Australian Open Day 4 Women’s Predictions Including Emma Raducanu vs Anastasia Potapova

The second round of the Australian Open kicks off on Day 4 as 64 women remain in the first Grand Slam draw of 2026. Some of the best in the world will be in action on Day 4, including British star Emma Raducanu squaring off against Anastasia Potapova. Elsewhere around the grounds, we offer predictions for Coco Gauff vs Olga Danilovic, Mirra Andreeva vs Maria Sakkari, and Aryna Sabalenka vs Zhuoxuan Bai. Ilemona Onekutu, Zain Mustafa, and Jordan Reynolds provide their insights. But who will advance?

Australian Open Day 4 Women’s Predictions

Jasmine Paolini vs Magdalena Frech

Ilemona
Paolini’s opening match showcased her trademark intensity and court coverage, forcing errors through pressure rather than power. Frech was solid in round one, but Paolini’s ability to turn defense into offense should be decisive.
Prediction: Paolini in 2

Zain
While Magdalena Frech looked great in her first-round match, the issue for her in this matchup is that she likes to stay on the baseline and dictate play, something Jasmine Paolini does better than her. As such, I’m favouring the Italian here.
Prediction: Paolini in 3

Jordan
This match is on Paolini’s racket. Frech has played well at the Australian Open before and will likely perform at a solid base level, but the Italian is a much better all-round player. I do not foresee an upset here.
Prediction: Paolini in 2

Magda Linette vs Ann Li

Ilemona
Linette navigated her first round with discipline, especially in the longer baseline exchanges. Li played confidently, but her level dipped when pushed into extended rallies.
Prediction: Linette in 3

Zain
This matchup is likely to be decided by second serves and baseline consistency, with both players coming into the match after hard-fought three-set wins in the first round. In these conditions, and having already beaten a seed, I think the experience of Magda Linette gives her a slight edge.
Prediction: Linette in 3

Jordan
Both women had notable opening-round matches. Linette knocked out the No. 15 seed Emma Navarro, while Li needed eight match points to overcome the spirited Camila Osorio after an epic battle.
The Pole was impressive against Navarro, and Li might be a little flat in this one after using so much mental energy against Osorio.
Prediction: Linette in 2

Talia Gibson vs Diana Shnaider

Ilemona
Shnaider’s first-round performance stood out for its aggression and clarity of intent, controlling points early. Gibson competed well but struggled to turn the momentum when under sustained pressure.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2

Zain
Talia Gibson had one of the most surprising performances of the first round for me, and in front of a home crowd she should be well pumped for this match. But Diana Shnaider’s power from the back of the court might be a bridge too far for the Aussie here.
Prediction: Shnaider in 3

Jordan
Home favorite Gibson’s 6-1 6-3 hammering of Anna Blinkova generated some headlines. Can she cause a bigger upset against Shnaider? It is not impossible, but the chances are slim. Shnaider will have taken confidence from how she recovered to beat Barbora Krejcikova in the previous round.
Prediction: Shnaider in 3

Emma Raducanu vs Anastasia Potapova

Ilemona
Raducanu looked physically sharp in round one, moving freely and committing to her patterns. Potapova played an aggressive opener, but her error count rose when rallies became unpredictable.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2

Zain
Coming into the match with big physical and confidence concerns, Emma Raducanu responded well by winning her first-round match comfortably in straight sets. Anastasia Potapova, on the other hand, had to overcome a one-set deficit. While the Austrian’s backhand and ground game can cause Raducanu problems, the Brit should still find enough patches of consistent tennis to win this one.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3

Jordan
Raducanu needs to find the correct balance between attack and patience against the gritty Potapova. That is something the former US Open champion often struggles with, especially in important moments. I have a feeling that Potapova, despite being less talented, will win this.
Prediction: Potapova in 2