Australian Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions Including Emma Raducanu vs Mananchaya Sawangkaew

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 Emma Raducanu vs Mananchaya Sawangkaew. Our other prediction articles feature Aryna Sabalenka vs Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah, Jasmine Paolini vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich, 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

Maria Sakkari vs Leolia Jeanjean

Zain
Despite an early loss in Adelaide, Sakkari’s level at the United Cup was an overall positive for a player whose confidence looked shot for long stretches recently. While Jeanjean can grind out matches due to her slow gamestyle, on a faster surface it should not cause Sakkari enough trouble to make her lose two sets.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3

Ilemona
Sakkari’s athleticism and intensity tend to shine in physical matches, and she’s well suited to grinding out points in these conditions. Over time, that pressure should wear Jeanjean down.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Zhuoxuan Bai

Zain
Both players enter this with not much, if anything, to lose. Pavlyuchenkova, the more known commodity on tour, can impose her will, stay aggressive on her forehand, and put this match on her racket. But against a younger, more motivated opponent in Bai, who has come through qualies, the match might get tight and ultimately see the qualifier come through.
Prediction: Bai in 3

Ilemona
Pavlyuchenkova’s experience on big stages shows in her shot selection and ability to manage momentum swings. If she keeps her depth consistent, she should stay a step ahead.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3

Veronika Kudermetova vs Guiomar Maristany Zuleta De Reales

Zain
Maristany Zuleta De Reales did really well to come through qualifying after back-to-back battles, but this is a player whose game is more suited to slower clay courts than it is to faster hard courts. Kudermetova, on the other hand, is known for her attacking brand of tennis, something this surface should reward.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2

Ilemona
Kudermetova’s aggressive mindset and willingness to step inside the baseline suit the hard courts in Melbourne. That intent should allow her to take control of key exchanges.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2

Emma Raducanu vs Mananchaya Sawangkaew

Zain
Fan favourite Raducanu has had as turbulent a start to the season as she could have, after entering the year on the back of a solid 2025 campaign. But against Sawangkaew, who last played a match on tour at the French Open, the Brit’s floor should be able to see her through.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2

Ilemona
Raducanu’s clean timing and court coverage give her the edge in controlling baseline exchanges. If she stays patient and limits errors, she should steadily pull away.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2