Day 1 at the Australian Open kicks off on Monday. The 2020 Grand Slam season is here, and LWOT writers are here to offer our thoughts. Not only did we do a roundtable set of predictions, but we will do match-by-match predictions for as much as we can throughout the tournament. On Day 1, we have five sets of predictions for you. Each set includes four matches. In addition to this one, we also have sets featuring Kristie Ahn vs Caroline Wozniacki, Naomi Osaka vs Marie Bouzkova, Anastasia Potapova vs Serena Williams, and Venus Williams vs Coco Gauff. Predicting this set of matches are Tracey Essex, myself (Yesh Ginsburg), and Jim Smith.
Australian Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Sorana Cirstea vs Barbora Strycova<
Tracey:
It’s slightly concerning that Sorana Cirstea withdrew from Hobart. Exactly what’s going on with that left foot? If there’s any lingering pain, Strycova will make her pay with deft dropshots and her savvy net play.
Prediction: Strycova in 2
Yesh:
Injuries the week before Slams are common, and they’re more often excuses than real injuries. Cirstea is the better player right now, and it’s fair to assume that she didn’t want to overexert herself the week before the Australian Open. As long as she’s actually healthy, she should win.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Jim:
Sorana Cirstea had been playing some fine tennis in Hobart, before injury forced her to withdraw ahead of her quarterfinal against Kristyna Pliskova. But if she’s fit, she may well fancy her chances up against Barbora Strycova, who has struggled for consistency since making the semifinals at Wimbledon last season.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Madison Brengle vs Caroline Garcia
Tracey:
2020 hasn’t been kind to Caroline Garcia, who continues to struggle. Exited in the second round of the ASB Classic by Eugenie Bouchard and a first round bounce in Hobart at the hands of Lizette Cabrera doesn’t bode well. Perhaps she’ll boost her confidence with a win over American Madison Brengle.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Yesh:
Neither player is in great form right now, but I really think that the American is playing slightly better tennis. This will probably come down to nerves, and I think that Brengle probably sneaks through in the end.
Prediction: Brengle in 3
Jim:
It feels a long time ago now that Caroline Garcia was ranked inside the world’s top ten. The Frenchwoman remains a gifted player, but something is clearly not right with her approach and she currently finds herself ranked 46th in the world. But the conditions in Melbourne should suit her aggressive approach and she has won three of her four meetings with Madison Brengle.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Fiona Ferro vs Alison Van Uytvanck
Tracey:
Two players looking for their first win of 2020. (I’m not counting Ferro’s Hobart walkover thanks to Rebecca Peterson’s retirement.) In their only AO warm-up, neither woman fared well. I’ll give the edge to Van Uytvanck who played such solid doubles to exit specialist Sam Stosur and red hot Lizette Cabrera in straight sets.
Prediction: Van Uytvanck in 2
Yesh:
Ferro had a great season last year, and she definitely could be a threat to anyone in the draw. On the other hand, Van Uytvanck is a solid player who is tough to beat whenever she hits the ball cleanly. This should be a tight toss-up match, but I think Van Uytvanck should win out in the end.
Prediction: Van Uytvanck in 3
Jim:
Fiona Ferro seems like a player with a bright future, but she is more comfortable on the European clay than the quick hard courts at Melbourne Park. Alison Van Uytvanck, in contrast, generally likes to take big cuts at the ball and that should give her a real advantage over the French young gun here. Expect her to avenge the defeat she suffered at Ferro’s hands last season in Lugano.
Prediction: Van Uytvanck in 3
Ashleigh Barty vs Leisa Tsurenko
Tracey:
Not the easiest opponent for Ash Barty to start her campaign, but certainly manageable. The Aussie is playing at such a high level, it will take a lot to bounce the World #1.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Yesh:
Barty is the best player in the world right now, especially when Bianca Andreescu isn’t playing. That’s not to say that she’ll definitely win this tournament or is even a heavy favorite, but she’ll get through the early rounds easily.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Jim:
Ash Barty showed at the Adelaide International why she is the world #1, bouncing back from a bad start to the season in Brisbane to come through a tough draw to win the title. It won’t be easy for her at Melbourne Park, where the pressure will be on in front of her home crowd. And make no mistake, Lesia Tsurenko can play. But expect Barty’s court-craft and guile to carry her through safely.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
Disagree with our Australian Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
