Day 1 at the Australian Open starts on Monday. Grand Slam tennis 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, Ashleigh Barty vs Leisa Tsurenko, and Venus Williams vs Coco Gauff. Predicting this set of matches are Tracey Essex, Eric Han, and Jim Smith.
Australian Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Petra Kvitova vs Katerina Siniakova
Tracey:
This has the makings for a first round upset. Obviously, Siniakova has a head to head deficit against the Czech superstar. And, Kvitova is coming off a semifinal run in Brisbane. It’s a venue at which Kvitova has historically performed well. But, Siniakova can challenge the Czech – taking balls early and ending points on her terms. It’ll be tough, but Siniakova just might win her first clash with Kvitova.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
Eric:
Kvitova had a decent start to 2020. The two-time Wimbledon champion made the semis of Brisbane before losing to Madison Keys in a three setter. I also don’t see last singles year’s finalist bowing out in the first round this year.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Jim:
Petra Kvitova has not made a superb start to the year, although she did play fairly well in Brisbane. And the former-finalist has not received a kind draw, with Katerina Siniakova having developed something of a taste for giant-killing over the past 18 months. But Kvitova does have formidable power and that should be just enough to take her past her compatriot and into the second round.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3
Alison Riske vs Yafan Wang
Tracey:
Although Riske trails in her head-to-head with Wang, she has made a good start to the season and the conditions should suit her better than the Chinese. I see Riske chalking up another.
Prediction: Riske in 3
Eric:
A bit of a coin toss on this one. Wang had a good 2019, but didn’t win her opening match of the year. Riske had a so-so 2019, but things are looking good for her in 2020. So probably leaning Riske here considering she had a good run in Brisbane before losing to eventual champion Karolina Pliskova.
Prediction: Riske in 2
Jim:
This match may not be a headline clash, but it is certainly intriguing. Alison Riske is coming off a career-best season, whilst Wang Yafan also enjoyed a productive 2019. It is the Chinese who holds the head-to-head advantage, having edged out Riske in their most recent meeting, which came in Miami in 2018. However, the quicker conditions in Australia should better suit Riske.
Prediction: Riske in 3
Johanna Konta vs Ons Jabeur
Tracey:
Sitting smack dab in a talent loaded part of the draw, Johanna Konta will need to begin at her best. It’s a 1-1 head to head in which Ons Jabeur owns the most recent (Eastbourne 2019) win. In her only lead-up tournament, Konta fell in a three set clash with Barbora Strycova. On the other hand, Jabeur enters Melbourne with two tournaments under her belt, albeit unremarkable. The Tunisian has spent some time building her game and may well push Konta beyond her limits.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Eric:
The Brit has struggled to gain consistent results from last year and it seems to have continued into this year at Brisbane. Jabeur actually beat Konta last year on the grass at Eastbourne, but I think this time being on Konta’s preferred surface, she should get through.
Prediction: Konta in 3
Jim:
Johanna Konta burst onto the scene in Australia four years ago, but although she reached the quarterfinals a year later, in her last two trips to Melbourne Park she hasn’t progressed beyond the second round. And with a knee injury having hampered her preparations, she seems like a prime candidate to be upset on day one.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Anastasia Potapova vs Serena Williams
Tracey:
Serena Williams is my pick to win this edition of the Australian Open, finally claiming the elusive 24th Slam title. The American superstar commanded the courts in Auckland, lifting her first trophy post-maternity. Anastasia Potapova doesn’t have the experience or the strategy to truly push an in form and focused Serena Williams. But, give the young Russian a bit of time – she’s a name we’ll see often in the years to come.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Eric:
Serena has only lost once in the first round at a Grand Slam, and I don’t think it’ll happen ever again. The 22-time Major champion is on a mission here to equal Margaret Court’s record and will get through this match with not much problems.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Jim:
Serena Williams made short shrift of the last teenaged star she played, hammering Amanda Anisimova 6-0 6-1 on her way to winning the title in Auckland. That may have somewhat diminished Anastasia Potapova’s desire to take on the great American in Melbourne. I’m still not quite convinced that Williams can go all the way at the Australian Open, but it’s hard to see Potapova offering much resistance here.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
Disagree with our Australian Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
