Play gets underway at the Hobart International in New Zealand with a full slate of WTA players looking to get matches ahead of the Australian Open. Americans Peyton Stearns and Danielle Collins will be among those in action on Monday. We also look at half of the day’s matches in a separate article. Who will move on?
WTA Hobart International Day 1 Predictions
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Camila Osorio
Two qualifiers will face off as Anna Karolina Schmiedlova takes on Camila Osorio. The Columbian Osorio was the 2019 US Open Girl’s Singles champion and has made a steady climb up the rankings since turning pro in 2020 and earning her maiden WTA title in 2021. While she’s currently ranked 73, Schmiedlova has peaked as high as 22 and last year played a combined 46 matches on the WTA Tour and ITF. She already has two matches under her belt this season that will give her a slight edge coming into this encounter.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 2
Peyton Stearns vs Varvara Gracheva
Rising American star and stand-out college player Peyton Stearns jumped nearly 150 ranking spots in 2023. Along the way she reached the final in Bogata and Charleston before making a run to the fourth round at the US Open. She will take on France’s Varvara Gracheva. The two have met twice previously with an even head-to-head; their most recent meeting was in qualifying at Miami last year, where Gracheva came out on top. Although Gracheva posted two wins in Auckland before falling to Coco Gauff, a lot has changed for Stearns since their last match and she’ll have ample confidence to draw on during this third encounter.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Mertens vs Collins
Top seed Elise Mertens gets underway against the feisty American Danielle Collins. The two hold a 2-3 head-to-head in Collins’ favor, with their most recent meeting at the 2023 US Open, which Mertens won a competitive three-set affair. Both players are coming off of two matches in Brisbane and look to be in good form as they start the season. With similar game styles on offer, it will likely be down to who has a better day.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
