It’s Manic Monday at Wimbledon, the absolute best day in tennis. Watching the matches are an incredible treat, and as a preview we’re going to give you a treat and predict them all. That’s right. Our writers are tackling all eight matches. Predicting today are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), editor Sam Barker, and contributors Linda Celia Ellis and John Lupo.
Panelists’ Predictions 2016 Wimbledon Women’s Manic Monday
Serena Williams vs Svetlana Kuznetsova
Sam:
Sound the alarm because this one has “potential upset” written all over it. Earlier in the year Kuznetsova recovered from a one set deficit to defeat Williams on the hard courts of Miami and will attempt to channel that success into her play. Serena though, is looking more composed as the tournament progresses and a free-swinging Serena is virtually unbeatable.
Prediction: Serena in 3
Linda:
Although Williams holds a 9-3 advantage in their head to head meetings the two have not met on grass courts as of yet. Kuznetzova survived a tough match against Sloane Stephens where she dug in after being down 2-5 in the final set. Serena, however, eased through her last match against Annika Beck after coming through a tough challenge from fellow American Christina McHale. The owner of two Major titles, Kuznetzova has the ability to beat anyone when she is on her game and she is currently in great form. I am anticipating a highly competitive match featuring powerful ground strokes as well as creative shotmaking.
Prediction: Kuznetzova in 3
John:
Kuznetsova has a win over Serena this year, beating her in Miami, but on the grass, it’s a much different story. Serena looked at her best against Annika Beck while Kuznetsova struggled past Sloane Stephens. The Russian is plenty capable of pulling the upset, but I think Serena wins this.
Prediction: Serena in 3
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Coco Vandeweghe
Sam:
Both Pavlyuchenkova and Vandeweghe caused upsets in the last round, defeating Bacsinszky and Vinci respectively. All the signs point towards this being a monumental tussle. Vandeweghe is yet to drop a set though and with one grass court title already this season, she may just have the edge.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 2
Linda:
Pavs and Vandeweghe have only played once before and that was a close match on the hard courts of Miami in 2014 with Vandeweghe winning. Although Pavs is ranked slightly higher at #23 compared to Vandeweghe at #30, Vandeweghe is on a grass roll, winning at ‘s-Hertogenbosch and reaching the semis in Birmingham. Confidence is a big part of the mental game of tennis and Vandeweghe is full of confidence right now with a lot of belief in her serve and forehand.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 2
John:
The American has won 13 of her last 14 matches, including a title in s-‘Hertogenbosch and a semifinal in Birmingham. Pavlyuchenkova recorded a very nice win over Timea Bacsinsky and can match Vandeweghe’s power, but not her consistency. In what is an opportunity for both to reach the quarterfinals, I think Vandeweghe makes the last eight here for the second straight year.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 2
Agnieszka Radwanska vs Dominica Cibulkova
Sam:
This one has just got “fun” written all over it. Radwanska’s style is always hugely entertaining to watch – although she can count herself fortunate to be in the fourth round after winning a dramatic match against Ana Konjah. Cibulkova is the form player and has now won eight straight matches – including defeating Radwanska last week in Eastbourne. A repeat result is definitely on the cards.
Prediction: Cibulkova in 3
Linda:
Well this Wimbledon is obviously not going the way Cibulkova thought it would, otherwise she would not have scheduled her wedding for Saturday July 9, the same day as the Women’s final. Radwanska owns a 7-5 head to head record against Cibulkova including a three set win this year on the grass at Eastbourne. Radwanska’s highlight reel shotmaking is usually at its best on the grass at Wimbledon, but Cibulkova will certainly try to run every ball down. Cibulkova is moving back up the rankings in her recovery from injury so her #18 ranking may be misleading.
Prediction: Cibulkova in 3
John:
Cibulkova won Eastbourne, beating Radwanska along the way. The Slovak is always tough and packs a powerful punch. Radwanska is lucky to be in the tournament as Ana Konjuh had her dead to rights in the second, a combination of factors keeping the Pole alive. In what will be a very competitive match, I like Cibulkova to sneak through.
Prediction: Cibulkova in 3
Ekaterina Makarova vs Elena Vesnina
Sam:
This fourth round encounter comes from Russia with love. The two have met on seven previous occasions but have a rather one-sided history. Their first meeting twelve years ago went the way of Vesnina but since then Makarova has won twelve straight sets to claim the next six. Just to add another layer to this match, they are also competing in the doubles as partners. History is likely to repeat itself.
