Eight first-round matches are scheduled on Day 1 of the WTA ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand. This article features former champion, Sloane Stephens who will face her compatriot Ann Li. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for Day 1–including Naomi Osaka vs Lina Glushko. But which players will advance?
WTA Auckland Day 1 Predictions
Lucrezia Stefanini vs Clara Tauson
Head-to-Head: First meeting
26-year-old Lucrezia Stefanini had four Tour-level wins in the 2024 season from 10 matches. She will look to get more match wins this year to break inside the top 100. Stefanini did well to make it out of the qualifiers without losing a set. Clara Tauson is the #5 seed this week and has a good record on hard courts. Tauson is playing here for the first time and I like her chances to go deep.
Prediction: Tauson in 2
Lulu Sun vs Rebecca Marino
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Lulu Sun had a wonderful 2024 season where she made people recognize her talent. A great run in Wimbledon and then a final appearance in Monterrey. Sun is still new to the tour and should improve with time. Rebecca Marino. on the other hand had an awful season on the WTA Tour but she was brilliant at the ITF level. Marino is past her prime and Sun should take advantage of it.
Prediction: Sun in 3
Katie Volynets vs Erika Andreeva
Head-to-Head: Volynets 1-0 Andreeva
Katie Volynets has shown glimpses of her talent in the last couple of seasons but hasn’t been consistent enough to make a great run. The same can be said for Erika Andreeva, who might not be as good as her sister yet but is very talented. There isn’t much to differentiate between these two at this moment. Andreeva is playing at the ASB Classic for the first time while this is the second appearance for Volynets. I am going with the Russian.
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
Sloane Stephens vs Ann Li
Head-to-Head: Stephens 1-0 Li
Sloane Stephens is the only past winner in the draw and will look to have another shot at the title. Stephens ended her 2024 season in horrible form and is on a six-match losing streak. She will look to break the streak but it will be a tough task against an in-form Ann Li. The 24-year-old Li reached the final in Merida in October and is a tough player to beat on hard courts. I am interested to see which Sloane Stephens shows up this season.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
