The first round of the women’s singles at the Australian Open concludes on Day 3 of the event. The final 20 matches of the round should provide blockbuster entertainment, including multiple meetings of former Slam champions. As always, we at LWOT share our thoughts on all the matches. We split the 20 matches between this and four other articles. Those articles feature Elena Rybakina vs Karolina Pliskova, Iga Swiatek vs Sofia Kenin, Jessica Pegula vs Rebecca Marino, and Emma Raducanu vs Shelby Rogers. Predicting these matches are Jack Edward, Glenys Furness, and Jordan Reynolds. Who do you think will advance?
Australian Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Jelena Ostapenko vs Kimberly Birrell
Jack:
Trust in Ostapenko at your peril. I’ll back a slow start for the champion in Adelaide but I still think her highs are just a touch too high for Birrell to handle.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Glenys:
Ostapenko comes into the first Grand Slam of the year on the back of a title in Adelaide. The Latvian will be riding high and full of confidence on the Australian hard courts. Birrell has played qualifying in Hobart, but failed to make the main draw. The Latvian should have little trouble with this Australian.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Jordan:
Ostapenko comes into this having won the title in Adelaide, and some have even tipped her as a dark horse at the Australian Open. Yet, that makes me more nervous for the Latvian, who has been plagued by some huge inconsistency in the last few years. I will still back her to beat the home favorite Birrell, but it may be closer then some expect.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Danielle Collins vs Angelique Kerber
Jack:
Whilst Kerber has clearly done very well to find the level she has coming back from injury, she was exposed against those that could hit through her in Sydney. Collins probably won’t deliver the cleanest performance but her backhand should be a good match-up against the lefty veteran.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Glenys:
Danielle Collins has played a couple of tournaments in the build up, but made early exits. Kerber on the other hand has not yet played any event this season. The German is probably heading towards her final few years on the circuit. However, Kerber will do everything she can to try and win a fourth slam title before that happens.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Jordan:
One of the matches of the opening round on the men’s or women’s side. Collins showed some positive signs of recapturing her old form in the second half of last season, but she is still inconsistent. It is still a very tough challenge for former champion Kerber in her second tournament back from maternity leave. I feel the power of Collins’ shots might be too much for Kerber to handle at this stage of her comeback.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Clara Tauson vs Greet Minnen
Jack:
Clara Tauson is one of the best prospects on tour—if she can rediscover her form after injury. The Dane is a fair way off her best tennis so, although Greet Minnen has suffered a few recent losses, she should have the experience to draw the worst out of her opponent.
Prediction: Minnen in 3
Glenys:
The Dane made the semifinal at Canberra at the very start of the season but has not played an official event since then. Minnen played both Hobart & Brisbane. The latter being the better event, as although an early exit in singles, the Belgian made the doubles final with Brit Heather Watson. Tauson leads the head to head but they have only played once and it was close.
Prediction: Tauson in 3
Jordan:
Minnen battled herself into the Top 50 at the end of last season after making a lot of progress. By contrast, Tauson has slipped far below her best ranking after some struggles. The Dane did reach the third round in Melbourne in 2022 though. But Minnen is the more assured overall player at the moment, and I think she will edge the contest in a third set.
Prediction: Minnen in 3
Victoria Azarenka vs Camila Giorgi
Jack:
Last year’s semifinalist shouldn’t go under the radar. Whilst 2023 wasn’t the best year for her, that result suggests just how comfortable she is in Melbourne. Giorgi has hit a bit of a rough patch so I trust the Belarusian to come through this one.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Glenys:
The Belarussian made the semifinal in Brisbane to start the season off. While Giorgi did not make the main draw in Adelaide. The pair have played each other four times, with Azarenka taking the last two. The most recent last season in Miami. Azarenka is seeded, but this will not be straightforward.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Jordan:
At her best, Giorgi could have presented an awkward challenge to the two-time champion in Melbourne. But that is not where the Italian is at right now. By contrast, Azarenka is still playing really good tennis despite her age. Last year’s semifinalist to triumph relatively easily at her favorite Grand Slam.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
