Ajla Tomljanovic vs Leylah Fernandez Prediction & Betting Tips - Abu Dhabi Open

Prediction published on 31/01/2026, 13:30  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 01/02/2026 at 09:52 in Tennis Predictions

Sixth seed Leylah Annie Fernandez begins her Abu Dhabi Open campaign with a match against wild card Ajla Tomljanovic. For the winner, there's a second round match against either McCartney Kessler or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Time for our match prediction.

Fernandez was a quarter-finalist in this outdoor hard court tournament last year. Two matches were won before the American lost to eventual runner-up Ashlyn Krueger. A repeat of that run would delight her after a poor start to 2026.

All three of her matches played this year have ended in defeat. most recently a loss to Janice Tjen in round one of the Australian Open. Not only is the 23-year-old without a win this year, Fernandez is yet to win a set. Her last two have seen over 19.5 games played.

The one previous match between these two players was won by Tomljanovic but played on grass.

Ajla Tomljanovic is 74th in the live rankings, 49 places below her opponent. The Australian has a 3-3 record this year  and each of her three tournaments has ended in a second round loss with one due to retirement.

Her best win this year was a victory over Clara Tauson.  Each of her last three completed matches (retirements excluded) have seen more than 19.5 games played. We tip that stat to come up here.