An Australian storm

Storm and his audience..

… will they manage to overcome the Spaniard? Storm Hunter has a huge amount of experience, with more than 20 years spent on court, and remains above all a doubles specialist. Ten WTA titles to her name, including a recent one in Wuhan in 2025, a WTA 1000, alongside the world number 1. Her qualifying run was masterful: three aggressive players beaten without dropping a single set. Hunter is also highly appreciated by the crowd. She’s clearly a player to watch tonight.

Her doubles game really hits the mark. She comes to the net a lot, which causes a huge amount of disruption, with an attacking, forward-moving style and an XXL counterpunching ability. Often clutch in key moments, especially in tight games.

Bouzas Maneiro, for her part, hasn’t really had time to prove anything at the start of this year, apart from a win over a still-not-quite-tuned-up Coco Gauff at the United Cup, before falling in the first round in Hobart against another local player, Preston. She is above all a clay-court specialist and is coming off a blank year in terms of results.

I think she may well be caught off guard by a local player in great shape, capable of matching her power. With a capacity of 5,000 spectators, I’m convinced the Kia Arena will be full and will get behind Storm.