The first Grand Slam of this year is here as 256 singles players have descended upon Melbourne to compete for the Australian Open title. Day 1 kicks off with 16 women’s matches, including Emma Raducanu vs Mananchaya Sawangkaew. Our other prediction articles feature Aryna Sabalenka vs Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah, Jasmine Paolini vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich, and Venus Williams vs Olga Danilovic. Offering their insights and predictions are Zain Mustafa, Ateet Shrivastava, and Ilemona Onekutu. But who will advance?
Australian Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Maria Sakkari vs Leolia Jeanjean
Zain
Despite an early loss in Adelaide, Sakkari’s level at the United Cup was an overall positive for a player whose confidence looked shot for long stretches recently. While Jeanjean can grind out matches due to her slow game style, on a faster surface, it should not cause Sakkari enough trouble to make her lose two sets.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Ilemona
Sakkari’s athleticism and intensity tend to shine in physical matches, and she’s well-suited to grinding out points in these conditions. Over time, that pressure should wear Jeanjean down.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Ateet
Maria Sakkari showed flashes of her best level at the United Cup, and she can have a resurgent season if she can consistently bring that level in her matches. Sakkari gets a lot of support in Australia, which should give her added motivation to perform at her best.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Zhuoxuan Bai
Zain
Both players enter this with not much, if anything, to lose. Pavlyuchenkova, the more known commodity on tour, can impose her will, stay aggressive on her forehand, and put this match on her racket. But against a younger, more motivated opponent in Bai, who has come through qualies, the match might get tight and ultimately see the qualifier come through.
Prediction: Bai in 3
Ilemona
Pavlyuchenkova’s experience on big stages shows in her shot selection and ability to manage momentum swings. If she keeps her depth consistent, she should stay a step ahead.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Ateet
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova will play her 18th main draw at the Australian Open and is defending quarterfinal points. She struggled after the Australian Open in 2025, but her experience in big tournaments should be enough to get a win against world No. 697 Bai Zhuoxuan, who was sidelined by injuries for much of 2025.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Veronika Kudermetova vs Guiomar Maristany Zuleta De Reales
Zain
Maristany Zuleta De Reales did really well to come through qualifying after back-to-back battles, but this is a player whose game is more suited to slower clay courts than it is to faster hard courts. Kudermetova, on the other hand, is known for her attacking brand of tennis, something this surface should reward.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Ilemona
Kudermetova’s aggressive mindset and willingness to step inside the baseline suit the hard courts in Melbourne. That intent should allow her to take control of key exchanges.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Ateet
Polina Kudermetova had a positive run to the finals of the WTA 125 tournament in Canberra. She is seeking her maiden main-draw win at the Australian and should be the favourite in this match.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Emma Raducanu vs Mananchaya Sawangkaew
Zain
Fan favourite Raducanu has had as turbulent a start to the season as she could have, after entering the year on the back of a solid 2025 campaign. But against Sawangkaew, who last played a match on tour at the French Open, the Brit’s floor should be able to see her through.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Ilemona
Raducanu’s clean timing and court coverage give her the edge in controlling baseline exchanges. If she stays patient and limits errors, she should steadily pull away.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Ateet
Emma Raducanu would have loved to arrive in a better form at the Australian Open, but she has a good opener against Mananchaya Sawangkaew, who is making her Grand Slam debut. If Raducanu is healthy, she should win this comfortably.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – Imagn Images