Australian Open Day 2 Women’s Predictions Including Iga Swiatek vs Yuan Yue

It promises to be an entertaining second day at the Australian Open with 28 matches on the slate, including Coco Gauff vs Kamilla Rakhimova, Amanda Anisimova vs Simona Waltert, Mirra Andreeva vs Donna Vekic, Jessica Pegula vs Anastasia Zakharova, Barbora Krejcikova vs Diana Shnaider, and Victoria Mboko vs Emerson Jones. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, but who will reach the second round?

Australian Open Day 2 Predictions

Iga Swiatek vs Yuan Yue

Zain: While Iga Swiatek did not have the start to 2026 many expected, she is still a top force on tour, and against players such as Yue Yuan, who do not have a clear advantage, a straightforward outing is expected.

Prediction: Swiatek in 2

Jordan: Yuan usually tries to play attacking tennis. That style generally troubles Swiatek the most, but the Chinese player does not have enough power to significantly trouble the world #2. Only a very poor performance would stop Swiatek from progressing.

Prediction: Swiatek in 2

Nurein: Swiatek’s quest for the career Grand Slam begins here. A first-round match against Yuan Yue is unlikely to be an obstacle. The Pole dropped just three games when they played in Beijing last year and I expect another dominant performance from the Pole.

Prediction: Swiatek in 2

Ajla Tomljanovic vs Yulia Starodubtseva

Zain: If fitness is guaranteed, Ajla Tomljanovic should be able to impose her patterns in this match again. With that doubt, Yuliia Starodubtseva does have a chance to win this one, but her uber-aggressive style might come back to haunt her.

Prediction: Tomljanovic in 3

Jordan: Starodubtseva is a player who should have achieved more by now with her talent. When her game is flowing, the Ukrainian’s powerful groundstrokes are challenging to handle. Although she is inconsistent, I favour Starodubtseva more against Tomljanovic, who has consistently underperformed at her home Grand Slam for many years.

Prediction: Starodubtseva in 2

Nurein: Tomljanovic was almost in tears when she retired in Adelaide due to a shoulder injury, which can be painful. In the last few years, the 32-year-old has never played a full season without worrying about her body breaking down. This match should be on her racket and the question is whether her body will cooperate.

Prediction: Tomljanovic in 2

Clara Tauson vs Dalma Galfi

Zain: Dalma Galfi did exceptionally well to once again break into the top 100, but even against an injury-risk Clara Tauson, the increase in the level of competition might be a step too far.

Prediction: Tauson in 2

Jordan: Galfi will need to curb some of her attacking instincts and be willing to defend for significant periods against Tauson’s huge groundstrokes. That type of match does not naturally suit her, and she could find it hard to stay disciplined. That makes Tauson the likely winner.

Prediction: Tauson in 2

Nurein: There was too much noise about Clara Tauson being a dark horse at last year’s Australian Open after winning in Auckland. While the hype has simmered down this time, largely because of her recent retirement in Adelaide, Tauson will still be a threat. Dalma Galfi can keep this competitive, but Tauson’s power is overwhelming and effective.

Prediction: Tauson in 2

Elizabeth Mandlik vs Anna Bondar

Zain: Anna Bondar enters this match in better form, and if she keeps her aggressive baseline play going, even on a surface she does not prefer, she should be able to overcome Elizabeth Mandlik.

Prediction: Bondar in 3

Jordan: Mandlik will try to win her second Grand Slam main draw match and first in over three years in this match. Bondar is not a flashy player, but has built a solid career by using what she has effectively. The Hungarian’s experience may be what decides this one.

Prediction: Bondar in 3

Nurein: The only worry for Mandlik is that she has not played a lot of tennis this month. But I think she has a higher ceiling, and on a hard court, she has great footwork and ground stroke power to hit more winners. That said, Bondar has enjoyed a fine start to the year with four wins from six matches and the conditions might eventually favor the Hungarian.

Prediction: Bondar in 3