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, Simona Halep vs Magdalena Frech, Iga Swiatek vs Harriet Dart, Angelique Kerber vs Kaia Kanepi, Aryna Sabalenka vs Storm Sanders, Emma Raducanu vs Sloane Stephens, and Petra Kvitova vs Sorana Cirstea. Predicting this set of matches are Andrew Watson, Johnny Connell, and Jim Smith.
Australian Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Danielle Collins vs Caroline Dolehide
Andrew:
Collins will win this. She has the tenacity and skill to go with it. Expect a decent run from the American again here.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Johnny:
It’s hard to know where Collins is at right now given she hasn’t played a match since Linz last year. Dolehide on the other hand is used to the conditions having come through qualifying. Usually, Collins would be the clear pick here. However, their contrasting leadups make this match tougher to predict. I’ll give Collins the benefit of the doubt; she usually loves playing in Melbourne as a former semifinalist.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Jim:
Danielle Collins enjoyed a breakthrough moment in Melbourne, and the American has shown a few times that her semifinal showing wasn’t a fluke. She’s not a threat for the title, and may well not even make the second week, but she should prove too much for Caroline Dolehide to handle.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Anna Bondar vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Andrew:
The Russian is at the stage of her career now where she should be focusing on these Grand Slam events. Her form since reaching the Roland Garros final has been poor but this is a winnable start.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Johnny:
Bondar is playing some of the best tennis of her life at the moment. The Hungarian ended 2021 with a strong run in South America at the ITF and WTA 125K level, she also started 2022 off well with some good wins over Kung, Hontama, and Siniakova in the Melbourne 250 leadup event. Pavlyuchenkova hasn’t played a match this year and is coming off a limited preparation. This has upset potential, but I’ll still stick with Pavlyuchenkova given her vastly greater experience and better game for the quick courts.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Jim:
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has found the going a little tough since her memorable run to the French Open final last season, but she’s too good, and too experienced, for those struggles to persist indefinitely. Particularly as it is hardly even a blip on the radar in the world of the WTA’s strugglers.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Marie Bouzkova vs Rebecca Marino
Andrew:
The Czech could be a little wild card for the tournament. It won’t be easy against a qualifier in Marino who has a lot of experience as well. But the Bouzkova game is well suited to these conditions and she will know her section of the draw is pretty open.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 2
Johnny:
Marino was a surprise qualifier, and her run in Melbourne is unlikely to extend much further. Bouzkova’s solid game should be problematic for Marino, though. Once Bouzkova gets into the rallies she will be the big favorite. I don’t think Marino can produce a high enough level to consistently hit through the Czech.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 2
Jim:
There’s a good player in Marie Bouzkova, but the Czech needs to find some more consistency at this point in her career. This, with all due respect to Rebecca Marino who did play in the well qualifying, is a winnable match for Bouzkova. She needs to take advantage of it.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
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Garbine Muguruza vs Clara Burel
Andrew:
A good draw for the Spaniard. She will be looking to continue the momentum over from last year’s WTA Finals win with a good run here. She really has the talent to win a hard court Grand Slam and it could be this one.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Johnny:
Muguruza looms as one of the genuine chances to go all the way in Melbourne. Burel is very inexperienced at this level but is a talented young player. This won’t be the easiest match for the Spaniard but she will ultimately be too strong for the Frenchwoman.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Jim:
Garbine Muguruza didn’t really get going in Sydney, but facing Daria Kasatkina was always likely to be a tough second assignment. Clara Burel should prove less taxing, for all the Frenchwoman’s talent.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
