Six first-round matches are scheduled on day 1 of the WTA Adelaide International. This article features the #3 seed and last year’s finalist, Daria Kasatkina who will face local player, Olivia Gadecki. As always, we at LWOT will offer pour predictions for every match on the slate. But who will advance to the next round?
WTA Adelaide Day 1 Predictions
Leylah Fernandez vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-Head: Fernandez 1-2 Alexandrova
Leylah Fernandez easily came through the qualifiers and will be a dark horse for this tournament. Fernandez played some good tennis at the United Cup and is playing at this event for the second time. She has a losing record against Ekaterina Alexandrova, but the Russian hasn’t performed at a high level in a long time. 2024 was Alexandrova’s worst year on tour since 2019. I expect Fernandez to come through this.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Donna Vekic vs Yulia Putintseva
Head-to-Head: Vekic 4-3 Putintseva
This is an intriguing clash between two Top 30 players, as Vekic leads the head-to-head, but Putintseva has won the last three meetings between the two. Vekic was far from her best at the United Cup and will look to get back on track before the Australian Open. Putintseva gave a great fight to Aryna Sabalenka last week and will like her chances against Vekic. I expect a better performance from the Croatian player but Putintseva should find a way to emerge victorious.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Daria Kasatkina vs Olivia Gadecki
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Daria Kasatkina had a great opportunity to get to the final in Brisbane last week but couldn’t capitalize and lost in the third round. She is a top-three seed this week at the Adelaide International and last year’s finalist. Olivia Gadecki posted good numbers on hard courts in 2024 and has all the makings of a Top 50 player. However, consistency is missing from her game, and she will look to correct that in 2025. This is a tough first-round match for both players but Kasatkina should win this with her experience and class.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
