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 Ashleigh Barty vs Leisa Tsurenko. Predicting this set of matches are Tracey Essex, Eric Han, and Jim Smith.
Australian Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Christina McHale vs Petra Martic
Tracey:
Petra Martic hasn’t had a great start to 2020, falling in the second round in Auckland to Alize Cornet. McHale and Martic have split their previous two matches. But, Martic is a top 20 player, knocking on the door of the Top 10 and should find a way to exit McHale without too much problem.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Eric:
This will be a close one. But Martic is ranked inside the top 15 for a reason. It’ll go three sets, but Martic will find a way to win.
Prediction: Martic in 3
Jim:
Christina McHale certainly does not want for power, but accuracy can sometimes be a real problem for the American. And the quick and crafty Petra Martic seems like exactly the sort of player to expose that failing in McHale’s game. Expect the Croatian to advance without encountering too many problems.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Jil Teichmann
Tracey:
I expect the Shenzhen champion to see the second week of the Australian Open. She’ll work on the kinks against Jil Teichmann and prevail.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Eric:
Teichmann withdrew from her Hobart doubles match with a neck injury. Not knowing how serious the injury is, the safe prediction would be to go with Alexandrova.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Jim:
Ekaterina Alexandrova will be a player to keep an eye on this fortnight at the Australian Open. The Russian made a fine start to her year by capturing the title in Shenzhen and the quick conditions at Melbourne Park should suit her aggressive approach. Certainly more than they suit Teichmann’s.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Arantxa Rus vs Magda Linette
Tracey:
Far from the level we’ve come to expect from Magda Linette, the Pole suffered a straight sets loss in Hobart. Granted, Lauren Davis played at the top of her game. But, Linette had far too many unforced errors to do anything but lose. Against Arantxa Rus, the World #43 should regain her rhythm and sharpen the shaky serve. I’m not sure how far Linette can go in Melbourne, but she should make it over the first hurdle.
Prediction: Linette in 2
Eric:
Rus can be a good player, but can be inconsistent with her results which explains why she is just inside the top 100. At Grand Slam events, consistency is a big key, and Linette is simply more consistent than her Dutch opponent.
Prediction: Linette in 2
Jim:
Magda Linette put together a quietly impressive 2019 season and she will surely be eager to kick on in 2020. There doesn’t seem likely to be a massive amount in this match, however, with a Rus a fine player in her own right. Nonetheless, Linette should have enough in her game to edge it.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Venus Williams vs Coco Gauff
Tracey:
Go ahead and flip a coin. This match could go either way. Coco Gauff is a rising star at the start of what will be a long and titled career. Venus Williams is a consummate veteran nearing the end of career. Williams undoubtedly possesses the strategic skills the younger Gauff has yet to earn. A 6-4, 6-4 loss at Wimbledon is no doubt not far from Venus’ mind. Yet I’m sure she learned some valuable lessons which she’ll bring to this second clash with Gauff. I’ll go against the oddsmakers and pick Venus.
Predictions: Williams in 3
Eric:
I think when Coco first stepped onto the world stage at Wimbledon last year, nobody really knew how to beat her. Now players are starting to figure her out as she’s had a few unexpected losses in the past few tournaments. I think Venus will get through this one but it will be tough.
Predictions: Williams in 2
Jim:
Coco Gauff announced her arrival by beating Venus Williams at Wimbledon last season and Williams will surely not be thrilled at the prospect of facing the 15-year-old again in Melbourne. Gauff has shown in the months since her breakout run in SW19 that it was no fluke. Expect her to rubberstamp that here.
Prediction: Gauff 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.
