The first round of women’s action continues on Day 2 of the Australian Open, with 28 matchups in store. As always, we here at LastWordOnTennis share our thoughts on the matches with you. We split the matches between this and six other articles. The others feature Coco Gauff vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, Elina Svitolina vs Taylah Preston, Ons Jabeur vs Yulia Starodubtsewa, Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Linda Fruhvirtova, Paula Badosa vs Taylor Townsend, and Donna Vekic vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Predicting these matches are Jim Smith, Jordan Reynolds, and Shane Black. Who do you think will win?
Australian Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Linda Noskova vs Marie Bouzkova
Jim:
This all-Czech clash promises to be an interesting match. Marie Bouzkova has to be the favourite coming into the match, but Linda Noskova has impressed so far this season and clearly has a bright future ahead of her. Bouzkova’s experience should just about give her the edge, but there won’t be much in it.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Jordan:
The 19-year-old, Noskova, showed her ability in Australian conditions by reaching the final of Adelaide last year. But this is her first appearance in the Australian Open main draw. She will need to be aggressive against her Czech compatriot, since Bouzkova is great at extending the rallies. I think Bouzkova will edge it overall.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Shane:
Noskova and Bouzkova meet in a first round battle of the Czechs. Noskova is coming a run to the Brisbane semifinals and is feeling very confident in her game. The No. 31 seed is always a tough out, but I give a slight edge to the 20-year-old Noskova in this battle.
Prediction: Noskova in 3
Elise Mertens vs Mayar Sherif
Jim:
Much of Mayar Sherif’s success has come on the clay, but she shouldn’t be pigeonholed just as a clay-courter and with a better draw might well have one a couple of matches down under. Elise Mertens, however, has a very solid record in Melbourne and should have too much for the Egyptian.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Jordan:
Mertens lost a tight final in Hobart heading into this, but will still be feeling good after the tennis she played there. Sherif is more comfortable on clay. It is difficult to see how she overcomes the all-round solid game of Mertens on a hard court.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Shane:
Mertens is 10-2 in her last 12 matches dating back to 2023. Sherif has only won three matches since August. I know it is a new year, but the forms Mertens brings to Melbourne will make her a very tough out.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Anna Kalinskaya vs Katie Volynets
Jim:
Katie Volynets impressed in her battling run through the qualifying, the question for the American now is how much she has left in the tank after rallying past Julia Riera in a three-set thriller in the third round. With Anna Kalinskaya having looked sharp so far this season, whatever Volynets has left may well not be enough.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Jordan:
Kalinskaya has started the season well, besting Barbora Krejcikova, and she then came very close to doing the same against Daria Kasatkina. Volynets is the lower ranked, and narrowly came through qualifying to reach the main draw. She did make the third round in Melbourne last year, but I do not feel that Kalinskaya will allow her to repeat that.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Shane:
Kalinskaya is 13-3 dating back to late October. She already has a win over Krejcikova this year and is playing with supreme confidence. Volynets will not be able to hang in with the baseline power of the Russian.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Naomi Osaka vs Caroline Garcia
Jim:
This is some first-round match, albeit it’s also a nightmare draw for both. Naomi Osaka showed flashes of her quality in Brisbane on her return to action, but was ultimately unable to press home her advantage against Karolina Pliskova. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see a similar outcome here.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Jordan:
This is the match of the first round on the men’s or women’s side for me. Both these players are superb to watch. Can Osaka reach the level needed to beat Garcia so early into her comeback? It could be tough, although Garcia’s level can fluctuate at times. Overall, I’ll back the Frenchwoman but the 2021 Australian Open champion winning would not be a surprise either.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Shane:
In her first event since Sept 2022, Osaka lost a tight second-round match to Pliskova. The former world No. 1 is incredibly dangerous and is actually the slight favorite over the No. 16 seed. Garcia has had some inconsistencies, but she is still a Top 20 player in the world. I like the Frenchwoman to find the finish line in a back-and-forth battle.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
