22 and counting

Predicted Winners in BOLD

[5] Karolina Pliskova (CZE) vs. Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) – In early January, someone on twitter asked me who I thought might win the Australian Open.  I mentioned Pliskova and Halep as options.  Bad news for Pliskova?

[2] Serena Williams (USA) vs Belinda Bencic (SUI) – This is not an easy draw, but I think if Serena’s error total stays in a decent range that she will win in straight sets.

[3] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) vs Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) – Pironkova has a puncher’s chance, but this match would likely be more fun on grass.

[9] Johanna Konta (GBR) vs Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) – Flipkins has had some success in Melbourne so this could be interesting, but Konta should advance.

[18] Samantha Stosur (AUS) vs Heather Watson (GBR) – Stosur has never been overly reliable in her home slam.

[22] Daria Gavrilova (AUS) vs Naomi Broady (GBR) – Gavrilova could do some damage at this event.

[6] Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) vs. Denisa Allertova (CZE) – Cibulkova ended 2016 with a huge title and has typically played well in Melbourne.  

[17] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) vs. [WC] Arina Rodionova (AUS) – The Wizard of Woz may be in for a battle.  

[21] Caroline Garcia (FRA) vs Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) – This should be a fun match!

[16] Barbora Strycova (CZE) vs. Elizaveta Kulichkova (RUS) – The Czech Armada is always a factor.

Lucie Safarova (CZE) vs Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) – This could be a 3 set duel.

[14] Elena Vesnina (RUS)  vs. [Q] Ana Bogdan (ROU) – Bogdan should be match tough, but I think Vesnina advances

Johanna Larsson (SWE) vs Jennifer Brady (USA) – US women had a good day yesterday. Will that carry over to today?

Andrea Petkovic (GER) vs. [WC] Kayla Day (USA) 

[30] Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) vs Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS) – Russian battle royal

Danka Kovinic (MNE) vs. Saisai Zheng (CHN)

Naomi Osaka (JPN) vs [WC] Luksika Kumkhum (THA)

Sara Errani (ITA) vs. Risa Ozaki (JPN)

Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) vs Lin Zhu (CHN)

Irina Falconi (USA) vs. Xinyun Han (CHN)

Mandy Minella (LUX) vs.Magda Linette (POL)

Donna Vekic (CRO) vs. [WC] Lizette Cabrera (AUS)

[12] Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) vs Camila Giorgi (ITA) – Swiss Miss 

Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR) vs. Océane Dodin (FRA)

[28] Alizé Cornet (FRA) vs. [WC] Myrtille Georges (FRA) – Cornet is talented and a bit taxing on her opposition.  

Maria Sakkari (GRE) vs. Anett Kontaveit (EST)

Monica Niculescu (ROU) vs [Q] Anna Blinkova (RUS) – She should be match tough so I’ll pick an upset.

Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) vs. Qiang Wang (CHN) – A veteran pick

[25] Timea Babos (HUN) vs. Nicole Gibbs (USA)

[31]  Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) vs Lara Arruabarrena (ESP)

Karin Knapp (ITA) vs. Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE) – Knapp is a crafty veteran, but is there a time when being a veteran is a detriment?  Is Knapp at that point of her career?

Ana Konjuh (CRO) vs. Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) – This should be a fun match.