Australian Open 2025 Day 2: Women's singles predictions ft. Victoria Azarenka vs Lucia Bronzetti, Karolina Muchova vs Nadia Podoroska

First-round matches will continue on Day 2 of the Australian Open 2025. The first day didn't go as planned due to heavy rains, which caused quite a few matches to be delayed, and eventually cancelled.

Mirra Andreeva was the very first winner of this year's edition, and she beat Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-3 to reach the second round. Last year's runner-up Zheng Qinwen needed to dig deep to clinch the first set against qualifier Anca Todoni. However, she ran away with the match after that with a 7-6 (3), 6-1 win to book her place in the next round.

More players will aim to join them in the second round on Monday. With that in mind, here's a look at the predictions for a few women's singles matches lined up on Day 2 of the Australian Open:

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#1 - Victoria Azarenka vs Lucia Bronzetti

Azarenka lost to Bouzkova in the third round of the Brisbane International, her only tournament prior to the season's first Major. Bronzetti, meanwhile, is yet to win a main draw match this year, losing to Madison Keys and Renata Zarazua in her ASB Classic and Hobart International openers.

Azarenka had a 30-15 record last year and has a 50-14 record at the Australian Open, including two titles. Bronzetti has won only one match across her three previous appearances in Melbourne and had a 21-27 record at the main draw level in 2024. The Belarusian is the clear favorite to win their very first encounter given their recent results and prior performances Down Under.

Predicted winner: Victoria Azarenka

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#2 - Diana Shnaider vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto

Diana Shnaider is the 12th seed at the Australian Open 2025. (Photo: Getty)

Shnaider had a busy couple of weeks prior to the Australian Open 2025. While she failed to win a singles match at the Brisbane International, she teamed up with Mirra Andreeva in doubles and the duo went on to win the title. She advanced to the quarterfinals in singles at the Adelaide International the following week.

Cocciaretto lost 7-5, 6-0 to Veronika Kudermetova in the first round of the Hobart International, her only warm-up event prior to the Melbourne Major. After crashing out in the first round of the Australian Open thrice, the Italian finally scored a win and advanced to the second round last year, where she lost to Emma Navarro.

Shnaider lost in the second round here on her debut in 2023 but fell at the first hurdle last year. The two have crossed paths twice on the WTA Tour, with each player winning once. The Russian won their most recent encounter at last year's Paris Olympics in straight sets.

Cocciaretto needed three sets to beat Shnaider in Birmingham a few weeks before that. The latter advanced to the fourth round of the US Open last year and won four titles as well. Her star is on the rise and is the frontrunner to win this match.

Predicted winner: Diana Shnaider

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#3 - Karolina Muchova vs Nadia Podoroska

Following an injury layoff, Muchova returned to action in July 2024. She hardly needed any time to get back to her winning ways. She reached the semifinals of the US Open, and was the runner-up at the Palermo Open and the China Open. She participated in the United Cup to prepare for this year's Australian Open.

Muchova beat Malene Helgo during the group stage but lost to Iga Swiatek. Nevertheless, her team advanced to the quarterfinals, where she defeated World No. 4 Jasmine Paolini. She then lost to Coco Gauff in the semifinals, and the Czech team were eliminated from the tournament.

Podoroska was also at the United Cup, though her team bowed out in the group stage. She scored a win over Olivia Gadecki and lost against Katie Boulter. She crossed paths with Muchova at the French Open 2023 and pushed her to three sets before going down. The match won't be that close this time considering they will be playing on hardcourts, coupled with the Czech's form.

Predicted winner: Karolina Muchova

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#4 - Ons Jabeur vs Anhelina Kalinina

Ons Jabeur at the Australian Open 2025. (Photo: Getty)

Jabeur shut down her 2024 season after the US Open in order to recover from injuries that plagued her the entire year. She returned to action at this year's Brisbane International, and reached the quarterfinals. She lost in the second round of the Adelaide International a week later.

Kalinina also competed in Brisbane, where she made the semifinals. Her best result at the Australian Open is a third-round showing in 2023, the only time she made it past the first round as well. Jabeur, meanwhile, reached the quarterfinals here in 2020.

Jabeur also has a 2-0 record against Kalinina. She beat her comfortably at the Charleston Open 2022 in straight sets but needed three sets to down her at the Cincinnati Open 2023. Both players are trying to regroup after an underwhelming 2024, though the Tunisian will be favored to come out on top in this encounter based on her winning record against her rival.

Predicted winner: Ons Jabeur