It’s Day 2 of Wimbledon, and our panelists are here to predict six of the best women’s matches of the day. Our panelists today are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), editor Steen Kirby, and writers Jakub Bobro and Vithun Illankovan.
Panelists Predictions Wimbledon Women’s Day 2 Matches
Timea Bacsinszky vs Monica Puig
Jakub:
Since winning the 2016 Rio Olympics, Puig has been lackluster in her performances. Bacsinszky has also been struggling to play the Top 10 game like she did in 2015. Neither of these two women are at their best, and I think it will come down to this question: Who is the better grass court player? I believe the Puerto Rican takes this one.
Prediction: Puig in 3
Steen:
Neither player has had much warmup but form and rank seemingly favors the Swiss. I don’t see Puig finding her footing on grass so quickly.
Prediction: Bacsinszky in 3
Vithun:
Puig has not been having a great year and her level of play hasn’t ever come close to her Olympic triumph. Bacsinsky did have a slow start to the year but I think she is back on track after making the French Open semi-finals and should win this match.
Prediction: Bacsinsky in 3
Yesh:
Puig hasn’t been at her best form since her Gold Medal, but you have to believe that she has that form in her. And what better place to do that than Wimbledon?
Prediction: Puig in 3
Lauren Davis vs Varvara Lepchenko
Jakub:
Lauren Davis is again seeded at a Slam, which goes to show just how much she has improved. With all due respect, Varvara Lepchenko is past her peak. She is known as one for being one of the Americans that can play on clay. I believe that the young Davis will take this American Derby.
Prediction: Davis in 2
Steen:
American fans will enjoy this one. With Lepchenko leading the H2H and a win this year on hard court, Varvara deserves the edge.
Prediction: Lepchenko in 3
Vithun:
Davis has won many matches this year by taking advantage of her opponents’ erratic performances. Lepchenko can be dangerous but Wimbledon has been her least successful Slam. Expect Davis to her first Slam match win of the year.
Prediction: Davis in 3
Yesh:
Lepchenko hasn’t been on her best form recently, but she should be able to outhit Davis on the grass. This should be a very entertaining match.
Prediction: Lepchenko in 3
Tsvetana Pironkova vs Sara Errani
Jakub:
This is perhaps the most straightforward match of all that have ever been played. Errani is a clay court specialist, Pironkova is a grass court specialist. It’s as simple as that.
Prediction: Pironkova in 2
Steen:
Grass court queen Pironkova against a dirtballer; despite the difference in accomplishment, Pironkova is a clear favorite.
Prediction: Pironkova in 2
Vithun:
Confused about how this can be one of the matches of the day – Errani can barely win any matches on her favourite surface clay anymore so I don’t see how she will win a match at the tournament when she was on the losing end of a golden set. Pironkova has a great record at Wimbledon and just pushed World No.2 Simona Halep in Eastbourne in a very tight 3-setter. Expect Errani’s pusher game to be fully exposed by Pironkova.
Prediction: Pironkova in 2
Yesh:
Don’t let the career statistics or achievements fool you. On grass, this matchup should be well in the Bulgarian’s favor.
Prediction: Pironkova in 2
Coco Vandeweghe vs Mona Barthel
Jakub:
Mona Barthel has had a solid year on getting back and solidifying her position in Top 100. CoCo Vandeweghe has been having a pretty good year. She added Pat Cash to her team for grass season. She had a disappointing start as she lost to Carina Witthöft. In Birmingham, Vandeweghe beat Konta before retiring from her match against Muguruza. That would be the only question mark for Vandeweghe.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 3
Steen:
Barthel’s form looks slightly better, her power should give her an advantage.
Prediction: Barthel in 2
Vithun:
I really cannot see Vandeweghe losing in the 1st round, regardless of how well the talented Barthel plays. Vandeweghe loves playing on grass and her character alone can overwhelm opponents. Adding Pat Cash to her team will only increase her intimidation factor and I actually feel that she is the only one that can stop Eastbourne champion Karolina Pliskova (my predicted champion) from winning the tournament.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 2
Yesh:
This should be a great match with a good contrast of styles. I think Vandeweghe ultimately has more power, which I give the edge to on grass, but just barely.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 3
Alison Riske vs Sloane Stephens
Jakub:
And it is another American Derby, this time much high profile. Alison Riske is somewhat of a grass specialist, and is overdue for a big Wimbledon run. This Sloane Stephens comeback has been very under the radar. I personally had no idea until I opened the draw. I think that Riske is by far the favorite.
Prediction: Riske in 2
Vithun:
It has been so long since Sloane Stephens last played a match that at times I totally forgot about her existence. It is great to have her back from a long injury layoff since she is a player with great star quality. I’m probably going with my heart instead of my head with this prediction by hoping for a triumphant return against a player who is good on grass, but doesn’t possess any special shots.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Steen:
A recently-injured Sloane Stephens against Riske, an American who enjoys playing on grass. This is another match where the better known name should fall.
Prediction: Riske in 3
Yesh:
Stephens is coming off a pretty bad injury and doesn’t have nearly the match experience to be able to play with a good rhythm against a good grass-court player. She could have done something with a better draw, but this seems too tough.
Prediction: Riske in 2
Agnieszka Radwanska vs Jelena Jankovic
Jakub:
This match-up seems like a popcorn match at first sight, but it will probably be one of those corn kernels that doesn’t pop. Radwanska has been struggling all season long, but I believe that if she is going to snap out of it, it will be at Wimbledon. Jankovic is continuing her slow descent down the rankings as she ages. The former No. 1 doesn’t like grass, and I can’t really see her challenging here.
Prediction: Radwanska in 2
Steen:
Radwanska leads the H2H. Although neither player is near their best right now, the Pole should win this somewhat easily, as Jankovic has been poor as of late.
Prediction: Radwanska in 2
Vithun:
Radwanska’s form since she changed her racket has been extremely disappointing and she will be vulnerable against almost any given opponent now because of it. Luckily for her, she plays someone whose performances in 2017 have been even more tragic. As grass is Radwanska’s best surface and Jankovic’s worst surface, I’d expect the former Wimbledon finalist to get through relatively comfortably.
Prediction: Radwanska in 2
Yesh:
These are two big names that have each struggled recently. Jankovic is well past her prime and doesn’t like grass. Still, I think this match comes down to who can avoid errors for longer periods of time, and I think that Jankovic can do that.
Prediction: Jankovic in 3
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