With a number of the world’s best set to take to the courts at Melbourne Park, there should be no shortage of excitement on day one at the Australian Open. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Naomi Osaka vs Maria Osorio, Ash Barty vs Lesia Tsurenko, Barbora Krejcikova vs Andrea Petkovic, Belinda Bencic vs Kristina Mladenovic, Ons Jabeur vs Nuria Parrizas Diaz, Sofia Kenin vs Madison Keys and Victoria Azarenka vs Panna Udvardy. But who will reach the second round?
Australian Open Day 1 Predictions
Coco Gauff vs Wang Qiang
Jim: It’s hard to remember sometimes that Coco Gauff has not yet celebrated her 18th birthday. She broke through so early on that she already has far more experience than most players her age. 2021 didn’t go quite to plan for the American, but expect her to improve in 2022 starting with a win here.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Yesh: Gauff is ready to once again show the world why she’s the future of tennis. She’s going to be winning Slams, and soon.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Fraser: This should be a routine win for Gauff. The young American is fresh off a semifinal appearance in Adelaide 2 and will take great confidence from her performances there. Qiang Wang has no real form to speak of and looks unlikely to trouble Gauff here.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
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Maria Sakkari vs Tatiana Maria
Jim: It’ll be interesting to see how Maria Sakkari deals with the pressure of expectation after her breakthrough in 2021. But everything about the Greek’s career so far suggests that she’ll be fine, and this is a match she would back herself to win either way.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Yesh: This is one of those fun matchups where one player’s last name is the same as the other one’s first. That’s not good news for Maria (last name).
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
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Fraser: Sakkari was super in 2021 and I expect more of the same from the Greek this year. She is a dark horse to win the tournament this year despite an early exit in 2021. Expect her to start making amends for that performance with a statement win here.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
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Elena-Gabriela Ruse vs Jasmine Paolini
Jim: Jasmine Paolini has been slow but steady progress on hard courts, but the Italian remains far more at home on the clay. Elena-Gabriela Ruse prefers the red dirt too, but she has been winning matches in Australia so far this season and should have the edge here.
Prediction: Ruse in 3
Yesh: Paolini has impressed in many matches last year, while Ruse was extra-impressive in some but underwhelming in others. In the battle of talent vs consistency I usually go with talent, but not this time.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Fraser: Paolini has a bigger game and goes for her shots more often than her opponent. That is a massive plus on the quick courts of Melbourne. The diminutive Italian should have too much firepower for her opponent here.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
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Madison Brengle vs Dayana Yastremska
Jim: There is no doubting Dayana Yastremska’s talent, but the Ukrainian has found it hard to bounce back after missing the start of the 2021 season after an overturned ban for doping. But you have to think that talent will eventually assert itself and this isn’t the toughest first-round draw she could have received.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
Yesh: Yastremska hasn’t found her form since her return from her overturned doping ban. Still, her potential is winning Slams. She’ll find that form again, eventually.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Fraser: Brengle has started the year well with some strong showings in Australia. However, Yastremska looks to be getting back to something resembling her best. If that trend continues the Ukrainian is a real threat to anyone she faces. She should certainly have enough to be able to advance here.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
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