The second round wraps up on Day 5 of the Australian Open. We have 16 women’s singles matches on deck to decide who reaches Round 3. As always, our writers at LastWordOnTennis share their thoughts on the matches. We split the 16 matches between four articles. In addition to this article, the others feature Iga Swiatek vs Marie Bouzkova, Amanda Anisimova vs Katerina Siniakova, and Madison Keys vs Ashlyn Krueger. Predicting these matches are Nurein Ahmed, Zain Mustafa, and Jordan Reynolds. Who do you think will advance to Round 3?
Australian Open Day 5 Women’s Predictions
Elise Mertens vs Moyuka Uchijima
Nurein:
Uchijima beat an in-form Solana Sierra quite convincingly and that result might just give Mertens some thinking to do. That said, the Belgian remains resolute and gritty on this surface and any hesitation to finish points by Uchijima will be punished.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Zain:
On a fast hard court, Moyuka Uchijima’s playstyle can be a tough task, but Elise Mertens is just too experienced and too complete from the baseline to be overwhelmed by Uchijima’s attacking style of play.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Jordan:
Mertens is consistently solid without having an additional gear to seriously challenge for Grand Slams. Against opponents like Uchijima in the opening two rounds of Grand Slams, the Belgian tends to be very good. I doubt she will fumble here.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Linda Noskova vs Taylah Preston
Nurein:
Preston capitalized on her recent momentum to secure a maiden main draw win at her home Slam. But this is where the journey will likely come to an end. Noskova will bring a higher level of control from start to finish. The Czech is third round bound.
Prediction: Noskova in 2
Zain:
A match between two aggressive players; while Taylah Preston will have a home crowd behind her, Linda Noskova is the more complete and higher-level player between the two and should be able to dictate the tempo of this match enough to come through.
Prediction: Noskova in 2
Jordan:
Preston will have the home fans behind her, which gives her a better chance of causing an upset. That is unlikely to be enough in this contest though. Noskova possesses a much more formidable game and could win without being at her very best.
Prediction: Noskova in 2
Jessica Pegula vs McCartney Kessler
Nurein:
This is as tough as they come for Jessica Pegula, but if she can survive the early onslaught, she will read the patterns, take time away, and overpower Kessler.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Zain:
These doubles partners are well acquainted with each other’s games, and no surprises should be expected. While McCartney Kessler’s all-court game can challenge players if they have a baseline weakness, Jessica Pegula is one of the most consistent baseliners and counterpunchers on Tour and should win this match.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Jordan:
I expect Kessler to make this a competitive match. Like Pegula, she plays her best tennis on hard-courts, and does not show fear against any opponent. However, that does not stop Pegula from being the most likely winner.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Naomi Osaka vs Sorana Cirstea
Nurein:
Osaka’s eye-catching outfit before her first round match grabbed people’s attention and the Japanese star ensured she delivered a performance to match it. If Osaka stays composed in the pressure moments, exactly what she did against Ruzic, I fancy her to make the third round.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Zain:
Naomi Osaka had a close call in her first-round match, which came down to the wire. Sorana Cirstea, on the other hand, pulled off an upset in her match, but despite the seeming difference in confidence after their first matches, Osaka’s game is tailor-made for these courts, and she should now have shaken off her rust to look ahead to a deep run here in Melbourne.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Jordan:
Cirstea’s fighting spirit to beat Eva Lys was impressive. The two-time Australian Open champion’s game will be a completely different test. Osaka is one of the WTA players who hits harder than Cirstea off both wings, and that generates a problem for the Romanian, who struggles in defense.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
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