The first round of the Australian Open wraps up on Day 2. We get to see 32 women’s matches across the grounds in Melbourne, in the more wide-open half of the draw. As always, we here at LWOT share our thoughts on all the matches with you. We split the day’s matches between eight different articles. Our other articles feature Aryna Sabalenka vs Tereza Martincova, Sorana Cirstea vs Yulia Putintseva, Karolina Pliskova vs Xiyu Wang, Anett Kontaveit vs Julie Grabher, Daria Kasatkina vs Varvara Gracheva, Leylah Fernandez vs Alize Cornet, and Ons Jabeur vs Tamara Zidansek. Predicting this set of matches are Jim Smith, Damian Kust, and Jakub Bobro. Who do you think will win?
Australian Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Lucia Bronzetti vs Laura Siegemund
Jim:
Bronzetti played some good tennis at the United Cup, but also suffered some one-sided defeats and was again on the wrong end of a one-sided scoreline in her opener at the Hobart International. Expect the experienced Siegemund to have the edge.
Prediction: Siegemund in 3
Damian:
This looks pretty tight with Siegemund not quite where she would be without many injuries, but still able to produce incredible tennis on her day. Bronzetii doesn’t have that sort of upside, which can be an argument to pick the German here. It’s more on her racket and the quality of her performance.
Prediction: Siegemund in 3
Jakub:
Bronzetti played to her level at the United Cup, going 3-2 with wins over lower-ranked opponents. Siegemund enters Melbourne with a special ranking and a 1-3 record on the season. The German has a mediocre career record on hard courts and though her style could make her a tough out, I see Bronzetti winning this one.
Prediction: Bronzetti in 3
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Camila Giorgi
Jim:
It will be interesting to see what sort of level Pavlyuchenkova can perform at here after the better part of eight months off court with a knee injury. But it would be a surprise to see her get the better of Giorgi, particularly in conditions that should suit the Italian’s attacking style.
Prediction: Giorgi in 2
Damian:
Great matchup on paper, but it wouldn’t be a shock if the quality of tennis actually ended up underwhelming. Pavlyuchenkova has only played one match since her knee injury, Giorgi just one since the US Open. I’ll take the player who should be in a better rhythm, although just slightly.
Prediction: Giorgi in 3
Jakub:
A couple of big names in unusual situations. Pavlyuchenkova was out with a long-term injury for the first time in her career, playing her first match in eight months, and waiting for her first win since last year’s Australian Open. Meanwhile Giorgi has been caught using an allegedly fake covid vaccine card with Italian police now investigating. This is a very tough one to call but I will lead towards the Russian.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Linda Fruhvirtova vs Jaimee Fourlis
Jim:
Fruhvirtova clearly has a very bright future. The Czech reached the second round on her Grand Slam debut last season at the US Open and it would not be a surprise to see her reach (at least) the second round in Melbourne as well.
Prediction: Fruhvirtova in 2
Damian:
Fruhvirtova doesn’t do that much with the ball and mostly relies on her consistency. It should be enough here. Fourlis had a great rise through the ITF Tour last year, but whenever we see her on the main circuit, she’s usually been somewhat outmatched against better opposition.
Prediction: Fruhvirtova in 2
Jakub:
The older Fruhvirtova, still just 17, finished last year very strong with her first WTA title. The Czech lost after going a set up on Emma Raducanu in Auckland but I expect her to win here. Fourlis was competitive in her two losses to Marta Kostyuk and Ekaterina Alexandrova this season but Fruhvirtova should go through.
Prediction: Fruhvirtova in 2
Mayar Sherif vs Magda Linette
Jim:
Linette finished last season well, but made a poor start to 2023, losing to Alison Van Uytvanck in the first round in Hobart. But Sherif has also made an indifferent start to the year and the conditions in Melbourne probably suit her game better.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Damian:
Linette performed really well at the United Cup and she could take that confidence and do damage at the Australian Open, although she did just suffer an opening-round loss to Van Uytvanck in Hobart. This is a pretty comfortable draw as Sherif went 1-12 on hard courts in 2022, only getting some results on clay.
Prediction: Linette in 2
Jakub:
Sherif is one of the easiest players to face on hard, 1-12 on the surface last season. This year, the Egyptian got a win over Lizette Cabrera but lost her last two matches to Marta Kostyuk and Nuria Parrizas Diaz. Linette is 3-2 without any impressive wins on the year but should be beating Sherif here comfortably.
Prediction: Linette in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
