We wrap up the first round of the 2022 Australian Open on Day 2. That means there are 32 women’s matches scheduled. As always, we here at LWOT are going to offer you our thoughts on all the matches. We split up the matches into articles with four matches each, so that means eight articles. The other seven articles feature Anett Kontaveit vs Katerina Siniakova, Emma Raducanu vs Sloane Stephens, Iga Swiatek vs Harriet Dart, Angelique Kerber vs Kaia Kanepi, Aryna Sabalenka vs Storm Sanders, Garbine Muguruza vs Clara Burel, and Petra Kvitova vs Sorana Cirstea. Predicting this set of matches are Andrew Watson, Fraser Learmonth, and Yesh Ginsburg.
Australian Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Viktorija Golubic vs Shuai Zhang
Andrew:
The Swiss showed some good improvement in 2021 whilst the Chinese is perhaps past her peak in terms of her best tennis. I think that swap of rankings may play out on the court here.
Prediction: Golubic in 3
Fraser:
Shuai Zhang hasn’t been at her best for quite some time now. By contrast, Golubic enjoyed a career resurgence last year and will be hoping to build on that here. The Swiss should have enough to see her through this match on what we’ve seen from her so far this year.
Prediction: Golubic in 2
Yesh:
Golubic had an impressive run for part of 2021. And while she’s not quite at that level consistently now, she should still have more than enough to get through this match. If she doesn’t play her best, though, the Chinese woman is more than solid enough to take advantage.
Prediction: Golubic in 3
Heather Watson vs Mayar Sherif
Andrew:
Neither player is in particularly great form with Watson stuck in her perpetual “not enough for the WTA main tour but too good for the lower tier” position. The Brit has won only two of her last ten, but Sherif was smashed 6-2 6-0 by Ann Li on these courts two weeks ago. This should give a huge confidence boost to someone, I’m leaning towards Watson by virtue of her superior hold/serve metrics on hard court.
Prediction: Watson in 3
Fraser:
Heather Watson hasn’t been at her best over the past twelve months. That makes her vulnerable here and Sherif is a solid player who enjoyed a good campaign last year. I expect Sherif to cause the upset here, although this one should go the distance.
Prediction: Sherif in 3
Yesh:
Sherif had an impressive and historic performance last year at this event. I expect the Egyptian to try to replicate that, and she got a beatable opponent to start.
Prediction: Sherif in 2
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Hailey Baptiste vs Caroline Garcia
Andrew:
Two players at opposite ends of their career. Baptiste is an all surface player who is able to construct her rallies well. When I have watched Garcia recently she still displays flashes of her brilliance but can’t seem to find it consistently. I still think she might have enough to get past the youngster here though.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Fraser:
Baptiste has picked up some good wins so far this year and showed signs of some very good tennis to beat. A Garcia at her best wins this easily, but we haven’t seen her anywhere near that for quite some time now. The American looks good for an upset here.
Prediction: Baptise in 2
Yesh:
Baptiste is a future American star and Garcia is really struggling right now. I think the young American should be able to advance here.
Prediction: Baptiste in 2
Simona Halep vs Magdalena Frech
Andrew:
The Romanian couldn’t come into the tournament in better form, having won a warm up event. Frech is a perennial middle-ranking player who shouldn’t have the weapons to get the better of Halep.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Fraser:
Easy call here. Halep is the superior player and is in great form heading into this tournament. I think she’s a dark horse to win it and will certainly win here without too much trouble.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Yesh:
Halep seems healthy and in fine form, which is dangerous for everyone else in the field. I don’t expect this one to be competitive.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
