Predicted Winners in BOLD

ROD LAVER ARENA

[6] Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) vs. [30] Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) – Had Cibulkova not won the season finale, I’d lean toward Makarova or see it as a 50-50 match.  I think Cibulkova continues to ride the wave of her big title last Fall and he history of playing well in Australia.

[2] Serena Williams (USA) vs Nicole Gibbs (USA) – Serena seems like the favorite through 2 rounds.

[12] Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) vs [22] Daria Gavrilova (AUS) – This pick may be a reach, but I think Gavrilova can pull the upset.

MARGARET COURT ARENA

[16] Barbora Strycova (CZE) vs [21] Caroline Garcia (FRA)

[9] Johanna Konta (GBR) vs [17] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)

[5] Karolina Pliskova (CZE) vs Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) – Pliskova has also looked very strong through 2 rounds.  

SHOW COURT 2

[14] Elena Vesnina (RUS) vs [Q] Jennifer Brady (USA)

SHOW COURT 3 (not before noon)

Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) vs Maria Sakkari (GRE) – I think this rema