There are nine first-round matches scheduled on Day 2 of the WTA Hobart International, and most of them are going to be close battles. This article features seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, who takes on #6 seed Tatjana Maria. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate, but who will advance?
WTA Hobart Day 2 Predictions
Anna Bondar vs Ella Seidel
Head-to-Head: Bondar 1-1 Seidel
Anna Bondar will be looking to get her first main draw win of the season, as she lost a close match in Brisbane to Cristina Bucsa. Hard courts are not her strength, but she has a lot more experience than her opponent, Ella Seidel, who comes into this match as a lucky loser. Seidel has shown promise on this surface in her short career and will likely fancy her chances of securing the win.
Prediction: Seidel in 3
Magda Linette vs Oksana Selekhmeteva
Head-to-Head: Linette 1-0 Selekhmeteva
Magda Linette has started 2026 solidly, reaching the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic in Auckland, defeating Venus Williams in the opener and others before falling to Alexandra Eala. Linette has a reliable game on this surface, with strong baseline play and good rally tolerance. Oksana Selekhmeteva did well in the qualifiers and will play her first main draw match of the season. However, she might struggle to win longer rallies against Linette and must serve exceptionally well to keep this close.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Magdalena Frech vs Elsa Jacquemot
Head-to-Head: Frech 1-0 Jacquemot
Magdalena Frech played two competitive matches in Brisbane last week and should be sharp to get some more wins here. Frech had a disappointing 2025 season and will be looking to make some impact in this Australian swing. Elsa Jacquemot had a strong end to the 2025 season and has shown promise as a rising player with her aggressive game. If she can minimize errors, she will make this close. However, I am going with the more experienced player.
Prediction: Frech in 3
Barbora Krejcikova vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova played two great matches at the United Cup before losing the plot against Elise Mertens in the quarterfinals. She will be looking to get some more match wins this week and arrive at the Australian Open in the best shape and form. Peyton Stearns had a bad loss in the first round of the ASB Classic in Auckland, and I don’t see her troubling Krejcikova.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Venus Williams vs Tatjana Maria
Head-to-Head: first meeting
The 45-year-old, seven-time Grand Slam champion, Venus Williams is making her Hobart debut via a wild card. Williams showed flashes of some good tennis in Auckland, where she lost to Magda Linette and is her to gain some more match play before the Australian Open. Tatjana Maria is not in the best of form, but will be the favorite to win this match on paper as Williams has played sparingly in recent years. However, I am going with the former World No.1 to show some vintage tennis and win this match.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Main Photo Credit: Syndication: Desert Sun/USAToday Images
