By Kamakshi Tandon

Na Li (CHN)[19] vs. Martina Hingis (SUI)[6] Rod Laver Arena – 1st match 

The top-ranked Chinese is a dangerous opponent for Martina Hingis. The Swiss hasn’t been troubled at all so far in her march to the fourth round, but will need to use her repertoire of shots to keep Li from getting into a groove. Hingis says she feels more at ease off-court after getting engaged to Czech player Radek Stepanek. Li’s husband, meanwhile, has proved so influential in her career – convincing her to take up the sport again after she gave it up in college – that the Chinese tennis federation has appointed him her coach.

Prediction: No Radek in the stands. No, not trouble in paradise – he has a doubles match scheduled to start at the same time.

James Blake (USA)[5] vs. Fernando Gonzalez (CHI)[10] Rod Laver Arena – 3rd match

This will be a battle of huge forehands, and it’s Gonzalez who’s won the last three matches between these two. If the happy-go-lucky Chilean plays the way he did in the first two sets of his last match, he’ll be extremely tough to stop. But that’s unlikely over the course of another three sets, and Blake is playing with enough confidence to be able to turn the losing trend around.

Prediction: More forehand winners than backhand winners. More errors too.

Maria Sharapova (RUS)[1] vs. Vera Zvonareva (RUS)[22] Rod Laver Arena – 4th match (1st night match)

Zvonareva shocked Ana Ivanovic in their third-round match to set up this meeting with Sharapova, but the soon-to-be No. 1 player in the world will surely make things more difficult for the resurgent Russian. Still, if Zvonareva starts feeling comfortable and keeps calm, there could be a few tense moments.

Prediction: Lots of shrieks – of determination on one side, and exasperation on the other.

Andy Murray (GBR)[15] vs. Rafael Nadal (ESP)[2] Rod Laver Arena – 5th match (2nd night match)

This is the first meeting between these two teenagers, and an intriguing one that could set the stage for their future matchups.

Murray said one of his goals this year was to play the Spaniard, and he thinks the contest will be a good one. That’s an unusual statement from the Scot, given that he tends to downplay his chances when facing top players even when he ends up beating them – maybe he has a few surprises in store for Nadal. Playing at night will also help him, but the best-of-five format and the Rebound Ace surface are in Nadal’s favor.

Prediction: Dropshots.