By Siring Adol Caur
- Mirra Andreeva [14] v Marie Bouzkova
- Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Sloane Stephens
- Alexander Zverev [2] v Lucas Pouille
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will begin her bid for a third consecutive Australian Open title against fellow Grand Slam champion Sloane Stephens on day one of the happy slam.
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Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Sloane Stephens H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Sloane Stephens | H2H: 4-0 Sabalenka |
| Australian Open 2025 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $132,000 |
| Third on Rod Laver Arena (Not before 08:00 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
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Aryna Sabalenka is ready for the first Grand Slam of the season and it is easy to say that she is the favourite to win the title for a third year in a row as she has already won the warm up tournament at Brisbane, dropping only one set in the final against Polina Kudermetova. She will face a hard-court grand slam winner, Sloane Stephens for the first-time after 2023.
Stephens has lost 14 of the last 16 matches she has played and is ranked 84 in the world. The American’s form needs to be strengthened as she has not had a promising start to the new season, with a first round exit at both Auckland and Hobart.
After winning two grand slams on hard courts in 2024, the world number one has got the upcoming game on her hands as an easy task. Having an advantage of her height, she would hit some aggressive forehands that the American might not have answer to. Her footwork can help, but the height disadvantage will push her deeper to come forward and play a swift game.
Prediction: Sabalenka in straight sets.
Alexander Zverev [2] v Lucas Pouille H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Alexander Zverev [2] v Lucas Pouille | H2H: First Meeting |
| Australian Open 2025 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $132,000 |
| Fourth on Rod Laver Arena (Not before 09:30 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
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The 2024 semi-finalist, Alexander Zverev, is set to take on Lucas Pouille for the first time. He had played at the United Cup, and managed to win the first two matches against Thiago Monteiro of Brazil and Zhizhen Zhang of China. He is in the necessary form after winning the Paris Masters in November. His aggressive game on a hard surface always makes way for a fast-paced game for his opponent.
Pouille has been on the winning side for 19 out of 25 matches he has played after the grass season and has won a Challenger title at home, surprisingly facing only his countrymen in all rounds and later reaching the finals at another. His aggressive game is highly suitable for hard courts.
As the two have never faced one another, it will be an enthralling aggressive game as both players have an aggressive style and chase the ball deep to extend the volleys. Pouille being an all court player would bring his A game forward to face the German, having warmed up for the first round of the Grand Slam while Zverev is determined to finally win a slam to his name this year and would play a rigorous game.
Prediction: Zverev in four sets
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Mirra Andreeva [14] v Marie Bouzkova H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Mirra Andreeva [14] v Marie Bouzkova | H2H: First Meeting |
| Australian Open 2025 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $132,000 |
| First on John Cain Arena (Not before 00:00 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
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Day one of Australian Open begins with the top half of the women’s draw and bottom half of the men’s draw being played. The teenager Mirra Andreeva will face Marie Bouzkova for the first time in their first-round match.
Andreeva has had a moderately successful 2024, while not reaching the second week of any Grand Slam, but winning the silver in Women’s Doubles at the Paris Olympics with Diana Shnaider. Having lost to Sabalenka, the eventual Brisbane champion, she became a semi-finalist, defeating Ons Jabeur in straight sets in the quarter-final.
Bouzkova has started the Australian swing being a quarter-finalist at Brisbane, losing to, again the eventual champion Sabalenka. With a consistent serve, she can outlast her opponent. She had dropped only one set at Brisbane in the first three matches.
Andreeva will play her aggressive game with sharp backhands down the line, a style she has recently changed from being a baseliner to an aggressive player since she is being coached by Conchita Martínez. She has her double expertise to bring on the front and capitalise on it. While this looks an aggressive match-up, long volleys and intense shots are expected to be played, as the Czech would outlast opponent with great coverage and defensive skills on the court.
Prediction: Andreeva in three sets.
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