We complete the first round of the Australian Open on Day 3, with 20 women’s matches on the schedule. As always, we here at LWOT will share our predictions for all of them with you. Will we see upsets? Close matches? Our writers share their thoughts. We split the 20 matches between five articles, with the rest of the articles featuring Elena Rybakina vs Emerson Jones, Madison Keys vs Ann Li, Emma Raducanu vs Ekaterina Alexandrova, and Emma Navarro vs Peyton Stearns. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Manuel Traquete, and Ilemona Onekutu. Who do you think will advance?
Australian Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Iva Jovic vs Nuria Parrizas-Diaz
Jordan:
Jovic is the more aggressive of the two players. Parrizas-Diaz’s ability to grind out a result might be negatively impacted by the quick courts in Melbourne. That makes Jovic a slight favorite.
Prediction: Jovic in 2
Manuel:
A rare matchup between two players outside of the Top 100, but who have the ability to be much higher than they currently are. Both will see this match as a great opportunity to start a Slam run and it should be a very tightly contested match decided by small details.
Prediction: Jovic in 3
Ilemona:
Parrizas-Diaz’s recent form and more complete baseline game favor her over Jovic, who has limited main-draw experience.
Prediction: Parrozas-Diaz in 2
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Julia Riera
Jordan:
Riera did very well to qualify for the main draw at the Australian Open for the first time. However, she is still a better clay court than hard court player. It is very doubtful that she has the ability to beat someone as good as Haddad Maia outside of clay.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Manuel:
Haddad Maia is yet to win a match this season, but she got a very kind draw here; she is the much better and higher ranked player of the two and it is highly unlikely that Riera will put up any meaningful resistance.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Ilemona:
Beatriz Haddad Maia might once again be involved in yet another classic long match to start her campaign. Riera has looked dialed in throughout her qualifying rounds and will be fearless when she takes on Haddad Maia.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 3
Daria Kasatkina vs Viktoriya Tomova
Jordan:
Kasatkina’s underwhelming Grand Slam performances were the reason she missed out on last season’s WTA Finals. Tomova is an aggressive player, but she does not quite have the firepower to hit through Kasatkina if she is at her best. Last year’s Ningbo Open champion will progress if she overcomes the mental block Grand Slams presented last year.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Manuel:
Kasatkina didn’t start the season well, but she should raise her level considerably now that it is Slam time. She is the far superior player here and her consistency should see her qualify to the second round without much fuss.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Ilemona:
Kasatkina’s variety and defensive abilities should neutralize Tomova’s more straightforward game. Maintaining her level, should she start strong will be Katsatkina’s biggest hurdle but she should be able to navigate that soundly.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Jasmine Paolini vs Sijia Wei
Jordan:
Paolini has not been talked about as one of the favorites for the Australian Open despite reaching two Grand Slam finals last year. However, slipping under the radar probably suits the Italian. She should have no issues against Wei, who does not do anything better than her.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Manuel:
Paolini had a spectacular 2024 season, even if it fell just short of Grand Slam glory, and she will be hoping to go one step further this year. She has found a way to consistently bring her best tennis to Slams and will certainly be very tough to beat again here.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Ilemona:
Jasmine Paolini was a different player when she played here last year. Having not been past the second round in any of her grand slam appearances. Two Grand Slam finals later and she has fully transformed the outlook of her career so far.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Main Photo credit: Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
