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 Danielle Collins vs Karolina Muchova. Predicting this set of matches are Jim Smith, Glenys Furness, and Jakub Bobro.
Australian Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Kateryna Baindl vs Caty McNally
Jim:
A big opportunity for both to reach the third round at a Major. It’s tough to say who the favourite is coming into the match, but McNally probably has the higher ceiling of the pair. She has also made it to the last 32 at a Major before.
Prediction: McNally in 3
Glenys:
The Ukranian had a bit of a bizarre incident in her first round match. A Russian flag was seen hanging with a spectator, which could have rattled Baindl. However, despite having to battle through the distance, the Ukranian eventually came out on top against Rakhimova.
McNally had a much easier time. The American came through in straights sets against Brazilian Pigossi. Having to get a handle on the game in the first set, and tough out a break, McNally then domianated the second to ease into the second round. Both of these have never been beyond the second round in the Australian Open.
Prediction: McNally in 3
Jakub:
McNally’s draw opened up very nicely after the withdrawal of Paula Badosa. The American has started off well, beating the lucky loser Laura Pigossi in straight sets, and now gets to play Kateryna Baindl (neé Kozlova). Baindl beat Kamilla Rakhimova in three, her first career main draw win in Melbourne. McNally has a very nice path to the third round here.
Prediction: McNally in 2
Qinwen Zheng vs Bernarda Pera
Jim:
Zheng made quick work of Dalma Galfi in the first round, whilst Pera was comparatively labored in seeing off the challenge of Moyuka Uchijima. The American did finish that match strongly, but unless she can make a much faster start, expect Zheng to have the edge here.
Prediction: Zheng in 3
Glenys:
As the seed, Zheng goes into this as the favorite. Her first-round was just a flawless performance and she lost only two games all match. The Chinese is definitely the on-paper winner of this. Zheng also leads the head-to-head, although they have only played once before.
Pera had a tougher time in the first round, losing the first set. However, after regrouping and coming through a very difficult match, the American will want to show she is no pushover. The head-to-head does count against Pera though.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Jakub:
Zheng silenced any fitness concerns after her injury last week with a dominant display over Dalma Galfi. Pera came back from a set down against qualifier Moyuka Uchijima but I don’t expect her to cause too many problems for Zheng in her current form.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Maria Sakkari vs Diana Shnaider
Jim:
Sakkari was not at her very best at the United Cup, but still left the tournament with a respectable 3-1 record and she encountered few problems in beating Yuan Yue in her opener in Melbourne. Could Shnaider pose her more problems? Possibly, but it does not look very likely.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Glenys:
The Greek as sixth seed looks on good form right now. A straight-sets win in the first round against a tricky opponent is always an excellent starting point. The first set saw Sakkari only lose one game and the second only needed one break of serve to secure a second round place. Surprisingly, the Greek has only been as far as the fourth round here, and will want to do better.
Shnaider is into the second round having come through qualifying. The first round was quite a battle, despite being straight sets. Only one break of serve in the two sets separated the players. Shnaider could challenge here, but against the sixth seed it’s unlikely.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Jakub:
Sakkari started with a good win over Yue Yuan and has a decent draw through the first three rounds. Shnaider has now won eight sets in a row in Melbourne, defeating Kristina Kucova after qualifying. It will be interesting to see Shnaider in this big spot but I expect Sakkari to win.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Camila Osorio
Jim:
Swiatek was not at her best against Jule Niemeier in the first round, but in the end came through unscathed in straight sets. That match did suggest that her path to the title might not end up being a procession, but it would be a huge surprise if she fell at the second hurdle.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Glenys:
The top seed has made a fine start to the Australian Open, a straight sets win against Niemeier is a great foundation. Although the second set was very close, the Pole came through in the end and looks on top form so far.
Osorio impressed in her first round match. The Colombian needed time to settle in the first set against Udvardy, but once that was in the bag there was no stopping her. Osorio then demolished the Hungarian in the second set. However the top seed, and favorite, will be a different ball game
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Jakub:
Osorio got a nice draw against Panna Udvardy in her opener, dropping just five games. Swiatek dealt with the threat of Niemeier very well and should have an easier match here.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
