The 2023 Australian Open begins with Day 1 of Main Draw play on Monday (Sunday evening in the United States). The day will see a whopping 32 women’s matches, and–as always–we here at LastWordOnTennis will share our thoughts on all of them for you. Who do you think will win? Predicting this set of matches are Yesh Ginsburg, Shane Black, and Manuel Traquete. We split the rest of the day’s matches between seven other articles. They feature Iga Swiatek vs Jule Niemeier, Madison Keys vs Anna Blinkova, Jelena Ostapenko vs Dayana Yastremska, Coco Gauff vs Katerina Siniakova, Elena Rybakina vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Emma Raducanu vs Tamara Korpatsch, and Amanda Anisimova vs Marta Kostyuk.
Australian Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Barbora Krejcikova vs Sara Bejlek
Yesh:
Barbora Krejcikova is a former French Open champion who couldn’t quite find her 2021 level in 2022. Either way, her level is high enough to easily get through this match.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Shane:
Barbora Krejcikova ended her 2022 season in fine form, winning back-to-back titles in Tallinn and Ostrava. 16-year-old Sara Bejlek looked impressive in qualifying, but I do not think she is quite ready to take down a top-25 player.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Manuel:
On paper Krejcikova should breeze past this first round. The 2021 French Open champion had a somewhat disappointing 2022 season but will be looking to bounce back strongly in 2023.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Bernarda Pera vs Mokuya Uchijama
Yesh:
Pera is one to watch out for in 2023. I will be very surprised if she slips up at the first hurdle of her season.
Prediction: Pera in 2
Shane:
Bernarda Pera reached the quarterfinals in Hobart and is playing some quality tennis. That said, 21-year-old Moyuka Uchijima is a very intriguing prospect who could give Pera fits. In a back-and-forth match, I believe Pera’s experience will be the difference.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Manuel:
For a non-seeded player, Pera got a very nice draw here and she should be able to come through even if Uchijima will fancy the chances of an upset.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Anna Bondar vs Ana Bogdan
Yesh:
Bogdan has the higher potential and the better current form in this battle of the An(n)as. She should win this as long as she plays well.
Prediction: Bogdan in 2
Shane:
Anna Bondar and Ana Bogdan will square off for the second time, with Bogdan winning the first meeting in three sets. Bogdan had a strong second half of the 2022 season, holding a 21-8 record since July 25. I like the way her game is trending and believe the fast-moving hard courts help her.
Prediction: Bogdan in 3
Manuel:
Bodgan prevailed in a tight three-setter in their only previous meeting and history could well repeat itself here as both players have a similar level but Bodgan seems to be just ever so slightly above her opponent.
Prediction: Bogdan in 3
Victoria Azarenka vs Sofia Kenin
Yesh:
It’s not often we see a matchup of former champions in the first round of a Major, so we’re in for a treat here. Kenin hasn’t been the same, at all, since her astounding 2020 season. Azarenka, on the other hand, hasn’t been the same since she returned from having her child. Still, she’s playing at a much higher and more consistent level than Kenin at the moment.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Shane:
2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin takes on 2012 and 13 Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka in one of the most anticipated matches of the first round. The two have split their only two meetings. After winning just ten matches in 2022, Kenin made the semifinals in Hobart last week. That said, I believe Azarenka’s consistency and power will be too much to handle.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Manuel:
This is a battle of two former Slam champions and two former Australian Open champions far from their best. Azarenka is trying to get back into contention, while Kenin is making her way back after injury. At this point, Azarenka should be able to prevail.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
