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, 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
Robin Anderson vs Samantha Stosur
Andrew:
This might be Stosur’s 83rd Australian Open main draw, but people have lost count. Either way, despite little evidence other than seven wins in her last ten matches, I expect Anderson to win this.
Prediction: Anderson in 2
Johnny:
Stosur couldn’t have asked for a better first round draw in her final singles appearance in Melbourne. It would be great to see Stosur win at least one match this tournament. With the crowd on her side, against an opponent that’s never played a main draw match at a Major, this is a great opportunity for Stosur.
Prediction: Stosur in 3
Jethro:
This could be a bit of a mismatch. Anderson predominantly plays on the ITF circuit and this is her first Grand Slam appearance. Stosur is still playing great tennis and she’ll have the home crowd well and truly behind her. This should be routine for the Aussie.
Prediction: Stosur in 2
Oceane Dodin vs Irina-Camelia Begu
Andrew:
Both players are in decent touch before this encounter. Begu is probably the slight favourite after impressive performances against Pegula, Paolini & Anisimova on these courts two weeks ago.
Prediction: Begu in 3
Johnny:
Begu is probably solid and experienced enough to handle Dodin’s erratic game. Begu showed good signs in her quarterfinal run in the Melbourne 250 warmup event and has generally played well at Melbourne Park is recent times.
Prediction: Begu in 2
Jethro:
I expect a fairly close match here. They’re similarly ranked, though Begu has been ranked higher before and has four career titles in comparison to Dodin’s one. Begu has performed better in Melbourne, reaching the 4th round in 2016 and Dodin has failed to go beyond the 2nd, but she’s still young. Expect Begu to edge this one.
Prediction: Begu in 3
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Liudmilla Samsonova vs Emina Bektas
Andrew:
Bektas sneaked through qualification with a 9-7 tiebreak victory over Christina McHale. She is match tough but Samsonova is a better player and looked in good touch herself in Adelaide.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Johnny:
Bektas did well to come through the qualifying draw but will probably be outclassed by Samsonova. Bektas has never won a Grand Slam main draw match, whilst Samsonova had decent Grand Slam experience after a run to the fourth round at Wimbledon last year.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Jethro:
Samosonova is the favourite here. The 23 year-old is at her highest ever ranking at 37 and she will no doubt move up the rankings this year. Bektas put on a strong qualifying run but it’s hard not to back the Russian for this one.
Prediction: Samosonova in 2
Emma Raducanu vs Sloane Stephens
Andrew:
Two players that I don’t really trust at the start of this season. Stephens has been recently married and not played a game in 2022 yet whilst Raducanu probably wishes she hadn’t. I haven’t seen anything from Raducanu to make me believe she is at the level required right now whereas Stephens often shows up at Grand Slams.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Johnny:
Raducanu made a disastrous start to the season in Sydney where she was humiliated by Rybakina. The pressure is on the Brit to prove her US Open run wasn’t a fluke, pressure I’m not sure she can handle. Stephens usually peaks at majors and should be solid enough to expose the holes in Raducanu’s game.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Jethro:
Huge first round clash here. Despite her fantastic US Open title run, Raducanu is still vastly inexperienced on the WTA Tour and this isn’t a match she needs first up. Stephens hasn’t played since Indian Wells but she’s the more experienced of the 2 and will look to make an impression from the get-go. This should be a good contest.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
