The first day of WTA action in Hobart will see seven matches on the cards, including an encounter between 2023 runner-up Elisabetta Cocciaretto and a Japanese player, Ayano Shimizu. It is among the four matches we take a look at in this piece and predict who will make it to the next round. We also predict the rest of the matches in a separate article.

WTA Hobart Day 1 Predictions
Solana Sierra vs Caty McNally

Head–to–Head: First Meeting

Solana Sierra impressed at the United Cup, testing big hitters and gaining valuable Hobart preparation. The Argentine, battle-hardened after facing Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic, now meets Caty McNally for the first time.

McNally progressed through qualifying without dropping a set after an early defeat in Auckland and has been steadily climbing back toward the Top 50 following a lengthy absence in 2023–24.

This should be a tight contest: both players are strong on hard courts and already have match play under their belts, which could push it to a deciding set with the American staying resolute to get over the line.
Prediction: McNally in 3

Elisabetta Cocciaretto vs Ayano Shimizu

Head–to–Head: First Meeting

Elisabetta Cocciaretto opened 2026 brightly with a win in Auckland and swept through qualifying in Hobart without dropping a set. She faces a Japanese qualifier ranked 330 places below her, who has never won a main-draw WTA match.

Ayano Shimizu, 27, also progressed through qualifying to snap a four-match losing run in lower-tier events, but her top-level track record suggests this will be a steep hurdle against Cocciaretto’s current form.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 2

Hailey Baptiste vs Renata Zarazua

Head–to–Head: Baptiste 1 – 0 Zarazua

Renata Zarazua surged through qualifying and reached Brisbane’s second round, even knocking out Sloane Stephens along the way. The world No. 77 has won 13 of her last 14 matches at various levels, building confidence and making her a tricky draw.

Baptiste opened 2026 with a straight-sets loss in Brisbane and has won only once in her last seven matches, dating back to last season. She is currently on a four-match skid, though Baptiste did beat Zarazua in their most recent meeting.

Momentum and confidence tilt toward the Mexican, though Baptiste remains capable of pulling off a win herself
Prediction: Zarazua in 3

Ann Li vs Katie Volynets

Head–to–Head:  Li 0 – 1 Volynets

Ann Li hopes to be third time lucky against Katie Volynets. The fourth seed, Li, has lost both previous clashes with Volynets, including a 6-4 6-3 Auckland setback last year.

Volynets is flirting with dropping out of the Top 100 after a tough spell late last season, but he has started the season with two solid wins to enter the main draw.

Li must shake off early rust to avoid repeating that pattern against a foe who often gets the better of her, but it seems unlikely, as the younger American has two wins under her belt in Hobart and should have her compatriot’s number again.
Prediction: Volynets in 3

Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports