The second round starts on Day 3 of the Australian Open. We’ll see 16 women’s matches on Wednesday in Melbourne to determine who will move on to the next round. As always, we here at LastWordOnTennis will share our writers’ predictions on all the matches. We split the day’s matches between four articles. Our other three articles today feature Iga Swiatek vs Camila Osorio, Jessica Pegula vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich, and Danielle Collins vs Karolina Muchova. Predicting this set of matches are Jim Smith, Nurein Ahmed, and Jakub Bobro.
Australian Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Barbora Krejcikova vs Clara Burel
Jim:
Long rallies may well be the order of the day here. But it is hard to see Burel’s path to victory. Krejcikova may have struggled somewhat to back up her French Open triumph, but she remains a very accomplished player and should have enough power and variety to get past the Frenchwoman comfortably enough.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Nurein:
Calling Krejcikova’s matches is proving to be quite a head-scratcher. But as long as the Czech plays with that high-intensity game she displayed in the closing weeks of 2022, she will be fine. Burel is not a pushover. I think she’s got a forehand that is extremely explosive when given time and space, but the Czech won’t give her that.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Jakub:
Krejcikova allowed her 16-year-old compatriot, qualifier Sara Bejlek, only four games in her opener. After a tough qualifying campaign, Burel defeated wild card Talia Gibson in straight sets. Krejcikova made the quarterfinals here last year and, if she maintains this level, very well could reach that stage again.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Elena Rybakina vs Kaja Juvan
Jim:
Rybakina had to endure the indignity of being placed on Court 13 for her first-round match and may well miss out on a slot on one of the show courts again. Fortunately for the Kazakh, if she plays anything like her best tennis she should still be around in the third round.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Nurein:
Rybakina was expected to win her opener, but it wasn’t a stroll as many envisaged despite defeating Cocciaretto in straight sets. But that should give her bags of confidence to get through this match against Juvan, who is hardly in great form coming to the Australian Open.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Jakub:
After going 1-2 in warm-ups, Rybakina got off to a winning start in Melbourne, taking out Hobart finalist Elisabetta Cocciareto. Juvan should not cause too many problems for the Wimbledon champion.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Olivia Gadecki vs Marta Kostyuk
Jim:
Gadecki was excellent in the first round and this looks like a great chance to reach the third round. That said Kostyuk should not be underestimated. The Ukrainian was excellent in the first round, beating fellow young gun Amanda Anisimova 6-3 6-4, and if she can replicate that level, expect her to have just about too much for Gadecki.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
Nurein:
Gadecki scored her maiden main draw win against Polina Kudermetova, the younger sister of top 10 player Veronika. But she doesn’t have a great record against the WTA’s Top 100. And Kostyuk will be a real step up in quality here.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Jakub:
Kostyuk took out 28th seed Amanda Anisimova in straight sets, now likely to defend her third round here from last year. Gadecki took out Polina Kudermetova but this should be a step up in quality.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Coco Gauff vs Emma Raducanu
Jim:
This is some match for the second round at a Major, even if neither player’s career is exactly where they would like it to be. For Gauff, the inevitable ascent to Grand Slam glory is looking more and more “evitable” with her forehand becoming a weakness (though she is still only 18), whilst Raducanu has struggled with form and fitness since that remarkable fortnight in New York. The Brit is probably the better player, but Gauff is in much better shape right now. That should be the difference.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Nurein:
This for me is the match of the day without a shadow of doubt. Gauff is living up to her vast teenage potential and this would be a massive win for her confidence. We were meant to believe Raducanu won’t be fit for the Australian Open. But she didn’t have an issue with her ankle. Maybe Tamara Korpatsch didn’t move her around the court as she would have liked. However, expect Gauff to outmuscle the Brit.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Jakub:
One of the most exciting matches of the day. Despite very different lead-ups with Gauff winning her third title in Auckland while Raducanu was trying to recover from an injury, both players dropped just five games in their opener. This match could go either way but I see Gauff winning here.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
