.@SerenaWilliams races through the opening set vs Gibbs 6-1! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/MVkifIDyJX

— WTA (@WTA) January 21, 2017

Predicted Winners in BOLD

ROD LAVER ARENA

[2] Serena Williams(USA) vs [16] Barbora Strycova (CZE) – Serena has looked quite sharp.  I think she will end a solid run by Strycova in 2 semi-close sets.

[5] Karolina Pliskova (CZE) vs [22] Daria Gavrilova (AUS) – Pliskova needed 10-8 in the 3rd to win last round after posting 2 dominating victories.  Gavrilova will have a partisan crowd behind her.  If Pliskova doesn’t raise her level of play, she will lose.  I expect her to raise her level though.

MARGARET COURT ARENA

[9] Johanna Konta (GBR) vs [30] Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) – Makarova is one of my favorite players, and I could certainly see her winning this match.  However, Konta has played quite well through 3 rounds so I lean toward her.

Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO)  vs [Q] Jennifer Brady (USA) – MLB could be headed for her first major semi since the 1999 Wimbledon championships.