We complete the first round of the Australian Open on Day 3, with 20 women’s matches on the schedule. As always, we here at LWOT will share our predictions for all of them with you. Will we see upsets? Close matches? Our writers share their thoughts. We split the 20 matches between five articles, with the rest of the articles featuring Elena Rybakina vs Emerson Jones, Emma Raducanu vs Ekaterina Alexandrova, Jasmine Paolini vs Sijia Wei, and Emma Navarro vs Peyton Stearns. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Manuel Traquete, and Ilemona Onekutu. Who do you think will advance?
Australian Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Taylor Townsend vs Renata Zarazua
Jordan:
Townsend is a wildly inconsistent player. However, she faces an opponent who is better on clay and does not like being rushed. The American’s powerful should take her into the next round.
Prediction: Townsend in 2
Manuel:
The two players are separated by only five ranking spots, showing how evenly matched this match should be. In their previous direct matchups, Townsend always prevailed and that might just give her the extra confidence she needs to pull through here.
Prediction: Townsend in 3
Ilemona:
Townsend’s all-court game, especially her net play, should trouble Zarazua, whose baseline style lacks firepower. Townsend will ultimately carry the day and extending her slight edge in the head to head.
Prediction: Townsend in 2
Elena-Gabriela Ruse vs Irina-Camelia Begu
Jordan:
This could be a tight battle. Ruse’s forehand is a bigger weapon than any aspect of Begu’s game. That might make the difference in the fast conditions in Melbourne.
Prediction: Ruse in 3
Manuel:
There’s very little to separate the two here, but Ruse has the extra confidence of a great run through qualifying to get to this match and she won the one previous matchup between the two, so she might just have the slightest of edges.
Prediction: Begu in 3
Ilemona:
Begu’s experience and defensive skills give her the advantage, but Ruse could challenge if she finds her range early. Expect a long, drawn out contest with Ruse holding a slight advantage.
Prediction: Ruse in 3
Katie Boulter vs Rebecca Marino
Jordan:
Boulter could be a dark horse for a deep run at the Australian Open in the speedy conditions, which suit her game. I doubt there is enough in Marino’s game to hurt the Briton. Boulter just needs to avoid making a lot of unforced errors to win.
Prediction: Boulter in 2
Manuel:
Boulter has been making steady progress and will surely be confident of a strong 2025. Marino is a solid player, but also the kind of opponent Boulter needs to be beating regularly if she intends to be a contender for big titles.
Prediction: Boulter in 2
Ilemona:
Boulter’s form and ability to dictate points make her a solid pick, with Marino’s serve being her biggest weapon in this matchup. Boulter has found a way to neutralize that weapon in the past and I back her to do so again.
Prediction: Boulter in 2
Madison Keys vs Ann Li
Jordan:
Keys received the perfect preparation in Adelaide, winning the tournament. Li defeated Keys’ close friend Sloane Stephens twice to start the season, but Keys is a much more formidable opponent right now. This will probably be one-sided.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Manuel:
Keys has come close to winning a Slam a few times before but is yet to break through that glass ceiling, with 2025 providing a new opportunity to attempt it. Her title run in Adelaide will surely give her a lot of confidence ahead of this Australian Open debut.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Ilemona:
Keys’ track record of pushing for a deep run after securing the title in the week before a major is well documented and it’s going to take some doing from Ann Li to stop her mounting that charge again here.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
