To help prepare for the Australian Open, there are multiple WTA and ATP tournaments at the Melbourne Summer Set this year. Normal warmups might be a bit tough because of the pandemic, but there are plenty of top players who will compete in Melbourne. In fact, the WTA has two Summer Set tournaments in Melbourne this week. This 32-player tournament is headlined by Naoma Osaka and other top players. Who do you think will win on Day 1? As always, we predict all the matches–with the other four in a separate article.
WTA Melborune Summer Set 1 Day 1 Predictions
Elena Gabriela Ruse vs Arina Rodionova
Ruse went on an incredible run last summer, winning 12 straight matches, including qualifiers. Unfortunately, she hasn’t shown that form since, and hard courts haven’t been as good to her as clay has. Rodionova should be favored, though she’s not consistent enough to fully trust.
Prediction: Rodionova in 2
Vera Zvonareva vs Alison Riske
Zvonareva is not quite at her top form (or particularly close to it recently), while Riske is constantly improving. The American used to be basically a grass court specialist, but she performed well on all surfaces last year, including a title in Linz late in the season. Expect Riske to move on without too much trouble.
Prediction: Riske in 2
Tereza Martincova vs Ana Konjuh
Neither of these women are particularly elite, but both are strong players when they’re playing well. It’s hard to know when either will bring their best game, but whoever can should be able to move on.
Prediction: Martincova in 3
Naomi Osaka vs Alize Cornet
Cornet is a good player, but there are very few women (in history) who can compete with Naomi Osaka on a hard court. Of course, Osaka had her struggles last year, both with her mental health and how that translated into on-court performance. After the offseason, it seems likely that Osaka will come out recharged and in-form. If she isn’t, though, Cornet is the type of player who can take advantage.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
