Is the massive win over World No. 45 Lauren Davis the beginning of something great for Samantha Crawford?
The Atlanta native shocked the current ASB Classic champion by going on a tear in the final two sets of their first-round clash in the Australian Open (4-6, 6-3, 6-0), converting half of her 12 break-point opportunities and 69 percent of her first-serve points.
Crawford’s now set to take on defending French Open champion Garbine Muguruza, and it’s hard to imagine that she can pull off back-to-back stunning upsets in Melbourne with the evident uptick in competition. Before her victory over her fellow American, the 21-year-old Crawford was humbled by 386th-ranked Destanee Aiava in Brisbane in straight sets a week ago, 6-0, 6-4.
That lackluster performance would explain why fans were stunned with the World No. 162’s win over Davis, and also why we shouldn’t be too high up on her chances of upending Muguruza on Wednesday. Furthermore, Crawford’s current second-round placement already ties her best finish in a Grand Slam tournament, and she also bowed out of her maiden trip to the Aussie Open in the first round of the event last season.
Contrary to Crawford’s case, many had predicted Garbine Muguruza to advance to the second round of the Australian Open with ease. Instead, her fans had to wait with baited breath before she could eliminate New Zealand’s Marina Erakovic in the first round with a 7-5, 6-4 decision.
Still dealing with an apparent sore thigh, Muguruza mustered up great resolve and stormed back from a 4-1 second-set deficit to still defeat Erakovic in straight sets. The Spaniard suffered the injury in Brisbane the week prior during the first set of her semifinal matchup versus Alize Cornet, and it appears as if there’s still some lingering issues with her leg’s health.
Nevertheless, Muguruza’s strong finish is what mattered most, keeping the 23-year-old a force to be reckoned with in Melbourne right now. She got off to a strong start with three wins in Brisbane before exiting the tournament, and she seems unfazed with her minor setback in the first round as well.
On the other hand, Muguruza not playing at a hundred percent and having a mere 15-12 record on hard courts last season is a promising sign for Crawford. But when you consider the Spaniard’s overall talent and current streak of five-straight appearances in the second round of the Aussie Open, you still can’t help but side with the favorite to pull off another gritty victory in this Wednesday’s matchup.
Writer’s Prediction
Muguruza (-600) fights through the pain and advances to the next round in three close sets.
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