With 16 matches on the slate, there should be plenty of entertaining tennis on day one at the Australian Open. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Aryna Sabalenka vs Sloane Stephens, Zheng Qinwen vs Anca Todoni and Paula Badosa vs Wang Qiang. But who will reach the round of 64?
Australian Open Day 1 Predictions
Mirra Andreeva vs Marie Bouzkova
Ilemona: Mirra Andreeva was only stopped in her tracks by the world no.1 Aryna Sabalenka in Brisbane where she picked up where she left off last season. It is hard to pick against the young Russian right now and although Bouzkova has the game to test her, I don’t see this match ending any other way than in favor of Andreeva.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Ateet: Mirra Andreeva has kept improving her game with every passing month and is now one of the outside favourites to win the title. She has already reached the second week in her first main draw last year and will look to go even further this time. Marie Bouzkova is in good form and can hold her own for a set but it might not be enough against the quality of Andreeva’s tennis
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Jordan: This match will be a good test of Andreeva’s development. The 17-year-old has struggled in the past against defensively adept opponents like Bouzkova. Andreeva needs to be patient and pick her opponents to attack. Overall, she is a slight favorite to defeat the Czech.
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
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Tatjana Maria vs Bernarda Pera
Ilemona: An encounter between two closely matched players on current form. Bernarda Pera is more reliable on hard courts and will go into this match as the favorite. Other than an inspired performance from her opponent here, there’s no clear reason not to back her.
Prediction: Pera in 2
Ateet: 37-year-old Tatjana Maria will play in her 12th main draw at the Australian Open. Maria has played some of her best tennis in the last three years and is showing no signs of slowing down. However, Bernarda Pera has been in rich form since October last year and will go into this match as favourite.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Jordan: This is a good draw for both players. Former Wimbledon semifinalist Maria showed signs of decline last season while Pera is more naturally suited to clay. This will likely be a tight battle, but the younger Pera is backed to win.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Suzan Lames vs Veronika Erjavec
Ilemona: Veronika Erjavec blew past her opponents in the qualifying rounds without dropping more than five games in all three matches. The confidence gained from that run should see her win against yet another tricky opponent.
Prediction: Erjavec in 2
Ateet: Both players are playing in their first-ever main draw of the Australian Open and will be determined to make a winning debut. Veronika Erjavec came through the qualifying rounds without losing the set and as an underdog in two of the matches. Suzan Lamens has already won two tour-level matches this year and has achieved big things on this surface in the last three months. I have her going through.
Prediction: Lamens in 2
Jordan: Both women are set to make their Grand Slam main draw debuts. Lamens did not need to qualify after an impressive end to 2024, while Erjavec qualified after three wins in Melbourne without dropping a set. Although Lamens is higher-ranked, Erjavec’s outstanding level in qualifying makes her the favourite.
Prediction: Erjavec in 2
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Jule Niemeier vs Maja Chwalinska
Ilemona: Maja Chwalinska is currently on an eight match win streak, extending her challenger title win to end the year with a superb run in the qualifying rounds, facing some close shaves. She had too much for Niemeier the last time they met and her game should trouble the German still.
Prediction: Chwalinska in 3
Ateet: Hard court is Niemeier’s worst surface and she has never won a match at the Australian Open. Maja Chwalinska will enter this match with more confidence, having already played three qualifying matches. Niemeier might have the higher upside but her form is concerning.
Prediction: Chwalinska in 3
Jordan: Chwalinska qualified for her second Grand Slam main draw and first since the 2022 Wimbledon Championships in Melbourne. Niemeier is inconsistent, but her firepower is dangerously when it clicks. The German will be too good if she finds her best tennis.
Prediction: Niemeier in 2
Main photo credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
