The first Grand Slam of the season is here and there should be plenty of entertaining tennis on day one at the Australian Open. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Naomi Osaka vs Maria Osorio, Coco Gauff vs Wang Qiang, Barbora Krejcikova vs Andrea Petkovic, Belinda Bencic vs Kristina Mladenovic, Ons Jabeur vs Nuria Parrizas Diaz, Sofia Kenin vs Madison Keys and Victoria Azarenka vs Panna Udvardy. But who will reach the second round?
Australian Open Day 1 Predictions
Ash Barty vs Lesia Tsurenko
Jim: This isn’t the most straightforward start to the tournament imaginable for Ash Barty, who will be desperate to perform on home turf. But it is still a winnable match for the Australian. Expect her to do just that.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Yesh: Barty looks strong to start 2022. She hasn’t had consistent tournaments since the pandemic, but she’s still the world’s best.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Fraser: Barty is the clear favourite here. She won her first title of the year in Adelaide two weeks ago and has been comfortably the best tennis player in women’s tennis over the last 12 months. Expect a comfortable first round win here for the Aussie.
Prediction: Barty in 2
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Yulia Putintseva vs Harmony Tan
Jim: Harmony Tan has a bright future, probably, but she has yet to really show that she can compete consistently at this level. Consistency isn’t really a word that associates readily with Yulia Putintseva either, but the Kazakh has played at a much higher level than the Frenchwoman. She should have the edge here.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Yesh: Putintseva is strong and can challenge the best, but her game isn’t always there, especially against certain types of players. Tan isn’t one of them.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Fraser: Putintseva is a fierce competitor with great ability who is always a tough opponent to beat. She should be able to come through here against Tan. Tan has shown flashes of good play, but not enough consistency to be a mainstay on the WTA Tour just yet.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
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Greet Minnen vs Jaqueline Cristian
Jim: It doesn’t look like there is a great deal in this on paper. But Jaqueline Cristian has made the more impressive start to the season, marginally, having actually won a match. She’s also coming off the best season of her career so far.
Prediction: Cristian in 3
Yesh: Both of these women have had solid performances over the past few years, but Cristian seems to be improving her game and consistency more, recently. This will go to whoever plays well longer, which makes this hard to predict.
Prediction: Cristian in 3
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Fraser: This should be a tightly fought contest with not much separating these players in terms of ability. Cristian has more power and is the more aggressive player. That should be an advantage on the fast courts in Melbourne. The Romanian should edge this on that basis.
Prediction: Cristian in 3
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Sara Sorribes Tormo vs Kirsten Flipkens
Jim: Kirsten Flipkens is great to watch when she is at her best and it shouldn’t be forgotten that she’s a former Grand Slam semifinalist. But that run to the last four (at Wimbledon) came the better part of a decade ago and she’s not the force she was then. This should be fairly comfortable for Sara Sorribes Tormo.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Yesh: Sorribes Tormo is flying under the radar, but she’s often a threat in just about any match. Flipkens is past her prime, which should make this easier.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Fraser: Sorribes Tormo hasn’t had a great start to the year. However, the Spaniard is a quality player who had a career year last year. Flipkens is past her prime and not much of a threat on quicker hard courts. Sorribes Tormo wins here.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
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