Azarenka has made it through two three-setters, both of which she was leading by a set.

Azarenka has won all three of their meetings, including earlier this month in Brisbane, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. But all of them have been closely contested in some way. Can she carry the mantle for the moms? Only two of eight remain in the draw, and both are playing on Day 7.

Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Daniil Medvedev

The Canadian has fallen into the tennis media trap like so many players before him. After soaring to the top of the ranks, there’s a comfort among the attention—until the pressure seeps in and suddenly everyone is catching up.

FAA's last three Slam appearances have ended as quickly as they began, with first-round losses. Last year’s Australian Open was the most recent “deep run” he had, making it to the Round of 16. No. 3 seed and title contender Medvedev will be a giant step up in competition, of course.

Fortunately for Auger-Aliassime, Medvedev has fallen to few lower-ranked players before. The Russian hasn't been clean in Melbourne by any stretch, winning in four and five sets. So if Auger-Aliassime digs deep enough within, there’s wiggle room to edge past Medvedev—surely fatigued after his last content, which ended at 3:39 a.m.

Cameron Norrie vs. Casper Ruud

Both Norrie and Ruud face similar challenges when it comes to Slams. They know they can make deep runs, with Norrie reaching the Wimbledon semis in 2022 and Ruud making it to three finals over the past couple of years, but neither can seem to get over this internal hurdle to the other side. They have similar game styles, too, just mirrored (as Norrie’s left handed).

But as the draw would have it, only one can continue. And for the other, that internal hurdle could grow larger.