Prediction: Makarova in 2
Linda:
This is an interesting match up between two experienced Russian players and as often happens in tennis, these two have played a lot of matches together as doubles partners. As a team this year Vesnina and Makarova reached the finals in both Rome and at the French Open. Makarova is currently the higher ranked singles player at #35, but Vesnina is not far behind at #50.In head to head matches Makarova leads by a 6-1 margin. This should be a tight match but the left-handed Makarova should come out the winner but it could take three sets to get the job done.
Prediction: Makarova in 3
John:
The most wide open match of the round sees doubles partners square off for a quarterfinal berth. Makarova has beaten the better players in Petra Kvitova and Barbora Strycova while Vesnina has been playing well during the grass court season. They’ll be nervous with what’s on the line and the fact that they’re doubles partners only complicates things and despite more experience, Vesnina is the pick here despite this match being the toughest to call.
Prediction: Vesnina in 3
Simona Halep vs Madison Keys
Sam:
A total contrast in styles could conjure up one of the most intriguing and entertaining matches of this round. Ferocious power meets guile and agility as these two contenders go head to head for the third time. In this battle between two of tennis’ hottest properties, the speedy nature of grass may play a major part. Ultimately Keys is likely to power through the Romanian defenses.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Yesh:
Keys looks in good grass form but something about Halep here makes me nervous about picking against her. This feels like it just might be the Romanian’s time to shine.
Prediction: Halep in 3
John:
Keys has won 16 of her last 18 matches, including a title in Eastbourne. She’s come through tough 3-setters against Kirsten Flipkens and Alize Cornet while Halep beat a big hitter in Kiki Bertens the previous round. While the Romanian seems to be rounding back into form, Keys is playing too well at the moment to lose to her.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Misaki Doi vs Angelique Kerber
Sam:
With neither player having dropped a set, something has to give. Funnily enough, the campaigns for both these players have slipped very silently under the radar and both will be eyeing a superb opportunity to reach the quarters. Kerber has the experience but Doi has absolutely nothing to lose.
Prediction: Doi in 3
Yesh:
It’s been an amazing run by Doi to get to this point, but Kerber is just too good.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
John:
Doi is the first Japanese woman to reach the Round of 16 at Wimbledon since Ai Sugiyama in 2000 and she had match point against Kerber in the first round of this year’s Australian Open. If possible for a reigning Grand Slam champion, the German has quietly moved through the draw and she looks to be in good form heading into week two. The only nerves she might have are from her chance to become #1 here and although Doi poses a threat, the Melbourne champion should move on.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Venus Williams vs Carla Suarez-Navarro
Sam:
Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam Carla Suarez-Navarro has never made the quarterfinals at and she will be desperate to amend that. Meanwhile Venus is competing against the clock and knows there is a chance this may be her final Wimbledon. A lot on the line for what is sure to be a pulsating and popular contest. This will go right down to the wire.
Prediction: Suarez-Navarro in 3
Yesh:
Venus has had some trouble this tournament but the Spaniard won’t be the one to beat her. Not on grass, and definitely not at Wimbledon.
Prediction: Venus in 2
John:
There isn’t much to say about this match as the elder Williams has had enough time to recover from her two long matches in singles. Suarez Navarro is tough, always competes well and is more than just a clay court specialist, but on grass against a rested Venus is too much to ask of the Spaniard as she simply doesn’t have the weapons to trouble the 5-time Wimbledon champion.
Prediction: Venus in 2 easy sets
Yaroslava Shvedova vs Lucie Safarova
Sam:
Lucie Safarova has made hard work of a relatively easy draw so far whilst Shvedova has had to polish off some accomplished grass court players – most notably Sabine Lisicki. Safarova may have the seeding advantage but Shvedova has won their three previous meetings and is looking surprisingly dangerous.
Shvedova in 2
Yesh:
Safarova has been challenged this tournament and just got through a very tough match against Cepelova. She has shown strength and grit and won’t be taken out by Shvedova, even if she somehow drops a set.
Prediction: Safarova in 2
John:
Shvedova took out former finalist Sabine Lisicki and has a game that is very dangerous on grass. Safarova has played two marathons against Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jana Cepelova and although she gets some time off to rest, is fortunate to still be in the tournament. In what has been an unusual year in women’s tennis, i’ll pick another upset.
Prediction: Shvedova in 2
