Day 2 at the Australian Open features Jelena Ostapenko among the big names in action. As ever, we here at LWOT are making our picks for every match on the slate, including Garbine Muguruza vs Margarita Gasparyan, Sofia Kenin vs Maddison Inglis, Ash Barty vs Danka Kovinic, Karolina Pliskova vs Jasmine Paolini, Belinda Bencic vs Lauren Davis, Victoria Azarenka vs Jessica Pegula and Kristina Mladenovic vs Maria Sakkari. Our panel of Yesh Ginsburg and Steen Kirby offer their predictions.
Leylah Fernandez vs Elise Mertens
Yesh: Fernandez is a future star, though her rise has been a bit slower than expect. Mertens is a current potential dark horse contender, though, so she should be able to survive. Mertens in 3
Steen: The champion of one of the warm up tournaments, Mertens current form, presuming fitness, should be enough to ensure she reaches the second round. Mertens in 2
Jennifer Brady vs Aliona Bolsova
Yesh: Jennifer Brady has a powerful game, and the American can win Majors if she puts it all together for two weeks. I expect her to be in good form here. Brady in 2
Steen: Brady was good in one of the warm up tournaments, Bolsova is a ways off from a top tier level. This should be routine. Brady in 2
Martina Trevisan vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Yesh: Alexandrova is the better player here, and she’s somewhat more consistent, though this could go either way. I’m not confident in this match at all. Alexandrova in 3
Steen: Trevisan struggles off of clay, Alexandrova already boasts wins against Swiatek and Halep this month and should continue her run of form. The Russian is a potential tournament dark horse. Alexandrova in 2
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Karolina Muchova vs Jelena Ostapenko
Yesh: This is going to be the best match of Round 1. Muchova is rapidly rising to a contender, while Ostapenko has limitless talent but hasn’t been able to put it all together since her French Open triumph back in 2017. Muchova in 3
Steen: A big matchup, the former top 5 Ostapenko is actually an underdog here after some pedestrian seasons on tour. Muchova has a slight advantage here but it’s going to be a battle. Muchova in 3
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