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, Victoria Azarenka vs Camila Giorgi, Iga Swiatek vs Sofia Kenin, 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
Lin Zhu vs Oceane Dodin
Jack:
One of the most underrated players on tour, Lin Zhu has floated around the 30-40 mark of the rankings for the past year. Whilst she’s suffered some difficult recent losses, there has also been enough promise to suggest she’ll have the upper-hand against nothing short of a top 50 performance. Dodin doesn’t always deliver so I’m trusting the world #33 here.
Prediction: Zhu in 3
Glenys:
Both made a quarterfinal in the run up to the Australian Open, but the Chinese player is seeded (just). Neither has played each other before, so this will be a tough match for both. The first set will be vital, but close. Whoever wins that, takes the match
Prediction: Dodin in 3
Jordan:
Expect plenty of big-hitting in this first-round clash. Both players have very aggressive styles of play. A Dodin upset is not impossible if she finds her range from the baseline. But ultimately, Zhu is usually more consistently successful with the aggression that she uses.
Prediction: Zhu in 3
Elisabetta Cocciaretto vs Lulu Sun
Jack:
The loss from 6-0 4-0 up against Putintseva won’t sit particularly well with Cocciaretto. Any doubts may see the Italian start cold against the qualifier from Switzerland. I still think she comes through against Sun but it will be a scrap.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 3
Glenys:
The Italian and the Swiss have never met on the court before in singles. Cocciaretto will be the on paper favorite as higher ranked. However, Sun has come through qualifying and will be dangerous as she will have had more time on the courts.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 2
Jordan:
This is Sun’s first Grand Slam main draw match. It will be a difficult challenge to overcome her Italian opponent. Cocciaretto is not one of the top hard court players in the women’s game, but she puts a lot of balls in court and makes things awkward. I think that will be enough to get her past a player experiencing a Grand Slam main draw for the first time.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 2
Yafan Wang vs Sorana Cirstea
Jack:
Cirstea is there for the taking—five losses in a row, with her last coming in September, is certain to dent the confidence. Whilst Yafan Wang isn’t guaranteed to deliver, lack of momentum shouldn’t be underrated in professional tennis.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Glenys:
It’s been a while since these met on the court in singles. The head to head is level at one each. The Romanian is seeded here and has reached the fourth round before. Last year Cirstea lost early and will want to avoid that again this year. Wang has never been beyond the second round. Could be the match of the group this one
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Jordan:
This is Wang’s first appearance in the Australian Open main draw since 2021. Cirstea is one of the most consistently solid players on the WTA Tour. For instance, she has reached the third-round of a Grand slam on 19 occasions. Avoiding first-round upsets is something she is strong at, and I expect her to do it again here.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Jessica Pegula vs Rebecca Marino
Jack:
Marino could be a tough test for some opponents but I like this match-up for Pegula. The American won’t have any problems capitalising on slower second serves and has been such a consistent force in the latter stages of Slams the past couple of years.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Glenys:
American vs Canadian. Grudge match time. Neither has had great warm up events for this first slam of the year, but the American is seeded, whereas the Canadian has had to come through qualifying. Never discount a qualifier–they are unpredictable and dangerous, having had time to acclimate to the surface.
Prediction: Marino in 3
Jordan:
Hopefully, Pegula is fully healthy for her first-round match. She withdrew a few days ago from her semifinal in Adelaide due to illness. However, anything close to Pegula’s best will be enough here. Marino has won two Grand Slam main draw contests in her last 10 events, and the 33-year-old is unlikely to be able to stay the course with Pegula.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
