The first Grand Slam of this year is here as 256 singles players have descended upon Melbourne to compete for the Australian Open title. Day 1 kicks off with 16 women’s matches, including Venus Williams vs Olga Danilovic. Our other prediction articles feature Aryna Sabalenka vs Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah, Jasmine Paolini vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich, and Emma Raducanu vs Mananchaya Sawangkaew. Offering their insights and predictions are Zain Mustafa, Ateet Shrivastava, and Ilemona Onekutu. But who will advance?
Australian Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Elina Svitolina vs Cristina Bucsa
Zain
Bucsa enters this match as the clear underdog, but her tactical ability and flatter strokes on this surface can be productive. Ultimately, against Svitolina, a player who is in great form and coming into Melbourne off a title run, it might be a bridge too far.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Ilemona
Svitolina’s defensive skills and court awareness make her extremely hard to break down in these conditions. Bucsa’s consistency may keep it close, but Svitolina’s timing should separate them.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Ateet
Elina Svitolina looked brilliant en route to her title in Auckland and will arrive at the Australian Open full of confidence. She is defending quarterfinal points from last year and will be looking to make a solid start. Cristina Bucsa is a gritty player, but doesn’t have the weapons to trouble the Ukrainian.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Marta Kostyuk vs Elsa Jacquemot
Zain
Jacquemot has strengths that can be real positives on a hard court, with her heavy backhand dictating play at times. Kostyuk, on the other hand, arguably played some of the best tennis of her career in Brisbane, and her form there makes it very difficult for me to see the Frenchwoman winning this match.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Ilemona
Kostyuk’s variety and ability to change pace give her more options during longer rallies. If she stays composed, she should dictate most of the match.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Ateet
Marta Kostyuk astonished many with her amazing tennis in Brisbane, which propelled her to the finals. She has the potential to have a tremendous Australian Open if she continues to play at that level. Elsa Jacquemot has not made a good start to the season, and I don’t see her doing much in this match.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Caty McNally vs Himeno Sakatsume
Zain
Sakatsume did well to come through qualifying, but McNally has the bigger weapons. This should be a close one that the American edges out.
Prediction: McNally in 3
Ilemona
McNally’s instincts at the net and willingness to move forward add a different dimension on hard courts. That aggression should help her control the big moments.
Prediction: McNally in 3
Ateet
Caty McNally has a solid game on hard courts and will be looking to get her first win of the season after two tough three-set losses. Himeno Sakatsume has done a lot of winning this season, but she has not faced any top-100 opponents. I am going with the American to snap her losing streak in a close match.
Prediction: McNally in 3
Venus Williams vs Olga Danilovic
Zain
Whenever a Williams sister plays, no matter the tournament or the occasion, it is expected to be a sold-out affair with a passionate crowd. At the US Open last year, Venus showed us enough to believe that she can stitch a couple of great sets together, but against Danilovic, a player who likes to drag out rallies, this might again be a step too far for the 45-year-old.
Prediction: Danilovic in 3
Ilemona
Venus still thrives when points are on her terms, especially with her serve setting the tone. If she keeps rallies short, her experience should shine through.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Ateet
Two-time finalist Venus Williams is competing at the Australian Open for the first time since 2021 via a wild card. The fans will be delighted to see a legend, but it’s hard to expect much from her against a tricky opponent like Olga Danilovic.
Prediction: Danilovic in 2
Main Photo Credit: Desert Sun/USAToday Images
