We complete the first round of the Australian Open on Day 3, with 20 women’s matches on the schedule. As always, we here at LWOT will share our predictions for all of them with you. Will we see upsets? Close matches? Our writers share their thoughts. We split the 20 matches between five articles, with the rest of the articles featuring Elena Rybakina vs Emerson Jones, Madison Keys vs Ann Li, Jasmine Paolini vs Sijia Wei, and Emma Raducanu vs Ekaterina Alexandrova. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Manuel Traquete, and Ilemona Onekutu. Who do you think will advance?

Australian Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions

Anna Bondar vs Yafan Wang

Jordan:
This is a decent draw for both women although Wang had a surprising run to the fourth round of last year’s US Open. Wang is slightly more adept at her best on hard courts. I will back her to edge out Bondar, who prefers clay.
Prediction: Wang in 2

Manuel:
This should be a very close match, but Wang hasn’t been playing much lately and has been losing when she does. Considering that, Bondar should have a slight edge here, even if it should be a very tightly contested match.
Prediction: Bondar in 3

Ilemona:
Yafan Wang is on a four-match losing streak dating back to the US Open, Bondar’s power and the gritty nature of her game should ensure that streak stretches to five her.
Prediction: Bondar in 2

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Anna Kalinskaya vs Kimberly Birrell

Jordan:
Although Kalinskaya’s results declined somewhat in the final few months of 2024, one thing she consistently did was win her opening round matches. Last year’s Australian Open quarterfinalist will have to be far below her best for that trend to end here. Birrell is a great competitor but lacks a weapon to hurt Kalinskaya.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2

Manuel:
Birrell had a great run through qualifying, will have the home crowd fully backing her and definitely has enough ability to, under these circumstances, produce an upset against a Kalinskaya that has had a rough start to 2025.
Prediction: Birrell in 3

Ilemona:
Kimberly Birrell is one of the qualifiers looking to make a run at this year’s Australian Open and thanks to Kalinskaya’s recent poor room of matches she might succeed. Birrell will be ready to pounce should Kalinskaya not hit top gear from the get go. Expect her to cause an upset here.
Prediction: Birrell in 3

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McCartney Kessler vs Shuai Zhang

Jordan:
Kessler winning her second WTA title in Hobart after being a virtual unknown before August’s maiden triumph in Cleveland is remarkable. It is tough to go against her after how well she played last week. Zhang is capable of great tennis, but does not regularly produce it.
Prediction: Kessler in 2

Manuel:
Kessler has had an amazing start of 2025, with a title in Hobart playing some amazing tennis, while Zhang is one of the lowest ranked players in the draw. Under normal circumstances, Kessler should have a very clear edge here.
Prediction: Kessler in 2

Ilemona:
McCartney Kessler is fresh off of winning her maiden tour level title in Hobart. Maintaining the momentum from that run here at the Australian Open is crucial and the American shouldn’t face too many problems as Zhang looks a shadow of the player who clawed her way to the quarterfinals in Beijing a few months ago.
Prediction: Kessler in 2

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Emma Navarro vs Peyton Stearns

Jordan:
This could be one of the most interesting opening round matches. The higher-ranked Navarro is a better athlete and has more variety. However, Stearns can compete with almost anyone when near her best, as she showed when taking Aryna Sabalenka to a deciding set tiebreak in Indian Wells last year. Something tells me Stearns might rise to the occasion and produce an upset.
Prediction: Stearns in 3

Manuel:
It should be a fascinating matchup between the two young Americans, arguably the highlight of this first round. But while Stearns has been making good progress, Navarro has established herself as a contender and one of the world’s best player. She should definitely be able to come through here.
Prediction: Navarro in 2

Ilemona:
This all-American clash will be the popcorn match as it pits Navarro against Peyton Stearn. Navarro leads their head-to-head, although she is yet to find her best level this year. Stearns will be extra motivated to steal the win from under her compatriot’s grasp, but I back Navarro to have enough to pull through.
Prediction: Navarro in 3

Main Photo Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports