We had some rain on Day 2 and play will get a little crowded on Wednesday, but we our back to predict three of the scheduled women’s second-round matches of the day. Predicting today are editors Steen Kirby and Sam Barker, and LWOS contributor Finn Ranson.
Panelists’ Predictions 2016 Wimbledon Women’s Day 3
Kirsten Flipkens vs Madison Keys
Finn:
Flipkens has had a quite frankly unpredictable month. After crashing out of Roland Garros at the hands of Alize Cornet 6-1 6-0, she then lost to a qualifier in ’s-Hertogenbosch. Yet in Mallorca just two weeks ago, she knocked out Muguruza and reached the semifinals. The same criticism of inconsistency could be levelled at her opponent. Yet Keys played magnificently to take the title in Birmingham, and her weapons far outstrip Flipkens’. Therefore I can only see this swinging in the American’s favour. A close first set followed by a cruise to victory in the second set for Keys.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Steen:
Flipkens is great on grass, but Keys is even better; the unconventional Belgian is a tough opponent, but much is expected of Keys in London, and I expect her to prevail.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Sam:
With the AEGON Classic trophy packed neatly amongst her luggage, Madison Keys is riding a wave of confidence at the moment. Kirsten Flipkens is no slouch on grass, as her 2013 Wimbledon semifinal run demonstrates. Keys is firing on all cylinders at the moment though and is a real dark horse in the compeition.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Varvara Lepchenko vs Angelique Kerber
Finn:
Angelique Kerber has likewise had mixed results in recent times. Yet, in contrast to Lepchenko, many of these underwhelming displays came in the back end of the clay court season, not on the grass. Kerber’s low, flat groundstrokes are deadly on the grass of Wimbledon; this threat could indeed be exacerbated by the moist weather conditions. The tall Lepchenko could struggle with these skidding strikes. The American also only just squeezed past clay court specialist Pereira in Round One. Lepchenko leads the head to head 4-3, but not one of those meetings has come on grass. A straight sets win for Kerber seems likely.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Steen:
Kerber has won the most recent meetings between this pair, and her power game should make her the better player on grass. Given Lepchenko comes off a three setter, I have to go with Kerber in routine fashion.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Sam:
A battle of the lefties this may be but neither have been in glittering form in the warm up to Wimbledon. The German has the Grand Slam experience and looked impressive against home favourite Laura Robson. She should have the match experience to emerge victorious here.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Simona Halep vs Francesca Schiavone
Finn:
Schiavone’s glory days seem to have certainly passed. At Wimbledon, it could be argued that she in fact never has tasted glory. The Italian’s game has always been geared up for clay. Her extreme “western” grip on her forehand to generate topspin lacks penetration on grass. Although Halep is by no means a complete grass court player, with the mobility she relies on being slightly restricted, she should have ample quality to wear her 36-year-old opponent down. After all, relentless hitting from the back is Halep’s trademark.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Steen:
Schiavone looks to be a fading veteran in the twilight of her career Halep is one of the best players in the game, the result looks to be clear in this one. Even if Halep doesn’t play her best she should win.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Sam:
By coming through her first round clash with Anastasijja Sevastova, Francesca Schiavone managed to end a six match winless run. Despite a history of poor results at Wimbledon–including a first round exit here last year–Halep has looked good since teaming up with Darren Cahill at the start of the year and should emerge largely untroubled here.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Sara Errani vs Alize Cornet
Finn:
Sara Errani has seldom convinced me on grass. The diminutive Italian has little power in her serve or baseline game for the surface. The only advantage she may have in this clash is her fantastic movement and dexterity around the net. Cornet on the other hand, whilst possessing much more power from the back, has had a disappointing year. The Frenchwoman has dropped to 61 in the world–40 places below her seeded opponent. If Errani can bring her net play into proceedings, the Italian may squeeze through this one.
Prediction: Errani in 3
Steen:
Errani dominates the head to head although she’s no the favorite in this match. This should be a highly competitive contest given the surface, but I’m going to slightly favor the higher ranked Italian to notch an “upset”.
Prediction: Errani in 3
Sam:
It must be some sort of Italian tradition because, like her compatriot Francesca Schiavone, Sara Errani also came into Wimbledon off the back of six straight losses. Any match involving Cornet will always bring emotion and fireworks so expect this one to go the distance. Passion versus professionalism is the name of this game.
Prediction: Errani in 3
Sam Stosur vs Sabine Lisicki
Finn:
There is a strong consensus amongst the tennis community that these are two players who have significantly under-delivered in their careers. Although Stosur carved out a deep run into the French Open draw, it seems likely that she will yet again suffer a premature exit at SW19. The Australian has a 10-13 win-loss record at the Championships. For Lisicki on the other hand, the All England Club has always been prolific territory. The former Wimbledon finalist’s powerhouse playing style–“boom, boom” as it is often dubbed–suits the shorter, higher tempo exchanges of the grass. Stosur’s often large forehand backswing could certainly be caught out. Despite her horrendous form, a straight sets win for Lisicki.
Prediction: Lisicki in 2
Steen:
A great matchup. Stosur is a solid veteran, but this is Lisicki on grass, and she should dominate proceedings.
Prediction: Lisicki in 2
Sam:
Despite an erratic couple of years, you can never discount Sabine Lisicki from pulling herself together at Wimbledon. Nevertheless, despite the German’s grass court prowess she actually holds a 2-1 losing record on grass against Stosur. The Australian is undergoing a mini resurgence at the moment after her French Open semifinal and may just extend that head-to-head record.
Prediction: Stosur in 3
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