Wimbledon has had quite the trouble with rain, which has seriously messed up the schedule for the players, along with our predictions. We are back, though, predicting five of the top Round 2 matches from the top half of the draw. Now, Tara Moore against Svetlana Kuznetsova is nowhere on the Day 4 schedule, but it’s a match that should be played on Thursday under normal circumstances, so we’re predicting it (there has been no news of either player withdrawing or granting a walkover). Predicting today are myself (Yes Ginsburg), along with Sam Barker and Linda Celia Ellis.
Panelists’ Predictions 2016 Wimbledon Women’s Day 4
Tara Moore vs Svetlana Kuznetsova
Sam:
Whether it’s because I had the pleasure of meeting Tara Moore a few weeks ago in Nottingham or because Britain needs a few more feel good, Marcus Willis-esk stories at the moment, I am desperate for her to get the win. Kuznetsova is a cunning veteran though and would be Tara’s biggest scalp to date. My head says the Russian but my heart says the Brit.
Prediction: Moore in 3
Yesh:
There really is no reason to predict Moore here, other than the fact that Kuznetsova can be a bit inconsistent at times and it would really be a great story if Moore won. With the way Kuznetsova played against Caroline Wozniacki in Round 1, though, I really can’t see that happening.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 2
Linda:
Kuznetzova has been playing great tennis all year and an in form Svetlana can beat anyone on the tour. Although Moore is playing well and perhaps the Brits are hoping for another fairy tale I think she is in way over her head in this match.
Prediction: Kuznetzova in 2
Coco Vandeweghe vs Timea Babos
Sam:
The crowd watching this one should expect to be serenaded with aces from both sides of the net as two of the biggest servers on the tour meet for the first time. Vandeweghe is the player in red hot form heading into this one and that should be enough to advance her through to the third round.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 2
Yesh:
Vandeweghe is in strong form and grass suits her game very well. This might be a power matchup, but I give the American the big edge.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 2
Linda:
Vandeweghe is currently ranked #30 and Babos is ranked #44 so one would expect this to be a close match, however, Vandeweghe has found her form on grass. Winning her first WTA title in the Netherlands on grass at ‘S-Hertogenbosch has given the American a real boost of confidence, and that was clearly evident in her first round match against Bonderenko. Vandeweghe’s big serve and big forehand are perfect for the courts at Wimbledon and many fans have picked her as the “dark horse” to win it all. Babos only has two wins on grass this year including her first round match at Wimbledon and she will be facing a player who is enjoying every minute on the grass.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 2
Andrea Petkovic vs Elena Vesnina
Sam:
In three of their five previous meetings these two have gone to three sets and there is little to suggest that this won’t go the same way. Both have looked adequate if largely unspectacular on the grass this year. Vesnina getting her match done and dusted a couple of days ago whilst Petkovic was forced to finish on Wednesday may be the deciding factor.
Prediction: Vesnina in 3
Yesh:
These are two evenly-matched players. Neither is superior but neither is poor, either. Their matches are usually tight and expect this one to be no different.
Prediction: Vesnina in 3
Linda:
This is another match up where the two players are fairly close in the rankings with Petkovic sitting at #38 and Vesnina sitting at #50. Although I have not seen either player on grass this year, Petkovic has been slowly working her way back up the rankings and it would not surprise me if she puts together a good run here. If Petkovic can play an aggressive game I think she will win this in three sets.
Prediction: Petkovic in 3
Johanna Konta vs Eugenie Bouchard
Sam:
This is a match between two players whose careers paths have followed notably different trajectories over the last couple of years. Even so, this will be a match with plenty of heart as both players are gritty fighters once they take to the court. Rankings do not lie though, and Konta should have enough to despatch the Canadian.
Prediction: Konta in 3
Yesh:
Eugenie Bouchard has been in quite a massive slump for a few years now. It’s hard to pick her to win anything, though she looked decent in her first-round match here.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Linda:
Konta started the year off with a semi-final showing in Australia and she has continued the year strongly with a 20-14 win-loss record. This is Konta’s home tournament so she should have crowd support, however, Bouchard was the tournament sweetheart in 2014 when she reached the final, losing to Petra Kvitova. After a disastrous 2015 Bouchard has shown signs of returning to the form she showed in 2014. Clearly Bouchard is capable of playing well above her ranking of 48 and she likes playing on the big stages, so this centre court match could be perfect for her. Konta is the first seeded female British player in decades must deal with home pressure and new expectations now that she is ranked #19. Both players can be aggressive from the baseline so it could be an entertaining match.
Prediction: Bouchard in 3
Serena Williams vs Christina McHale
Sam:
The two have seen plenty of each other in recent months after their meetings in both Rome and Miami. Serena emerged victorious both times but McHale will take confidence from the fact that she managed to win a set. This is Serena Williams at Wimbledon seeking that elusive twenty second Grand Slam though.
Prediction: Serena in 2
Yesh:
I actually liked how McHale looked in the first round and think that, if she plays her best, she can make the match against Serena a relatively interesting one. She doesn’t have the weapons to beat the World #1, though.
Prediction: Serena in 2
Linda:
McHale has had a strong year in 2016 with a 26-15 win-loss record. McHale came through qualifying on the grass at Eastbourne and made it to the round of 16 where she lost to fellow American Coco Vandeweghe. Playing Williams at Wimbledon will be a difficult challenge for Mchale. Although Williams was not really tested in her first round match she came out ready to play and never let the qualifier, Amra Sadikovic into the match. McHale may be able to handle the power of the William’s groundstrokes but the combinations of shots that William’s is able to put together will make it too difficult for her to challenge the world #1.
Prediction: Williams in 2
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