Tomorrow will see the best two women’s players in this year’s edition of the Australian Open do battle.
Ash Barty, the world number one, last year’s Wimbledon champion and a previous French Open winner, is looking to win a third Grand Slam title.
The win would need her needing just the US Open to complete the set, the career Grand Slam.
But more importantly for her and Australia, victory on Saturday would make her the first Australian women to win in Melbourne since 1978.
That was the unseeded Chris O’Neil that won 44 years ago.
Meanwhile, Danielle Collins plays the role of underdog, having made it into her first Grand Slam final.
Her previous best at a Grand Slam was here in Melbourne, back in 2019 when she made the semi’s.
It’s all to play for.
I caught up with our writers to hear their predictions for the match.
Adam Addicott:
I think Barty will win. She will be inspired by her home crowd and has the ability to use her slice, which should contain Collins’ power.
She also has the upper hand when it comes to the experience of playing in the final of major events.
Prediction: Barty in three sets.
Tony Fairbairn:
Ash Barty has looked very impressive this tournament on serve having only been broken once all tournament.
The American’s power game has caused Barty problems in the past and with so much on the line, nerves will play its part at some point.
Despite this, experience should prevail here, with Barty’s mix of slice and spin proving too much for Collins.
Prediction: Barty in three sets.
Elias Laradi:
This match features the world number one and Aussie taking on a player no-one had really expected to be here.
But no one has fought harder to get here than Collins.
Yes, Barty is the favourite, and she is playing at home with history on the line, but it doesn’t mean it will be straight forward.
Barty will need to fight the pressure and the nerves.
But she has so far excelled.
Collins has been playing some strong aggressive tennis and it seems to be working for her.
But will it be enough to stop the best player on the planet?
Another factor is that she is playing in her first ever Grand Slam final and could face a lot of pressure and nerves.
Honestly, my opinion is Barty will be too much for her.
I am hoping for a great match that is super tight with crazy momentum swings.
Prediction: Barty in a tough three sets win, even though she hasn’t lost a set all tournament.
Diego Sampaolo
Ashleigh Barty is the favourite to win the third Grand Slam title of her career on home soil.
Barty can achieve her goal to become the first Australian women’s player to win her home Grand Slam tournament since 1978.
But Collins cannot be underestimated and beat her Australian rival in their most recent head-to-head match in Adelaide.
Prediction: I predict that Barty will win a three-set battle.
James Spencer:
Barty has been imperious all tournament and no-one has had a whiff off taking a set of the Aussie.
That said will nerves potentially knock her off course? They could, but I don’t think they will.
She has an unbelievable mentality where she is not phased. It is what makes her such a good athlete.
Meanwhile, I do think Collins will be the player more shaken by nerves simply because like Elias, Adam and Tony mentioned, she’s never been in this situation before.
But that said, Barty on home soil is the overwhelming favourite, so surely Collins can play with the house money and go out swinging cleanly and freely.
I anticipate that, like her previous six wins in this championship, Barty will continue to crush everything before her.
Prediction: I’m going to stick my neck out and say Barty in straight-sets.
