There was no shortage of entertaining action at Memorial Park Drive on day one at the Adelaide International. And the quality of the tennis should only rise on day two with a number of star names set to join the fray. But who will advance?
Adelaide International Day Two Predictions
Arina Rodionova vs Sloane Stephens
Head-to-head: first meeting
Sloane Stephens endured a rather disappointing 2019 campaign, despite threatening to make some good showings at the Majors. And she will doubtless have been disappointed to lose in the first round at the Brisbane International, where Ludmilla Samsonova beat her in three-sets. Arina Rodionova, meanwhile, impressed in battling through the qualifying in Adelaide, beating second seed Carla Suarez Navarro in three before securing her place in the main draw with a 6-2 1-6 6-2 win over Anastasia Potapova.
However, she will be the underdog against Stephens. Rodionova is a good mover and possesses fine touch. But what has held her back throughout her career is a lack of power off the ground. Stephens can sometimes fail to impose herself on opponents, but that is due to a failing in her tactical approach. She certainly has the power to do so, and Stephens is also one of the best athletes on tour. Provides she plays this match with the correct tactics, she should prove too strong for Rodionova.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
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Marketa Vondrousova vs Tatjana Maria
Head-to-head: Vondrousova 1-0 Maria
Since her thrilling run to the French Open final last season, Marketa Vondrousova has played very little tennis. The Czech played three matches during the grass-court season, winning one, and has not played competitively since after picking up a left-wrist injury that eventually required surgery. That long period on the sidelines may well have left short of match sharpness in Adelaide. Tatjana Maria, in contrast, should be more than ready for this first-round matchup after coming through the qualifying.
There, the German beat Han Na-lae of South Korea in straight-sets, before dispatching Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich 7-6 6-0. But Vondrousova may well provide a sterner test. The 20-year-old has already established herself as one of the best returners on tour, with her returns causing Maria real problems in their only previous meeting, which Vondrousova won 6-4 6-3 in Miami. The German is playing well enough to be competitive, but Vondrousova should have enough to come out on top.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
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Ashleigh Barty vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Head-to-head: Pavlyuchenkova 3-2 Barty
Ashleigh Barty fell to an inspired Jennifer Brady in her opening match of the season in Brisbane and she could be in for another testing day up against Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who has won three of their five previous meetings. That said, Pavlyuchenkova’s only win since 2013 did come via Barty’s retirement in the last four in Strasbourg, a defeat Barty avenged later that at the Wuhan Open, in conditions not entirely dissimilar to those in Adelaide.
However, Barty will nonetheless need to be wary of the Russian. Pavlyuchenkova may no longer quite be the player she was in her prime, but her backhand remains a world-class shot, one that she can use to devastating effect down the line. Barty will need to avoid backhand-to-backhand exchanges as a result. But if the Australian can draw her opponent forward with her sliced backhand and dictate proceedings with her forehand, expect her to reach the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Barty in 2
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Simona Halep vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Head-to-head: Halep 2-0 Tomljanovic
Ajla Tomljanovic made a fine start to her Adelaide International campaign, dismissing Yulia Putintseva in straight-sets. But she will face a rather sterner test in the shape of second seed Simona Halep. The Romanian enjoyed another season to remember in 2019, highlighted by her triumph at the All England Club and has generally played well in Australia, reaching the final at Melbourne Park in 2018. She has also had much the better of her rivalry with Tomljanovic, beating the Australian in both of their previous meetings.
Tomljanovic has won a set in both matches, however, so this looks unlikely to be a walkover for Halep. But it is nonetheless a match she should win. Typically, when Halep struggles, it is because she is outhit and Tomljanovic, for all her qualities, lacks the power off the ground to do that. She does time the ball well and is a good mover, but in both those departments, Halep is better. As a result, expect Halep to book her place in the quarterfinals at the Adelaide International, but only after a battle.
Prediction: Halep in 3
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