Day 2 action is underway at the Moorilla Hobart International. We preview the centre court action and look at the crystal ball to predict a winner.
Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) v Casey Dellacqua (AUS)
The world No.58 taking on the Aussie wildcard. Dellacqua comes to this tournament in form, having won 6 ITF pro tour titles in a row at the end of 2011. Voskoboeva is at a career-high ranking off the back of a solid 2011, reaching her first WTA final and winning an ITF title. Casey will be looking to get off to a good start and use her lefty serve to her advantage as she continues her rise back up the rankings.
VERDICT: Dellacqua in three sets.
Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) (1) v Marina Erakovic (NZL)
The top seed has been hampered by back injuries in the second half of 2011 and is slowly making her way back. A quality player who has been as high as No.12 in the world. Erakovic has a big forehand and won three ITF titles in 2011. The lone New Zealander in the top reaches of the WTA, Erakovic had chances to beat Angelique Kerber before falling in three in her home tournament last week and will be looking to make up for that.
VERDICT: Wickmayer in three sets.
Ashleigh Barty (AUS) v Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA)
The next big thing in Australian (and world) tennis makes her first main draw appearance in a WTA main draw. Had a super impressive 2011 winning Junior Wimbledon and a semifinal appearance at the Junior US Open and earning a wildcard to next week’s Australian Open via the Wildcard Play-off in December. This will be a valuable learning experience for the 15-year-old taking on the finalist here from last year. Mattek-Sands won a match last week at the Hopman Cup, going down to the No.1 and two in the world.
VERDICT: Mattek-Sands in straight sets.
Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) (5) v Ayumi Morita (JPN)
The defending champion has a tricky first up assignment as she looks to regain confidence from a tough Hopman Cup campaign. The head to head is locked at two a piece with Jarka winning their last encounter last year on a hard court in three sets. The world No.49 from Japan is solid from the back of the court and has racked up a number of wins against opponents ranked higher than her. The Aussie will be looking to put pressure on the Morita serve and be prepared to hit plenty of balls as Morita is quick around the court.
VERDICT: Gajdosova in three sets.
Carla Suarez-Navaro (ESP) v Anabel Medina-Garrigues (ESP)
The night session wraps up with an all Spanish clash. The number two seed is more known as a clay courter but likes playing on hard courts. The Fed Cup teammates are locked a one a piece head to head. Medina will be looking to stay away from her Fed Cup teammate’s one handed backhand and will look to use her extensive doubles experience at the net. They know each other’s games pretty well so this will be an interesting clash.
VERDICT: Medina-Garrigues in straight sets.