The second round starts on Day 3 of the Australian Open. We’ll see 16 women’s matches on Wednesday in Melbourne to determine who will move on to the next round. As always, we here at LastWordOnTennis will share our writers’ predictions on all the matches. We split the day’s matches between four articles. Our other three articles today feature Coco Gauff vs Emma Raducanu, Jessica Pegula vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich, and Iga Swiatek vs Camila Osorio. Predicting this set of matches are Jim Smith, Glenys Furness, and Jakub Bobro.
Australian Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Victoria Azarenka vs Nadia Podoroska
Jim:
Azarenka may be fast approaching the 10th anniversary of her last Grand Slam triumph, but she should never be counted out, particularly in Australia where she won back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. Notwithstanding that, it does not look likely that she will lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for a third time, but she should at least have the beating of Podoroska.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Glenys:
Azarenka as the seed should be the favorite; however, with lots of issues off the court it wont be an easy ride. The 33-year-old is unable to play under the flag of her country, due to the Russian war in Ukraine. Azarenka edged passed Sofia Kenin in their first round match in what was a very close affair
Podoroska had an unexpected change of opponent, and still managed an easy straight sets win. The Argentine lost only three games to make it to this stage of the event. Podoroska will be relishing the chance to have a go at the seeded player, and there could be a shock on the cards.
Prediction: Podoroska in 3
Jakub:
Podoroska impressed in the first round, allowing lucky loser Leolie Jeanjean only three games. I don’t expect the Argentine to be a match for Azarenka though, who performed solidly in a win over Sofia Kenin.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Petra Kvitova vs Anhelina Kalinina
Jim:
There are so many great stories on the WTA Tour that Kvitova’s achievements (both before and since her serious hand injury) can sometimes be overlooked. They shouldn’t be. The Czech, a finalist here four years ago, has looked sharp so far this season. She should have far too much for Kalinina.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Glenys:
Kvitova had a great run at the Adelaide 2 event before the Australian Open, reaching the quarterfinal. The Czech had to adjut to the court, and the first set against Alison Van Uytvanck showed that, as Kvitova needed a tiebreak to get the lead. However, once settled into the match the seed eased through the second set to get here.
Kalinina had a super warm up to the Open–a quarterfinal in Hobart and coming through qualifying in Adelaide 1 to get some main draw time. Here she decimated Vandeweghe in the first round, losing only 4 games to move into the second round. Kvitova will be a much sterner test though.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3
Jakub:
Kvitova has had a very nice start to the season, now 5-1 after beating Alison Van Uytvanck in here Melbourne opener. Kalinina impressed in the first round, dropping only four games to veteran qualifier Coco Vandeweghe. Kvitova is in-form right now and I could see her going on a run here.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Madison Keys vs Xinyu Wang
Jim:
It would be a poor return for a player of her enviable talents for Keys to end her career without a Grand Slam title, though injuries have not helped the American’s cause. Her difficulty tempering her power with accuracy has been more of a hindrance still. But she found enough winners to get past Anna Blinkova in the first round and should be able to hit through Wang as well, even if she has to go the distance.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Glenys:
Keys didn’t play a warm up event leading into the Australian open, and it showed in her first round match. Having to battle through match distance to claim the spot in the second round. One break of serve secured Keys the first set, but then the American lost the second, but powered through the third to set up this match up.
Wang made the quarterfinal in Hobart as the best spot in her lead in to the Slam. The Chinese player took out Australian Storm Sanders in the first round in straight sets, although the match wasn’t as straight forward as that suggests. The match could have gone either way and turned on the odd point or two.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Jakub:
Keys is still undefeated on the year, now 6-0, and overcoming a tricky opponent in Anna Blinkova. The Hobart semifinalist put up a good fight, taking a set off the American. Wang took out Storm Hunter (neé Sanders) in the opening round but I expect Keys to come out on top here.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Danielle Collins vs Karolina Muchova
Jim:
Both Collins and Muchova have good records at the Australian Open, but it has been a tricky 18 months or so for the Czech. She has had to contend with more than her fair share of injuries and might be a little bit short of a full gallop here as a result. In a matchup where there would otherwise be little to split them, that might prove decisive.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Glenys:
Collins is the seeded player here but faced a tough first round to get to this stage. A match that went the distance, with only one break of serve per set. That couldn’t have been closer, and was a scare for the American.
Muchova on the other hand, had a very easy ride in the first round. The Czech only lost three games in total in the straight-set victory over her Ukranian opponent. This puts Muchova on the front foot, having not expended as much energy to get to this stage
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Jakub:
Collins started her final defense with a hard-fought win over an in-form Anna Kalinskaya. Muchova enters with SR and blew through Lesia Tsurenko, allowing the veteran qualifier only three games. I expect a very entertaining battle with some great rallies but ultimately Collins to win out.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
