- Paula Badosa [8] v Ajla Tomljanovic
- Matteo Berrettini [7] v Brandon Nakashima
- Sofia Kenin [11] v Madison Keys
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – 2022 titlists, grand slam finalists, former champions and a home favourite headline the opening day of this year’s Australian Open.
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Paula Badosa [8] v Ajla Tomljanovic H2H & Match Fundamentals
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Paula Badosa [8] v Ajla Tomljanovic |
H2H: Badosa leads 1-0 |
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Australian Open 2022 |
Melbourne, Australia |
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Hard (O) |
Prize Money: A$90,000 |
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Fifth on Margaret Court Arena (10:30 GMT) |
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Paula Badosa is arguably the most in-form WTA player of the last six months with the Spaniard winning her first WTA1000 title in Indian Wells last October and now winning Sydney last week has seen her climb into the top eight in the world. Badosa’s consistent power from the back of the court mixed with great agility sees her as one of the more dangerous players in the draw. Can she make a deep run in Melbourne and seize the opportunity?
Standing in Badosa’s way is home favourite Ajla Tomljanovic who also had a vastly improved year last year pushing the likes of Naomi Osaka and Simona Halep in tough matches as well as reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon last year. The Australian’s good defensive skillset mixed with improving returns always sees her a threat to anyone on her day.
The duo met in Sydney last week where Badosa came out on top in rather comfortable fashion. Although the result is expected to be the same, it is expected that Tomljanovic will push the Spaniard to her limits in front of a raucous Australian crowd. However Tomljanovic’s nerves in big moments will cost her against a ruthless Badosa.
Prediction: Badosa in three sets.
Matteo Berrettini [7] v Brandon Nakashima H2H & Match Fundamentals
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Matteo Berrettini [7] v Brandon Nakashima |
H2H: First meeting |
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Australian Open 2022 |
Melbourne, Australia |
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Hard (O) |
Prize Money: A$90,000 |
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Second on Margaret Court Arena (01:30 GMT) |
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Matteo Berrettini cemented his place in the top eight in 2021 with a consistent season throughout, reaching the final of Wimbledon as well as deep runs at Roland Garros and US Open. The Italian will look to meet rising expectations in 2022 and with Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal from this year’s edition, Berrettini will feel that he can go all the way in Melbourne.
Berrettini’s first obstacle though is a tough one in talented rising star Brandon Nakashima. The athletic American burst on the scene early in the American swing with back to back finals in Los Cabos and Atlanta beating the likes of John Isner and Milos Raonic. Nakashima’s returning qualities and defensive transition makes him a threat to any player, is now the time for his major breakthrough?
Tactically this will be a tough match for the Italian against a player who can expose an opponent’s weaknesses like Nakashima and has a good return like the American. However Berrettini’s experience and overall firepower should edge into the second round.
Prediction: Berrettini in five sets.
Sofia Kenin [11] v Madison Keys H2H & Match Fundamentals
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Sofia Kenin [11] v Madison Keys |
H2H: Keys leads 2-1 |
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Australian Open 2022 |
Melbourne, Australia |
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Hard (O) |
Prize Money: A$90,000 |
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Third on John Cain Arena (Not before 6am GMT) |
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Sofia Kenin enters the 2022 season short in confidence after an injury-struck second half of the season and disappointing results in the first half of the season. A couple of wins in Adelaide though should give her a boost ahead of the first grand slam of the season. Can Kenin return to form at the venue of her only grand slam win?
It won’t be an easy first match for Kenin as she takes on big-hitting Madison Keys in the opening week. Like Kenin, Keys also had a torrid 2021 season but has hit form in a big way in the first weeks of the season with a title in Adelaide last week. The American is more relaxed and more dangerous than she has ever been before, can that translate in a deep run in Melbourne?
This is a bad match-up for Kenin unless she has one of the performances of her life with the former grand slam champion needing to defend better than she has ever done before. Keys will look to be aggressive on any short balls while reigning in her power when needed. At the moment an in-form Keys can beat anyone and this should be a straight sets win for the former US Open finalist.
Prediction: Keys in straight sets.
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