The second round of the Australian Open wraps up on Day 4. That means that there will be 16 women’s matches with competitors hoping to reach the third round. As always, we here at LWOT will share our thoughts on all the matches. We split up the matches between this and the other articles, featuring Garbine Muguruza vs Alize Cornet, Iga Swiatek vs Rebecca Peterson, and Aryna Sabalenka vs Xiyu Wang. Predicting today’s matches are Fraser Learmonth, Andy Watson, and Jim Smith.
Australian Open Day 4 Women’s Predictions
Ana Konjuh vs Danielle Collins
Fraser:
Danielle Collins recovered from a medical condition late last year to put together her best year on the tour to date. Konjuh is blazing along the comeback trial and will be tough to beat. However, Collins likes conditions in Australia and should be favoured to advance here
Prediction: Collins in 2
Andy:
The Croatian is making her way back to where her talent should have her. A great win in 3 over Shelby Rogers will have her primed for this battle. However, Collins is excellent in these early rounds usually and she looked in fine touch in the first round, too. I like the American to win this one.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Jim:
This feels like quite a big opportunity for both women and both have a chance to win this match. But Danielle Collins has age and experience on her side, as well as a good record at Melbourne Park. Expect her to be the player to reach the third round.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Simona Halep vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Fraser:
Halep is one of the best players on the women’s tour and is also in great form coming into this match with one title already this year. I can’t see this going any other way than a comfortable win for the Romanian here.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Andy:
It would be good for the Romanian to get through here to set up the possibility of a clash with Emma Raducanu. I think the level she displayed against Frech will be enough to get her through against a limited but determined Haddad Maia.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Jim:
Simona Halep was not back to her very best against Magdalena Frech, but the Romanian ran out a deserved 6-4 6-3 winner and she should have enough quality to get past Beatriz Haddad Maia about as comfortably.
Prediction: Halep in 2
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Kaia Kanepi vs Marie Bouzkova
Fraser:
Both of these players looked very good in their first round matches. Bouzkova is probably the better player of the two, but Kanepi has a long history of making deeper runs than expected at Grand Slams. Bouzkova’s talent should see her over the line, but this will be a close one.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Andy:
The power game of the Estonian proved to be too much for Kerber in the end. We could see the same story play out here. Bouzkova, though, is a real talent and could make a deep run here, I prefer her chances in this match.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Jim:
Kaia Kanepi is not done dealing out surprise wins it seems, with the veteran getting the better of Angelique Kerber in the first round. But she faces a player in good form and with impressive battling ability in Marie Bouzkova. Expect the Czech to have the edge.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Sam Stosur vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Fraser:
Pavlyuchenkova is the clear favourite on paper here. However, Stosur is a former Major champion and is also playing her last singles Grand Slam ever in front of a home crowd that will be behind her all the way. I expect the Aussie to cause one or two upsets here before she finishes her career.
Prediction: Stosur in 3
Andy:
It was great to see Stosur fight and get a moment in the Melbourne sun against Anderson. I suspect that might be the last win we will see from Stosur in the singles tournament at Melbourne. Pavlyuchenkova was dominant in her first match.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Jim:
Sam Stosur rolled back the years to beat Robin Anderson in three sets in the first round, but this is surely the end of the road for the Australian veteran. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is one of the top ten seeds at this tournament for a reason and should prove too strong for Stosur.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
