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 Naomi Osaka vs Caroline Garcia, Coco Gauff vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, 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
Sara Errani vs Storm Hunter
Jim:
Sara Errani has a huge amount of experience behind her and if the Italian is not the player she once was, her unorthodox approach can still make her a tough opponent to come up against. But Storm Hunter will have momentum with her after coming through the qualifying and, on home turf, should have enough to get past the veteran.
Prediction: Hunter in 3
Jordan:
Errani is far past her prime, but she deserves a lot of credit for being willing to scrap at Challenger and ITF events, which got her into the main draw having been knocked out in Grand Slam qualifying a lot in recent years. Hunter did have to come through qualifying, but I am backing her against Errani. On a hard court I think the Australian can overwhelm the Italian veteran with her playing style.
Prediction: Hunter in 2
Shane:
Hunter will have the backing of the home crowd and will be playing with confidence after working her way through three rounds of qualies. Errani, the former world No. 5, has not won double-digit matches on the Tour since 2017. This should be a back-and-forth encounter, but I like the Aussie to grind her way into the second round.
Prediction: Hunter in 3
Viktoriya Tomova vs Kayla Day
Jim:
Viktoriya Tomova played some very fine tennis last time out in Adelaide, before coming up short againts Emma Navarro. If she can maintain that level on the big stage at the Australian Open, expect her to get past Kayla Day without encountering too many problems.
Prediction: Tomova in 2
Jordan:
Tomova has made a positive start to the season. She reached the Hobart quarterfinal last week. This is Day’s first appearance in Melbourne in seven years, having qualified then as a teenager. She deserves credit for fighting through some difficulties to get back here, but I think Tomova’s tennis right now is on a better level.
Prediction: Tomova in 2
Shane:
Tomova was dominant at the ITF level last season but failed to translate that success to the WTA Tour. She will be looking to take advantage of her opportunity as the favorite over Day. The young American has a polished baseline game, but I just do not see her coming up with enough winners to get by Tomova.
Prediction: Tomova in 3
Mirra Andreeva vs Bernarda Pera
Jim:
2024 will be a test for Mirra Andreeva after her breakthrough campaign last season. But the Russian is attracting so much attention for a reason–she has all the tools to reach the very top. On her day, Bernarda Pera is a very fine player in her own right, but she’s looked a little lost of late.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Jordan:
This will be an interesting test for teenage sensation Andreeva. Pera’s favourite surface is clay, but she has played well at the Australian Open, including reaching the third round last year. Andreeva’s formidable baseline game should give her the edge on a hard court, but Pera will make her play a lot of balls, and she will need to earn it.
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
Shane:
Andreeva is the next superstar in tennis. The 16-year-old is incredibly crisp off both wings and can beat you in a multitude of ways. As long as she keeps her cool, Andreeva should be able to get by Pera.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Elina Svitolina vs Taylah Preston
Jim:
Taylah Preston will no doubt have the vocal backing of the Melbourne crowd, but it is hard to see that making enough of a difference against a player of Elina Svitolina’s quality. One to file under useful learning experience for the Australian.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Jordan:
Hopefully, 18-year-old Australian wild card Taylah Preston can manage her nerves against Svitolina. She has nothing to lose since the Ukrainian is such a heavy favourite. Svitolina played great in Auckland to start her season, where she was runner-up. Some of that form will be enough to ease through in this one.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Shane:
Svitolina always seems to play her best tennis on the biggest stages. If things break right, I could see her making a run deep into the second week in Melbourne. It starts with a straight-forward victory over Preston.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
