The Australian Open might get all the attention, but don’t be fooled. There is currently another WTA tournament taking place in Melbourne right now. In fact, 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin has already lost in the Round of 32 at the WTA Phillip Island Trophy. However, the other 15 Round of 32 matches will be contested on Monday, and we’re here to predict all of them for you. Who will advance? We share our thoughts. This set of predictions looks at four matches, and we also have three other sets, featuring Madison Brengle vs Bianca Andreescu, Varvara Lepchenko vs Danielle Collins, and Petra Martic vs Rebecca Marino.
WTA Phillip Island Trophy Day 2 Prediction
Jill Teichmann vs Shuai Zhang
Editor’s Note: Zhang withdrew before the match and was replaced by Monica Niculescu.
Neither of these players will be happy with their Australian Open performance. Teichmann played poorly against Coco Gauff, while Zhang was absolutely embarrassed by Ann Li. On recent results, I’d have to go with Teichmann. Zhang has more talent, though, so eventually that has to pull through. Probably.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
Ankita Raina vs Kimberly Birrell
Raina is 28 years old and still hasn’t found her way into the top levels of the game. She’s a solid ITF player who has never cracked the top 170. Birrell, meanwhile was a rising young Aussie until she had to take off over a year with an elbow injury. She’s working her way back, and the home courts should help.
Prediction: Birrell in 3
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Greet Minnen vs Rebecca Peterson
Greet Minnen has been getting her chances on tour recently, and she certainly looked strong in her opening match against Timea Babos here. Peterson is the better player, but she’s been a bit inconsistent since a very strong run in 2019. I’ll go with Peterson, but Minnen definitely has a chance to spring this upset.
Prediction: Peterson in 3
Johanna Konta vs Aliaksandra Sanovich
This has the potential to be a good match, but I’m not expecting too much. Sasnovich is extremely talented but somehow never seems fully able to play that way consistently. Konta might no longer be a Top 10 player, but she’s still one of the best in the world. I expect the Brit to cruise.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
