Australian Open 2015: Predictions for Top Stars in Day 1 Singles Draw
The start of any Grand Slam can bring unexpected early tests for the world's best, and that's the case as the 2015 Australian Open is finally underway.
There's no telling exactly how some of the elite names in tennis will start their seasons. Action in Melbourne is often a great indicator of which players took strides over the offseason, and it can produce some unexpected results.
With that said, many of the top players in action during Day 1 won't be facing opposition capable of taking them down until the later rounds.
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Action on the first day of the Australian Open is already well under way with stars like Rafael Nadal taking the courts, but some enticing matchups loom in the evening. Let's take a look at the Day 1 matchup for three notables, and predict how it will unfold.
Note: Many Day 1 singles matches have already taken place, but following matches begin starting 3 a.m. ET. Full schedule available at AusOpen.com.
No. 2 Roger Federer vs. Yen-Hsun Lu
If 2014 was a year of redemption for Roger Federer, 2015 should be the year he breaks through once again.
There may not have been a more consistent men's player throughout last year than Federer. He climbed the rankings up to No. 2, winning a handful of tournaments and coming painfully close to Grand Slam No. 18 at Wimbledon.
As he descends upon Melbourne, it's yet another tournament to add to his career numbers, as TennisWorldItalia.com's Chiara Gambuzza noted:
Federer will take aim at a potential fifth Australian Open title by beginning play with a first-round matchup against Yen-Hsun Lu.
The Swiss maestro is a perfect 3-0 against Lu for his career, which includes an early-round drubbing at the 2009 Wimbledon. Lu has never made it past the third round in Melbourne, but will have a tough time even staying competitive this time around.
What's more is that Federer—at the ripe age of 33—actually believes he's improving rather than regressing as he inches toward his twilight years.
"I would hope that over the years I've always improved," Federer told AFP, via Economic Times. "I think I'm serving more consistent and stronger than I ever have. I definitely think the racquet has helped me with that as well, my concentration I do believe is there, better than it's ever been and I think my backhand is working better than it has in the past as well."
The 31-year-old Lu has been around the tour for quite some time, yet has still failed to mount any major upset in his Slam career. Don't expect the first to come against Federer.
Prediction: Federer wins: 6-3, 6-4, 6-1
No. 2 Maria Sharapova vs. Petra Martic
Looking to find that extra gear that allowed her to add an elusive fifth Slam title in 2014, Maria Sharapova enters the new year with a golden opportunity in Melbourne.
Last year was a rekindling of sorts for Sharapova, who won the French Open—her second Slam in a six-year span—and continued playing consistently through the end of the year. With Serena Williams seeming not to be at her best entering the tournament, Sharapova might be the best bet.
With her eyes on the big prize, Sharapova should have no trouble getting past overmatched first-round foe Petra Martic.
Sharapova is just 1-0 against Martic for their careers, but is a more polished player in every facet of the game and will waste no time getting her Australian Open quest off to a promising start. As Chris Goldsmith uncovered, nobody is better in return serves than Sharapova:
The Russian won her first tournament of the year before the Australian Open, which marked her first title Down Under since her first title in Melbourne way back in 2008. She'll make a statement in Round 1 to prove her status as a women's favorite.
Prediction: Sharapova wins: 6-1, 6-0
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