Australian Open 2014: Women’s quarterfinal predictions

Li Na (4) vs Flavia Pennetta (28)

Third time lucky for Li?

Its somewhat fitting that the happiest and funniest player on the women’s tour, Li Na, always produces her best tennis at the ‘Happy Slam’, finding herself in yet another quarterfinal at the tournament. Up against inspired Italian Flavia Pennetta though, she will have to be at her best as she seeks to go closer to claiming her first Australian Open title.

Form: Li saw off the challenge of two players almost half her age in the first two rounds, as she beat Ana Konjuh and Belinda Bencic in straight sets. After surviving a mighty scare against Lucie Safarova in the third round, she dispatched Ekaterina Makarova with consummate ease, handing out her third bagel of the tournament to the Russian in the fourth round. Pennetta has displayed admirable tennis after coming back from her wrist injury as she did not drop a set through the first three rounds against Cadantu, Puig and Barthel before upsetting 9th seed Angelique Kerber in a tight three-set fourth round match.

What’s in store: Pennetta is enjoying a nice little renaissance in her career, after being replaced as the top Italian player by both Francesca Schiavone and Sara Errani in recent times. After reaching the US Open semifinal last year, she once again finds herself in the second week of a Grand Slam. Li has reached the finals twice here in Melbourne and the No.4 seed would be desperate to finally capture her second Grand Slam title, especially now that Serena Williams is out of the tournament. Both veterans will be determined, but I would go for Li’s experience to prevail.

Prediction: Li to beat Pennetta in straight sets