The first round of the Australian Open wraps up on Day 2. We get to see 32 women’s matches across the grounds in Melbourne, in the more wide-open half of the draw. As always, we here at LWOT share our thoughts on all the matches with you. We split the day’s matches between eight different articles. Our other articles feature Aryna Sabalenka vs Tereza Martincova, Sorana Cirstea vs Yulia Putintseva, Daria Kasatkina vs Varvara Gracheva, Anett Kontaveit vs Julie Grabher, Mayar Sherif vs Magda Linette, Leylah Fernandez vs Alize Cornet, and Ons Jabeur vs Tamara Zidansek. Predicting this set of matches are Jim Smith, Glenys Furness, and Shane Black. Who do you think will win?
Australian Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Maryna Zanevska vs Veronika Kudermetova
Jim:
Kudermetova withdrew ahead of her semifinal clash with Belinda Bencic at the Adelaide International, but it seems safe to assume at this point that that was a precautionary decision. Provided she is fully fit, she should have far too much for Zanevska.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Glenys:
Zanevska entered Hobart qualifying and made the main draw. The Beligan made the second round before Kenin stopped her in her tracks. Zanevska won her first round match last year, but had to withdraw before the second round match took place.
Kudermetova played both events in Adelaide. She made the quarterfinal in the first week, and the semi final the second week. Unfortunately, Kudermetova had to withdraw before the semi final took place. If she has recovered sufficiently to take to the court, then Kudermetova will be wanting to progress again.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Shane:
Veronika Kudermetova had the best season of her career in 2022. She has started the 2023 season with a 5-2 record and should be feeling very confident in her game as the No. 9 seed. Although I like the form Maryna Zanevska currently holds, I do not believe she has enough to beat Kudermetova.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Garbine Muguruza vs Elise Mertens
Jim:
This has the makings of a very entertaining match, though players did lose their first match of the season (and Muguruza lost her second as well). Mertens has a win under her belt, but it came world #325 Gergana Topolova at the United Cup. Still, a win is a win.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Glenys:
Muguruza played Adelaide both weeks. The Spaniard lost in the first round in both, so not ideal preparations for the first grand slam of the year. Since making the final in 2020 the Spaniard has failed to reproduce the form that took her there. Last year she lost in the second round
Mertens was the second seed in Hobart and lost to fellow Belgian Zanevska in the first round, in what was seen as an upset. The Beligan made the fourth round last year, however Muguruza leads the head to head over these players so it’s going to be difficult for the Belgian
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Shane:
No. 26 seed Elise Mertens gets a very tough draw with former world No. 1 Garbine Muguruza. That said, the Spaniard had a very up-and-down 2022 season and is 0-3 to start the new year. I believe Mertens comes out aggressively, dictating this match and forcing Muguruza into a lot of errors.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Jasmine Paolini vs Liudmila Samsonova
Jim:
This looks like a very winnable match for Samsonova. Paolini has improved away from the clay, but the Italian is still a lot more comfortable on the terre battue than she is off it and she was well-beaten by Elisabetta Cocciaretto in her last outing.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Glenys:
Paolini made the second round in singles at Hobart, and the first round in the doubles. The Italian also played the first week of Adelaide but lost in the first round there. Paolini is playing the doubles at the Australian Open as well as the singles. The Italian has never been beyond the first round in the first grand slam of the year.
Samsonova made the second round of Adelaide 1 and lost in the first round of Adelaide 2. The Russian made the second round of the event last year, so this match will be a battle as both will want to make that stage at the very least.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
Shane:
24-year-old Liudmila Samsonova has worked her way into the top 20, but she is still looking for a run at a Slam. I believe it could come this week. The conditions play perfectly into her aggressive style of play. Samsonova should be able to dictate most points in this match.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Karolina Pliskova vs Xiyu Wang
Jim:
Pliskova has made an indifferent start to the season, going 2-2 so far in 2023, but that’s a better start than Wang’s. The Chinese managed to play just eight games against Karolina Muchova before retiring with an injury. Even if she was fully fit, this would be a tough draw.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Glenys:
Wang started the build up to the first slam of the year in Auckland. The Chinese player was the fifth seed and was losoing 3-5 when she was forced to withdraw from the match. Ranked #49 Wang is not seeded for the event. If fully recovered the Chinese will be a force to reckon with at the Australian Open.
Pliskova played both the Adelaide warm up events. Losing in the first round at Adelaide 1 to the seventh seed in straight sets. The Czech then came through qualifying at Adelaide 2 and met the 10th seed in the first round. Another straight sets defeat, but this one was a much closer match. Pliskova is seeded for the Australian Open and this will be an exciting match as they are close in ranking
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
Shane:
After losing her last five matches of the 2022 season, Karolina Pliskova looked comfortable in two wins in Adelaide. The former world No. 1 has a 22-9 career record in Melbourne and will enjoy the fast pace of the courts. She should be able to break down the game of 21-year-old Wang Xiyu.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
