We’re back for the second day of the biggest tournament in tennis. There are so many amazing matches on the slate that we couldn’t think of just five–we have six for you today. Predicting today are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), editor Steen Kirby, and contributor John Lupo.
Panelists’ Predictions 2016 Wimbledon Women’s Day 2
Roberta Vinci vs Alison Riske
John:
A dangerous match for Vinci as Riske is proficient on grass. Aside from winning St. Petersburg, the Italian has done little of note since her historic win over Serena at last year’s U.S. Open. That trend should continue here as the Shenzhen and Nottingham finalist will progress.
Prediction: Riske in 2
Yesh:
By ranking, Vinci is supposed to win this match. She is a Top 10 seed with a career-high ranking. But she is not good on grass and Riske is. It’s that simple. There’s an upset in the cards here.
Prediction: Riske in 2
Steen:
Vinci hasn’t won a match on grass in 3 years, Riske is great on the surface and recently made a WTA final in warm-up for Wimbledon. Despite the ranking difference, I’d go as far as to make Riske the favorite due to the surface mismatch.
Prediction: Riske in 2
Monica Puig vs Johanna Konta
John:
This could’ve been the final in Eastbourne, but both players lost in the semifinals. While at home, Konta has the pressure of being the first British female seeded at Wimbledon in 1984. Puig’s game has evolved on grass and if she isn’t tired from her recent amount of match play, she has enough firepower to blunt Konta’s big serve.
Prediction: Puig in 3
Yesh:
I think Puig has the advantage on grass, but not here. Never underestimate what being a Brit at Wimbledon can do for a player. The crowd will pull Konta through any nerves she might have.
Prediction: Konta in 3
Steen:
This should be a highly competitive contest. Konta has a h2h win on grass against Puig and both performed well in Wimbledon tune ups. Puig is a gutsy competitor and now an Olympian, but I’m going to go with the Brit in a close one. Prediction: Konta in 3
Tsvetana Pironkova vs Belinda Bencic
John:
Bencic has one match since Charleston aside from reaching the semifinals of s-‘Hertogenbosch and she drew the toughest first round possible as Pironkova is a former Wimbledon semifinalist with wins over Venus in back-to-back years. In good form and peak fitness, this would be a tough match, but the circumstances surrounding the Swiss star make this an upset if she wins.
Prediction: Pironkova in 2
Yesh:
I am a firm believer in Tsvetana Pironkova. Her resume on grass is stellar. Bencic would be a great matchup for her if the Swiss was at 100%, but she’s not. Give me Pironkova in an “upset”.
Prediction: Pironkova in 2
Steen:
Pironkova is a grass court specialist, although she has lost to Bencic on grass. Both players had good recent results, and Bencic could win this one going away, but I’m going to go with Pironkova in an upset. She wishes more tournaments were played on grass with how well she performs on the surface.
Prediction: Pironkova in 3
Christina McHale vs Daniela Hantuchova
John:
Hantuchova is near the end of her career, but still hits the ball hard while McHale has a couple of wins on grass prior to Wimbledon. The winner is likely to lose to Serena next round and this can go either way. I’ll take McHae only just.
Prediction: McHale in 3
Yesh:
Hantuchova is still a big name who can win almost anywhere, but her best years are behind her. McHale is a solid grass player who has not quite broken through to the top of the game yet. Still, she has a very good upside and will probably, but barely, pull through here.
Steen:
McHale’s solid run of form on grass in warm-up tournaments and good historical record against Hantuchova sets her up to win this match over the veteran and give American fans some cheer.
Prediction: McHale in 2
Heather Watson vs Annika Beck
John:
The Brit was 2 points from a major surprise last year against Serena Williams and she’s been playing well this grass season. She won’t be overpowered by Beck as their games are similar. In what should be a close match, Watson should move on.
Prediction: Watson in 3
Yesh:
Heather Watson was two points from what would have been the biggest upset in tennis last year. She couldn’t pull it through, but she showed her absolute best that day. She can beat anyone, and I mean anyone, at Wimbledon. Beck shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Prediction: Watson in 2
Steen:
Watson hasn’t been in great form pre Wimbledon but she should have home support, and with Beck no world beater on grass I see the Brit edging this match.
Prediction: Watson in 3
Carolina Wozniacki vs Svetlana Kuznetsova
John:
One of the highlight matches of the first round sees the slumping Dane taking on the resurgent Russian. Kuznetsova can overpower Wozniacki and on grass that is likely to happen. Throw in their form and it’s clear this match is destined to end with one outcome.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 2
Yesh:
Wozniacki is working very hard to make her recovery from injury and she still has her appeal on eligibility for the Olympics weighing over her head. She is a few years removed from her incredible defensive form that saw her spend over a full year at World #1, but that potential is always still there.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
Steen:
Wozniacki won both matches on grass against Kuznetsova in their h2h and she’s the better grass court player. Look for the talented Dane to dispatch the veteran Russian competitor.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
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