Australian Open Women's Day 7 Tips: Swiatek back in action against Rybakina

• Swiatek heavy favourite over Rybakina

• Gauff also anticipated to progress

• Azarenka joins hat-trick of heavy favourites

Swiatek return game holds key for Rybakina clash

With the outright market still holding firm on Iga Swiatek's 2.8815/8 price at the top of the market, the likes of Aryna Sabalenka 7.06/1 and Caroline Garcia 9.08/1 are shortening, following victories on Saturday. Sabalenka ended Elise Mertens' journey, while Garcia didn't have it all her own way, fighting back from a 6-1 first set reverse to get past Laura Siegemund.

Surely a Swiatek win over Elena Rybakina tomorrow will get the outright market moving. She's 1.271/4 to get the win over the Kazakh, a similar price to the line she had against Rybakina in an exhibition in December. Rybakina won that easily, but it's tough to attach too much weight onto performances away from the main tour.

What we do know is that in the last year, Swiatek is running at 112% combined service/return points won percentage on hard court - a level we've rarely seen since Serena Williams at her peak - and she's winning around 10% more return points than Rybakina.

Being able to put so much pressure on her opponent's serve is a clear reason for Swiatek's success, and why she's won so many sets by double or triple break scorelines. Given this, I can't dispute this market price.

Gauff favourite to face Swiatek in quarter-finals

Moving through the draw, there's an interesting match in prospect between Cori Gauff and Jelena Ostapenko, with Gauff a similar price to Swiatek at 1.282/7 to progress to the quarter-finals, where the duo would meet.

I think the market is keen on Gauff due to her better serve and seeming ability to raise her game at key stages - a rare attribute if this is the case - plus continued improvement, but she does look a touch on the short-priced side. There might be some opportunity for opposition of Gauff against Swiatek, should they both make it through tomorrow's matches.

Pegula and Azarenka also favourites on Sunday

Given hard court pedigree, Jessica Pegula looks justified as favourite against Barbora Krejcikova, although again, a little on the short side at 1.528/15. The American, however, has dropped just 11 games across six sets here so far, and beat Swiatek in the United Cup, so should be in confident mood ahead of this clash.

Having said that, Krejcikova is also 6-0 in sets so far in the event, so will also have justified expectations of continuing in the event. Pegula's stronger serve on hard court gives her the edge, but this should be a competitive match.

Finally, Victoria Azarenka is the shortest-priced favourite at 1.182/11 for her meeting with Lin Zhu, who has done very well to make it to this stage after three underdog victories, including a big-priced win over Maria Sakkari on Friday.

Again, the favourite is the stronger server, with Azarenka winning around 5% more service points on hard court in the last year, and Zhu's mediocre serve numbers are likely to hold her back from further progression in the event. It would be a real surprise if Azarenka wasn't solid enough to get the job done here.