A couple more days remain in 2024, but the action continues at the WTA 500 event in Brisbane on Monday. Valuable ranking points and confidence are up for grabs in the first round, as no seeds and top-ranked players loom yet. LWOT predicts four of the eight matches below, with the other set of predictions featuring Ons Jabeur’s return to the tennis court.
WTA Brisbane Day 2 Predictions
Priscilla Hon vs Kimberly Birrell
Head-to-head: Hon 5-2
This matchup is the pair’s eighth career meeting, but it’s the first time they’ll play one another at WTA tour level. Five of their previous seven matches went into a third set, and their similar rankings and form may result in another long battle. Hon, ranked No. 167, has to be the slight favorite here. Her wins over Birrell and two qualifying victories in Brisbane thus far should give her extra confidence.
Prediction: Hon in 3
Anhelina Kalinina vs Wang Yafan
Head-to-head: First meeting
Kalinina is now two years off her career-high ranking of No. 25, and she won’t have many points to defend in the early tournaments of the year. Meanwhile, Wang will look to start 2025 fresh after missing the end of the Asian Swing with a back injury. Both players are similarly ranked and particularly have strong forehands. While Kalinina is 1-5 since the start of the North American hardcourt swing, she may have the edge due to Wang’s injury layoff.
Prediction: Kalinina in 3
Anca Todoni vs Christina Bucsa
Head-to-head: First meeting
Todoni, 20 years old and ranked just outside the Top 100, had her best career season in 2024. She claimed her first three WTA tour-level wins during the year, and now holds a 3-5 record overall. Clay courts are statistically her best surface, so adjusting to Brisbane’s faster courts could be difficult.
Busca’s form dipped in 2024, but she tends to play her best tennis on hard courts. She’ll have to serve well and start the match strong to take this match. Busca may just be the slight favorite based on experience, but the match could go either way.
Prediction: Busca in 3
Veronika Kudermetova vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-head: First meeting
Stearns is an exciting player to watch and had a solid string of matches on home American soil last summer. She went 0-3 throughout the Australian swing in 2024 and has many ranking points to pick up, as a result. On the other hand, Kudermetova was ranked in the Top 20 at the start of 2024, and she is now ranked No. 77 in the world. She started to pick her form up toward the back end of the season, but there’s lots to improve for the 27-year-old. It’ll be good for both players to start fresh in 2025, but the American might have a bit more confidence and upside to her game.
Prediction: Stearns in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
