We’re at the second round of the Australian Open. The first round saw upsets and surprises, but very few retirements or injuries. What will we see in the second round? Well, our writers are here to predit the best five matches of Day 3 for you. Predicting today are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), Steen Kirby, Jay Sandhu, and Jack Rossiter-Munley.
Australian Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Lesia Tsurenko vs Amanda Anisimova
Jack:
Lesia Tsurenko enters the 2019 Australian Open at a career high ranking of 24. Brimming with confidence and ready to make a statement following her defeat in the Brisbane finals to Karolina Pliskova, Tsurenko will be ready to batter her way past 17-year-old Amanda Anisimova, the youngest player currently in the WTA Top 100. Anisimova’s only hope is that Tsurenko is tired after her deep run in Brisbane, but more likely Tsurenko carries over her strong form and wins through in two sets.
Prediction: Tsurenko in 2
Steen:
Both players are in good form but the veteran Tsurenko is better positioned to win this match. She’s at a career high ranking of #24 and is set to make a run.
Prediction: Tsurenko in 2
Jay:
Although Anisimova is a rising star, I don’t think she’ll have many chances in this match. She struggled quite a lot against Niculescu, and counting that Tsurenko has a similar defensive style and is on good form, this should be quite easy for the Ukrainian.
Prediction: Tsurenko in 2
Yesh:
Anisimova just beat a similar player to Tsurenko. Then again, Tsurenko is better than Monica Niculescu. Anisimova absolutely has the power to win this match. Will she make a real statement down under that she’s ready to compete with the world’s best? She definitely has a real chance.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
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Danielle Collins vs Saschia Vickery
Jack:
Two Americans do battle for a place in the third round. Danielle Rose Collins made the third round of the Australian Open last year and her win in this year’s first round against 14th seed Julia Gorges was an impressive display of shotmaking and grit. Saschia Vickery also won a hotly contested three-set match, but it was against a less challenging opponent so the edge here still goes to Collins who should win in three.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Steen:
Vickery has found some form but Collins is ranked much higher for a reason and should win this all-American bout.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Jay:
Collins was impressive in the first round and pulled off a big upset against Julia Goerges. Vickery certainly isn’t as big of a challenge as Goerges, so I think Collins should win reasonably easily.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Yesh:
Everyone is going to pick Collins in this match. She’s the more established player and had a more impressive first-round win. But don’t overlook Saschia Vickery. The young American will be a top player someday. That day might not be today, but she has the talent to blast Collins off the court. In a few years, when Vickery is more consistent, she’ll be favored in matchups like this every time.
Prediction: Collins in 3
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Anett Kontaveit vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Jack:
Anett Kontaveit reached the fourth round of last year’s Australian Open and since 2017 has been a regular in the WTA Top 30. She goes into the match the slight favorite against Sasnovich who, despite being at a career high ranking, does not have the crafty game of Kontaveit. The Estonian’s ability to change pace and direction in rallies should give her the edge over Sasnovich.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 3
Steen:
Sasnovich is in great form and is well positioned to defeated the seeded player here.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
Jay:
It’s difficult to know what to expect from Kontaveit as she is so inconsistent, compared to Sasnovich who is usually rock solid. Although Kontaveit leads the head to head, I think Sasnovich has displayed a better form of the last few weeks and could just edge this match.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
Yesh:
This should very quietly be one of the better matches of the day. Kontaveit has great potential but can be inconsistent. Sasnovich has been pretty solid to start the season. Expect some great tennis in this one.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
Caroline Wozniacki vs Johanna Larsson
Jack:
Defending Champion Caroline Wozniacki has a tricky second round opponent in Johanna Larsson. Wozniacki is not the player she was a year ago, but she will have enough to win past Larsson in two tough sets. Larsson has never made it past the second around at the Australian Open and 2019 will not be the year she breaks through.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
Steen:
This is not the best surface for the Swede and Wozniacki is still a notably better player. I don’t expect much of a battle here.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
Jay:
Wozniacki is another player that is very inconsistent, but I don’t see anyway possible for Larsson to win this. She has no weapons whatsoever and Wozniacki should cruise through.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
Yesh:
Wozniacki has not been her consistent self over the past few years, but she made her entire career by winning this tournament last year. When she’s playing her best, there are very few who can beat her. I expect her to be inspired this entire tournament, and she’s going to win matches like this easily.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
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Maria Sharapova vs Rebecca Peterson
Jack:
Sharapova’s form and fitness have been inconsistent, but after a 6-0, 6-0 first round victory, it would be silly to bet against her. She has gone deep at the Australian Open many times. Rebecca Peterson is unlikely to do much damage against a determined Sharapova who should win in straight sets.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
Steen:
Sharapova is a shell of the player she once was but she’ll still be favored to win this match, likely in routine fashion.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
Jay:
Sharapova was very impressive in her first round and didn’t even lose a game. Peterson also had an easy win over Cirstea, but she doesn’t have much experience in big matches like these, and will probably end up being overwhelmed like Dart was.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
Yesh:
Maria Sharapova won her first match in Melbourne 6-0 6-0. Peterson has pulled a few surprising wins in Slams in recent years, but it’s hard to see her doing much against Sharapova when the Russian is playing at this level.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
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