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 Emma Raducanu vs Sloane Stephens, Simona Halep vs Magdalena Frech, 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, Johnny Connell, and Jethro Broughton.
Australian Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Daria Saville vs Rebecca Peterson
Andrew:
The artist formerly known as Gavrilova has played ok so far this season & is certainly much better than her current ranking. Peterson beat Sabalenka recently but then lost to Madison Brengle straight after. I think a relative surprise could be on the cards.
Prediction: Saville in 3
Johnny:
This is an important tournament for Saville, she has been working towards this event for a long time. I think this is a good draw for the Aussie, it could have been much worse. Peterson is nothing special on a quick hard court, expect Saville to be too clever and too solid as she is aided by the Aussie crowd.
Prediction: Saville in 2
Jethro:
Daria Saville has been out since last year’s Australian Open, but played some good tennis on her return in Adelaide. Though Peterson is currently higher in the rankings, Saville has enjoyed a great career and has reached the Fourth Round here twice. I think Saville’s class and the home crowd will see her through, but it may be tough at times.
Prediction: Saville in 3
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Stefanie Voegele vs Daria Kasatkina
Andrew:
It has been nice to see some good form from Kasatkina recently. If she can get back to her best then she could ruffle some feathers in this tournament.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Johnny:
Kasatkina made a good start to the year in Sydney where she made the semifinals, she therefore arrives at the first major in a good place. The Russian shouldn’t have many issues in this matchup. Voegele doesn’t have the level to challenge Kasatkina if the Russian is anywhere near her best.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Jethro:
Kasatkina comes into this off the back of a strong semifinal showing in Sydney, which included a straight sets win over Garbine Muguruza. The 25th seed should be too strong for Vogele the qualifier, who hasn’t gone beyond the 3rd round of a Slam in her career. Kasatkina won’t have too much trouble here.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Leylah Fernandez vs Maddison Inglis
Andrew:
This should be a straightforward enough opener for the US Open finalist. Inglis is a good player and deserving of a wild card but Fernandez will be looking to back up her breakthrough Grand Slam.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
Johnny:
The quick hard courts at Melbourne Park suit the game of Leylah Fernandez very nicely. The conditions are similar to the US Open last year where Fernandez made her first major final. Inglis was thrashed by Rogers and Zidansek over the last few weeks, results that suggest she will be totally outclassed in this matchup.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
Jethro:
Leylah Fernandez will no doubt be looking to make a strong start here. The young Canadian dazzled in New York and another strong showing here will reaffirm how great a prospect she is. Maddison Inglis is yet to go beyond the first round here, and it’s unlikely this’ll be the time she does. Fernandez should be too good here.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
Anett Kontaveit vs Katerina Siniakova
Andrew:
A really high quality match for an opening round. I watched their quarterfinal match at Cleveland last summer and it was a blow for blow match. However, it seems as though the Estonian has taken a step ahead of Siniakova & has the edge on her in head to heads as well
Prediction: Kontaveit in 2
Johnny:
Kontaveit made a bright start to the season in Sydney, she was very unlucky not to reach the final as she was beaten by Krejcikova despite having seven match points. This isn’t the easiest first round matchup, Siniakova is a decent opponent, but I still expect Kontaveit to win quite comfortably. Kontaveit has won the last three matches between the pair, including a pair of wins towards the end of 2021, that will give her confidence here.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 2
Jethro:
Not an ideal first match for Kontaveit. The 6th seed finished 2021 brilliantly and will look to build on this. Siniakova is a great player, but hasn’t managed to progress beyond the 2nd round here. Kontaveit should win this one, but there may be some hiccups along the way.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
