The Australian Open gets underway in earnest on day two with 28 matches on the slate at Melbourne Park, and as ever we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match. That includes Iga Swiatek vs Yuan Yue, Amanda Anisimova vs Simona Waltert, Mirra Andreeva vs Donna Vekic, Jessica Pegula vs Anastasia Zakharova, Barbora Krejcikova vs Diana Shnaider, and Victoria Mboko vs Emerson Jones. But who will advance?
Australian Open Day 2 Predictions
Coco Gauff vs Kamilla Rakhimova
Zain: While Kamilla Rakhimova is a solid player from the baseline, against Coco Gauff, you need big weapons to disrupt the American #1. This is a match in which Gauff’s floor level should see her through even if Rakhimova hits her ceiling.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Jordan: Rakhimova created headlines for defeating Jasmine Paolini at last year’s Wimbledon. However, that was caused more by the Italian’s poor performance than Rakhimova’s brilliance. Although Gauff sometimes makes her early-round Grand Slam matches harder work than necessary, it would be very surprising if she lost this.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Nurein: Gauff has come so close to win this tournament in each of the last two years and she will challenge for the title once more as one of the top favorites. The American’s return is one of the best and she will expose Rakhimova’s serve, and she can flip defense into offense in no time.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Patricia Hon vs Marina Stakusic
Zain: Both Priscilla Hon and Marina Stakusic, ranked comfortably outside of the world’s top 100, will feel this is a great opportunity to make the second round of a Major. The backhand-to-backhand pattern will be a crucial one, which I believe Hon might have an advantage in.
Prediction: Hon in 3
Jordan: This will be Stakusic’s second Grand Slam main draw appearance. She played very well in qualifying, not dropping a set. Hon is more experienced at this level and has the benefit of home advantage. That makes her a slightly more likely winner despite how well Stakusic has been playing.
Prediction: Hon in 3
Nurein: Home advantage favors Hon, but the 27-year-old Australian has recoded just one main draw win at the Australian Open. Home advantage can also turn into home pressure for Hon and this might be a good spot for Stakusic to take advantage.
Prediction: Stakusic in 3
Elise Mertens vs Lanlana Tararudee
Zain: Lanlana Tararudee did very well to qualify for the main draw here, defeating multiple talented competitors. But while Elise Mertens’ best tennis is comfortably behind her, she should still have enough to defeat the up-and-comer here.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Jordan: Mertens is usually very solid in the opening round of Grand Slams. There is nothing special in Tararudee’s game that makes me think she will put a dent in that trend. The experienced Belgian to triumph comfortably.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Nurein: Mertens had an incredible United Cup where she won three out of four singles matches against some very good players and the Belgian has never lost a first round match in Melbourne. Considering Tararudee’s strong qualifying run where she beat the talented Lilli Tagger, this could be a tricky one for the 21st seed. That said, it would be one of the shocks of the tournament if Mertens surrenders her perfect first round record in this event.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Elena Seidel vs Oksana Selekhmeteva
Zain: Ella Seidel enters this match with a winning head-to-head, which should give her confidence. If she can once again negate Oksana Selekhmeteva’s lefty angles, she should once again be poised to get the victory here.
Prediction: Seidel in 3
Jordan: Seidel has an ideal playing style for the conditions in Melbourne if she can execute it. The German does not lack belief, which gives her a better chance of finding her best level. Selekhmetova will not be able to cope unless Seidel plays poorly.
Prediction: Seidel in 2
Nurein: This is a big opportunity for both these women to get off the mark at the Australian Open. Seidel brings that huge serve and first-strike tennis. Selekhmeteva is equally aggressive, but can rack up the error count when things don’t go her way. I’m leaning Seidel, but not by much.
Prediction: Seidel in 3
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
