Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Australian Open match.
The Japanese player endured a grueling match against Magda Linette, clinching victory in a third-set tiebreak, while the Russian comfortably dispatched Marie Bouzková in straight sets. Uchijima is making her debut in the second round at Melbourne, having already achieved her best-ever result at this tournament. She now faces the promising Andreeva, who last season reached the round of 16 and is clearly aiming for even greater achievements.
Moyuka Uchijima
Ranked 63rd in the WTA, with a career-high ranking of 55, Uchijima caused an upset in the first round by defeating the seasoned Magda Linette (4:6, 6:2, 7:6). However, this victory was hard-fought. The final set became a thriller: the Pole led 3:0, served for the match at 5:3, and even had match points, but Uchijima mounted a remarkable comeback. She trailed the tiebreak (5:7) but ultimately won the crucial points to advance. Such an energy-draining match likely impacted her physical condition. Moreover, Uchijima's record against top-20 players is poor, losing all five previous encounters in straight sets.
Mirra Andreeva
Andreeva is currently ranked 15th globally. In the first round, she confidently beat Bouzkova (6:3, 6:3), maintaining control even under tough indoor conditions due to rain. Andreeva posted impressive stats on serve (59% points won) and return (57%), with a balanced winners-to-unforced-errors ratio (12-12) indicating her stable play. The Russian already boasts a successful history at the Australian Open, reaching the round of 16 last year, where she notably defeated Ons Jabeur, a former world number two.
Moyuka Uchijima vs Mirra Andreeva Prediction
The favourite here is clear. Mirra Andreeva possesses tremendous potential, a reliable serve, and strong performance on hard courts. In contrast, Uchijima expended considerable effort in the first round and historically struggles against top-tier opponents. Additionally, Andreeva had more recovery time, having played her match on Saturday night. Therefore, we'll back a win for Mirra Andreeva with a handicap.
