We start the second round of the Australian Open on Day 3. Here at LWOT, we will share our thoughts on every match for you. The 16 matches on Wednesday are split between four articles. In addition to this article, the other three feature Ashleigh Barty vs Lucia Bronzetti, Paula Badosa vs Martina Trevisan, and Naomi Osaka vs Madison Brengle. Predicting this set are Jim Smith, Yesh Ginsburg, and Johnny Connell.
Australian Open Day 3 Predictions
Veronika Kudermetova vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse
Jim:
Veronika Kudermetova made impressive strides last year and the challenge for the Russian will be backing that up this season. But she has the game to do so and got her Australian Open campaign off to a good start against Claire Liu. Elena-Gabriela Ruse should provide for a tougher test, but don’t expect the Russian to be unduly troubled.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Yesh:
Kudermetova has the potential to be one of the top players in the world. The Russian looked good in the last round, too. Maybe on clay, Ruse could make a fight of this. But I don’t see it happening on these courts.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Johnny:
Kudermetova has made a solid start to the season. The Russian reached the final of the Melbourne 250 leadup event and looked comfortable enough in her Australian Open opener. The quick hard courts at Melbourne Park suit Kudermetova’s game perfectly. Expect her to continue her winning ways against Ruse, Kudermetova is too strong.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Victoria Azarenka vs Jil Teichmann
Jim:
Victoria Azarenka proved far too strong for Panna Udvardy in a first-round mis-match. But Jil Teichmann represents a fairly significant step up in the quality of opponent, especially if the Swiss plays anything like her best tennis (not always a given). Still, Azarenka is a two-time champion in Melbourne for a reason.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Yesh:
Teichmann is a good player in pretty good form right now. Azarenka, though, is still elite, and when she brings her top game she’s unplayable. I don’t think Teichmann can put up too much resistance here.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Johnny:
Azarenka is overdue for a deep run at Melbourne Park. The two-time former champions first round win over Udvardy was her first win at the Australian Open since a quarterfinal appearance in 2016. Teichmann looms as a far bigger threat in the second round, the Swiss player reached new heights in 2021 and is an awkward opponent when she’s on her game. Azarenka’s strong backhand makes her a difficult matchup for lefties, expect Azarenka to pull through this tough test.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
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Marta Kostyuk vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Jim:
This looks like an interesting challenge for Marta Kostyuk up against a player who has made herself one of the WTA Tour’s canniest operators. Kostyuk stands to gain the benefit of her problem-solving skills being given a good work out, but expect it to be Sara Sorribes Tormo who reaches the third round.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Yesh:
This should be a fun match between two players with drastically different styles. Sorribes Tormo is more crafty and consistent, but Kostyuk has a raw power that can beat anyone. At this stage in Kostyuk’s career, I’ll take craftiness over power.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Johnny:
A matchup of contrasting styles. The aggressive game of Kostyuk against the consistency and versatility of Sorribes Tormo. I’d usually take the Spaniard in this matchup. However, I don’t think she’s in the groove right now and the quick conditions definitely favor Kostyuk. If Kostyuk is able to execute her game she will be too strong; if she doesn’t execute then the Spaniard will be there to pick up the scraps.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
Belinda Bencic vs Amanda Anisimova
Jim:
This is some second-round matchup, if an unfortunate one for the players involved. But although the recent signs for Amanda Anisimova have been promising, this looks like being a challenge too far too soon, particularly after a first-round performance against Arianne Hartono that was not entirely convincing.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Yesh:
I’m a big fan of Anisimova’s talent and game. The young American will be a massive force on tour someday, and soon. She’s been struggling and unable to find her top form for a few years now, but is slowly improving again. It probably won’t be enough against a Bencic in solid form, but it should be a great match.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Johnny:
One of the toughest second round matches to predict. I’ll give the edge to Bencic here. Anisimova looked wobbly in her opening round win and is still the more unreliable of the two. Bencic is a great counter-puncher, her ability to absorb and redirect Anisimova’s pace could be problematic for the American. Anisimova is the more likely to drop her level at some stage in this matchup.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
