A bumper day of tennis is in store at the Australian Open on day two with 28 matches on the slate in Melbourne. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Iga Swiatek vs Yuan Yue, Amanda Anisimova vs Simona Waltert, Mirra Andreeva vs Donna Vekic, Jessica Pegula vs Anastasia Zakharova, Coco Gauff vs Kamilla Rakhimova, and Victoria Mboko vs Emerson Jones. But who will book their place in the second round?
Australian Open Day 2 Predictions
Barbora Krejcikova vs Diana Shnaider
Zain: Seeking a Surface Slam, Barbora Krejcikova will, unfortunately, enter this match with physical limitations. Against a dangerous opponent like Diana Shnaider, it might be a bridge too far.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2
Jordan: This is among the most challenging opening round matches the seeded Shnaider could have received. I think the two-time Grand Slam champion’s variety is well-suited to troubling her younger opponent. It will likely be close, but Krejcikova is the narrow favourite.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 3
Nurein: Krejcikova’s problem-solving skills and court IQ are top notch. This is a tough draw for Diana Shnaider. You want to avoid facing a former Grand Slam champion right off the bat, but sometimes the luck of the draw doesn’t go in your favor.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 3
Emma Navarro vs Magda Linette
Zain: Despite Emma Navarro’s form completely falling off in the second half of 2025, Magda Linette herself is an inconsistent player currently. This should go the distance, with the American coming through.
Prediction: Navarro in 3
Jordan: There will undoubtedly be several lengthy rallies in this encounter. Navarro’s game is more complete in almost all respects, but she was somewhat unconvincing in her opening two tournaments of 2026. Although that gives Linette some hope, it is not enough for me to back her over the American.
Prediction: Navarro in 3
Nurein: Navarro find her groove this past week after a shocking loss in her opening tournament in Auckland. Linette brings grit, but doesn’t move or hit as cleanly as Navarro. This should be the American’s match to lose.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Solana Sierra vs Moyuka Uchijima
Zain: Solana Sierra is primarily a clay-court player, and against a crafty opponent like Moyuka Uchijima, despite her improvements on hard courts, she might not have all the answers for a win.
Prediction: Uchijima in 3
Jordan: This is a great opportunity for both women to reach the second round. Sierra had a surprising run to the fourth round at Wimbledon last year and all 14 of her Challenger and ITF titles were on clay. Hard courts are the surface where she has proven herself the least, which makes Uchijima the favorite.
Prediction: Uchijima in 2
Nurein: I’ve been impressed by Sierra’s rise and she’s adapted to play on any court. She was in good form at the United Cup and if plays anywhere near that level, I fancy her chances of progressing to the second round in a winnable opener.
Prediction: Sierra in 2
Karolina Muchova vs Jacqueline Cristian
Zain: Due to her aggressive play, Jaqueline Cristian on a hard court will always be a tricky prospect. But Karolina Muchova is the more solid player, who should ride her versatility to a win here.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Jordan: Cristian played well in Adelaide ahead of the Australian Open, registering four victories from qualifying in her quarterfinal run. But that does not alter her being a significant underdog for this clash. Muchova dropped seven games in the last four sets they have played, and is a much superior player.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Nurein: When healthy, Muchova blends fluid movement and disguised shot selection better than most players on tour. And it is difficult to counter that. Cristian’s game is baseline-oriented, so she might need to play out of her comfort zone to avoid this being one way traffic.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Main photo credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports
