Day 2 of the Australian Open is Tuesday! Assuming the weather cooperates, we’ll wrap up the first round in Melbourne. Who will win? In addition to our pre-tournament predictions, we’re trying to analyze as many individual matches as we can for you. Each set of predictions contains four matches. Along with this set, we also have predictions featuring Donna Vekic vs Maria Sharapova, Amanda Anisimova vs Zarina Diyas, Kristina Mladenovic vs Karolina Pliskova, Jennifer Brady vs Simona Halep, and Marketa Vondrousova vs Svetlana Kuznetsova. Predicting this set of matches are Tracey Essex, myself (Yesh Ginsburg), and David Adair.
Australian Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Iga Swiatek vs Timea Babos
Tracey:
This should be a comfortable win for Polish rising star Iga Swiatek. The second round will prevent the teen from a deep run in Melbourne. If Sabalenka continues her rampage, Swiatek stands little chance of seeing the third round.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Yesh:
These are two talented youngsters, but Swiatek is both younger and far more talented. Expect an easy win from the Pole.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
David:
2020 is definitely the year of high expectations for Poland’s prodigiously talented Iga Swiatek. Roland Garros looks like her best chance at a Slam breakthrough. She has not been in action since the US Open and it looks like Swiatek may lack a bit of match fitness. Her inconsistent Hungarian opponent comes into this match on the back of two defeats this season, but Timea Babos is dangerous and her match sharpness may just help her sneak over the line in this match.
Prediction: Babos in 3
Heather Watson vs Kristyna Pliskova
Tracey:
An interesting match-up. Heather Watson impressed in Hobart while Kristyna Pliskova fell in the second round. If past play is the best indicator, Watson wins this one.
Prediction: Watson in 3
Yesh:
Pliskova might not have the same results as her twin sister, but she is clearly supremely talented. Kristyna has been playing better and better tennis recently, and her current form should blast Watson off the court.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
David:
In terms of a competitive edge, this is one of the best matches of the round. Heather Watson’s 6-2 win-loss record this year makes her an in-form player, as does Kristyna Pliskova’s 4-2 record. Watson has made it clear that her focus for this season is the 2020 Olympics. This inadvertently takes the pressure off her in Slams, and that can help her play with freedom and abandon. Also, in order to make the Olympics she needs to improve her ranking; a good Slam showing will help her do that. Watson should have the edge in this one.
Prediction: Watson in 2
Jessica Pegula vs Taylor Townsend
Tracey:
Since the Citi Open in August 2019, Pegula has been in excellent form. She will win against all but the game’s elite. It will take some strategic composure to break down Taylor Townsend, but I expect she’ll do just that.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Yesh:
These are two talented youngsters, though neither has yet fully seen their desired results. Pegula is the better player right now, but Townsend’s serve-and-volley game can give players fits, and Townsend brings her best for the Majors.
Prediction: Townsend in 2
David:
Jessica Pegul is another player coming into this tournament in great form. A loss to Serena Williams in the final at Auckland takes her to 4-1 for the season. Townsend tends to blow hot and cold. Whilst Townsend will have her spells in this match, Pegula should prevail.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Kiki Bertens vs Irinia Camelia Begu
Tracey:
Bertens and Begu have split their previous four meetings. Yet, Begu’s wins are from 2012 and 2014. Bertens owns the two recent bouts. And, in 2017 it was a quick, straight sets win for Bertens. The same should be the case in Melbourne.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
Yesh:
Bertens is a much better player right now. She has really raised her game over the past few years and now the only players we can expect to beat her are the top players in the world. Begu is a good player, but she’s not elite.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
David:
A tight three sets victory over potential future Slam winner Dayana Yastremska en route to a quarterfinal loss to Naomi Osaka shows that Kiki Bertens is sharp for the first Slam of the year. A 2012 victory for Begu represents the only hard-court meeting and doesn’t factor in the undoubted improvement of the Dutch world #10. Begu failed to make it out of qualifying in Hobart and will struggle to peg Bertens back.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
