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 Jasmine Paolini vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Our other prediction articles feature Aryna Sabalenka vs Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah, Emma Raducanu vs Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 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
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Zeynep Sonmez
Zain
Alexandrova is another heavy hitter on tour, who might not have started the year the way she would have liked to but goes into most matches being on her racket. Against the talented Sonmez, she won’t get things easy, but she should still have enough firepower to get a much-needed victory.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Ilemona
Alexandrova’s flat hitting and serve are major weapons in Melbourne, particularly against opponents still adjusting to the pace. If she keeps points short, she should stay in control.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Ateet
Ekaterina Alexandrova enjoyed her best season in 2025 and has high expectations to keep playing at a top 10 level. However, meeting those expectations is always difficult, and she hasn’t looked like herself so far this season. She has never performed well at this tournament, and facing an in-form opponent in the first round isn’t ideal. I am going with an upset here.
Prediction: Sonmez in 3
Anna Blinkova vs Talia Gibson
Zain
On the site where she had the result of her life two years ago, Blinkova enters the match as the player with the higher-upside game and expectations to win, despite not being in the best of form. However, she will not only be facing local up-and-comer Gibson, but also the entire crowd, and in such situations, especially while being short on match wins, things can get tricky.
Prediction: Blinkova in 3
Ilemona
Gibson’s energy could lift the crowd, but Blinkova’s experience and ability to redirect pace give her steadiness in the longer rallies. That reliability should prove decisive late in sets.
Prediction: Blinkova in 2
Ateet
Anna Blinkova ended her 2025 season in style, winning the title in Jiujiang, but her 2026 season has not started ideally. Blinkova lost in straight sets in both her matches so far, and playing a local player in the first round won’t be easy.
Prediction: Gibson in 3
Anastasia Potapova vs Suzan Lamens
Zain
This could be one of the more closely contested first-round match-ups on Sunday, likely coming down to which player’s forehand has the more productive day, as both Lamens and Potapova can cause real damage from that wing. Ultimately, the latter’s overall skill set on what should be a slick hard court gives her the edge.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
Ilemona
Potapova’s aggression off both wings allows her to seize momentum quickly on hard courts. Lamens may hang around early, but sustaining that against consistent pressure is tough.
Prediction: Potapova in 2
Ateet
Neither player arrives in this match with any sort of momentum, but Anastasia Potapova is an experienced player who can dominate with her aggressive game on hard courts and should win this one.
Prediction: Potapova in 2
Jasmine Paolini vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Zain
Paolini is now firmly a top 10 player on the WTA Tour, after back-to-back great seasons. Sasnovich, who qualified for the main draw, is a player who likely has her best tennis behind her at this stage. Expect the Italian’s baseline consistency and reliability to be too much here.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Ilemona
Paolini’s consistency and improved hard-court defense make her difficult to rush, especially over extended exchanges. Sasnovich will need to take risks, and that could swing the balance.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Ateet
No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini has a tough opening match as qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich looks in good touch and has the advantage of having played multiple matches in these conditions. Paolini can not afford to be off her game.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports