Day one at the Australian Open promises much, with 29 first-round matches on the slate and a number of star names set to be in action. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Kirsten Flipkens vs Venus Williams, Naomi Osaka vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Aryna Sabalenka vs Viktoria Kuzmova, Bianca Andreescu vs Mihaela Buzarnescu, Simona Halep vs Lizette Cabrera and Serena Williams vs Laura Siegemund. But who will advance the second round?
Australian Open Day One Predictions
Nina Stojanovic vs Irina-Camelia Begu
Jim: Irina-Camelia Begu made a fine start to her year at the Gippsland Trophy, reaching the quarterfinals, and also boasts a solid enough record in Melbourne, having reached the fourth round in 2015 and the second round on three other occasions. Against Nina Stojanovic, who has been playing indifferently of late, she looks to be in good position to return to the round of 64 for a fourth time.
Prediction: Begu in 3
Damian: Begu had a great run at the Gippsland Trophy, only losing to Naomi Osaka in the quarterfinals. This shouldn’t be too hard for her against a player in Stojanovic who hasn’t been doing well at all recently.
Prediction: Begu in 2
Yesh: Both of these players can challenge strong players on their day, but neither is quite elite. This will come down to who can find closer to their top form on Monday. It could definitely go either way.
Prediction: Stojanovic in 2
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Iga Swiatek vs Arantxa Rus
Jim: It will be interesting to see how Iga Swiatek copes with the pressure of playing as a Grand Slam champion at a Major for the first time. But there will be tougher tests for the Pole down the line than the out-of-form Arantxa Rus.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Damian: How will Swiatek react to the pressure of coming into the Australian Open as a Grand Slam champion? Last week, she showed some of her previous, erratic self but if she can play as well as she did down under last year, she should have no problem getting through this opener.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Yesh: Swiatek is coming off her maiden Slam title, and she’s even better on hard courts. She still isn’t consistent enough of always challenging for titles, but Rus doesn’t have the weapons or defense to challenge her here.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
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Greet Minnen vs Petra Kvitova
Jim: Petra Kvitova was not quite at her best last week, losing in the third round at the Yarra Valley Classic to Nadia Podoroska in a third-set tiebreak. But the Czech usually saves her best for the biggest stage and it is hard to see the relatively inexperienced Greet Minnen being the woman to stop her in Melbourne.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Damian: Kvitova’s fitness is under a slight question mark, but if she has rested up and can perform at the level she did at the Yarra Valley Classic this week, she should be safe here. It was a great effort to qualify from Greet Minnen, but it’s a huge step up in competition. One she doesn’t look ready to make.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Yesh: Kvitova is looking to once again re-join the ranks of the elite, having not won a Grand Slam in seven years, and she has a good draw to start here.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
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Misaki Doi vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Jim: Ajla Tomljanovic has found wins perilously hard to come by of late and the Australian has not typically thrived on home soil, with her best effort at Melbourne Park three second-round showings. But Misaki Doi’s record at the Australian Open is worse still and her form so far this season has been far from encouraging.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 3
Damian: The extent of Doi’s loss to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova was quite harsh and doesn’t bode well for her chances in this one. Tomljanovic’s powerful style should fit quite well with the conditions in Melbourne and leave the Japanese with few options. This could get tight though if the Australian doesn’t control her unforced errors.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 3
Yesh: Tomljanovic is looking to finally break through at the biggest tournaments. The Australian won’t struggle at home, even against a solid opponent.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 2
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