For the predictions of Day 5 men’s matches, click here.
It’s Wimbledon Day 5 and the start of the third round here at the All-England Club. Joining us today for our predictions are LWOS writers John Lupo and Niall Clarke, who are joined by guest Pete Ziebron of tennisacumen.com.
Sloane Stephens vs Lucie Safarova
Niall
Stephens has played well during the grass court season whilst Safarova had struggled to find her French Open form. The Czech is also very good on the grass and made the semifinals last year, but I feel that Sloane can cause an upset here.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
John
This is a match featuring two players that have looked quite good in arriving at the 3rd Round. Safarova continues to play steady tennis, displaying the form that carried her to the French Open final a little over a month ago. Stephens seems to have found her rhythm under coach Nick Saviano, whom she reunited with, getting to the 4th Round in Paris, semifinals of Eastbourne, and the 3rd Round here. In what truly is a toss-up, I’ll take Safarova in what could turn into a classic, but this is the least confident I have ever felt making a pick.
Prediction: Safarova in 3 thrilling sets
Pete
Sloane Stephens appears to be playing with more confidence of late. Meanwhile, Lucie Safarova is fortunate to still be in the tournament as Alison Riske served for the match against her in the opening round. Fortunately for Safarova, she found another gear just in time, steadied her game, and won the match. Stephens reached the quarters at Wimbledon two years ago, while Safarova was a semifinalist last year. Stephens’ newfound confidence makes the difference.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Belinda Bencic vs Bethanie Mattek-Sands
Niall
Bencic is one of the in-form players at the moment after winning Eastbourne. Mattek-Sands played well to defeat Ivanovic but that said she still is not the player she was a few years ago. I think the in form Bencic will prevail.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
John
The Swiss teenager has lost 1 match this grass season as she continues her steady climb up the rankings. Mattek-Sands put on a brilliant display to easily defeat 7th seed Ana Ivanovic and seems poised for an upset here. Her aggressive, net-rushing style could once again work well if conditions continue to be dry with fast courts. Bencic may be carrying around a slight injury and that could be enough for the American to upset her 2nd straight seeded opponent. However, questions about her consistency and perhaps an eye on the doubles (her and Lucie Safarova are going for a calendar year Grand Slam) will lead me to the safe pick here, although not too confidently.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Pete
Belinda Bencic enters this 3rd round encounter having won 13 of her last 15 matches on grass, including eight consecutive. Bethanie Mattek-Sands shocked #7 seed Ana Ivanovic in straight sets. In fact, Bencic has had to go the distance in both of her opening matches while Mattek-Sands defeated significantly higher ranked opponents in straight sets and has given up only 12 games in 4 sets. The upstart young Swiss needs three sets yet again in this match but gets the job done to advance.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Serena Williams vs Heather Watson
Niall
Watson somehow made it past Garcia in Round 1 despite facing match points, but played a lot better to defeat Hantuchova in the second round. Serena is a bridge too far however, and unless the World #1 plays really badly I cannot see Watson having enough to beat her.
Prediction: Serena in 2
John
The top seed won her 23rd straight Grand Slam match vs Timea Babos in Round 2 by an identical 6-4 6-1 scoreline as she did in Round 1. Her level of play was better here as she gets ready for her toughest opponent yet in Brit Heather Watson, who has had a fine year, including a title in Hobart at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, she has little to trouble Serena with and despite a partisan crowd that may carry her to a brief moment or two, it won’t be enough.
Prediction: Serena in 2
Pete
Serena Williams entered Wimbledon very determined, stating immediately after Roland Garros that she was already looking forward to the next major. Despite slower than expected starts in each of her opening two matches, Williams has steamrolled her opponents in the 2nd set. Brit Heather Watson recorded impressive wins over Caroline Garcia and Daniela Hantuchova to advance to the 3rd round. However, Watson is up against significantly better competition in this round.
Prediction: Serena in 2
Coco Vandeweghe vs Samantha Stosur
Niall
Vandeweghe pulled off a bit of an upset when she defeated Karolina Pliskova. Stosur poses a new challenge in that she hits with far more spin. The American’s serve will be a key weapon, and if she does serve well she could upset another seed.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 3
John
The American was magnificent in defeating 11th seed Karolina Pliskova, hitting 15 aces and taking care of her serve quite well. Stosur has a game built for grass, especially with her kick serve, but has never been beyond this point at Wimbledon and while it would shock no one if she finally broke through to her first Round of 16 at SW19, I’ll take Vandeweghe to continue her run to her first Wimbledon 4th Round.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 2
Pete
Surprisingly, Sam Stosur has never advanced past the 3rd round at Wimbledon. A pair of straight set wins thus far will have Stosur dialed in to look to reach unchartered territory as she seeks to play after Middle Sunday for the very first time at The Championships. Coco Vandeweghe, a winner on grass last year in Den Bosch, surprised 11th Seed Karolina Pliskova on Wednesday and looks to knock of another seed when she faces the former US Open Champion. Stosur’s grit, determination and superior game win out.
Prediction: Stosur in 3
Maria Sharapova vs Irina-Camelia Begu
Niall
Sharapova has hardly broken a sweat in the opening two rounds, but faces her biggest challenge yet in Begu. The Romanian is a decent top 30 player but I doubt she will have enough weapons to defeat Sharapova.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
John
The 2004 champion has looked sharp through 2 rounds, dropping only 8 games. The only area she needs to clean up is her double faults, which seem to be an ongoing issue. Against the improving and underrated Begu, she’ll face someone who won’t beat herself, but has no weapons to hurt Sharapova with. The Romanian double faulted 10 times herself in barely edging Lesia Tsurenko. She can’t and won’t get away with that should it occur again. In any case, the 4th seed looks good in the early rounds, something you couldn’t say in previous years and should win this comfortably.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
Pete
Despite the fact that numerous seeds have already been eliminated at Wimbledon, the Sharapova-Begu 3rd round encounter is the ONLY match in the top half that features two seeded players! Sharapova, the #4 seed, has enjoyed a couple of routine wins on the grass. Meanwhile, her Romanian opponent, 29th seeded Irina-Camelia Begu, has had to battle in each of her opening matches to reach the 3rd round. Sharapova maintains her steely focus and marches to the Round of 16 with ease.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
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