It’s Manic Monday, the best day in tennis, so we at LWOT are here with a Manic Monday special. We’ll be predicting all eight of the women’s Round of 16 matches scheduled for Monday. Today’s panelists are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), editor Steen Kirby, and writer Brett Margolies.
Panelists Predictions Women’s Manic Monday 2017
Angelique Kerber vs Garbine Muguruza
Brett:
I don’t know if there’s a player on the women’s side that has played as well as Garbine Muguruza this first week. She’s won her three matches 6-2 6-4, 6-2 6-4, and 6-2 6-2, while Angelique Kerber eked out a win over Shelby Rogers 6-4 in the third. I can’t see #1 Kerber getting past Muguruza the way she’s playing right now.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Steen:
Credit to Kerber for fighting hard to reach week 2, but the momentum and h2h should favor the Spaniard at this point. The women’s draw is open, and Muguruza should rise.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Yesh:
Kerber is the World #1 for a reason. Even though she has struggled mightily since attaining that ranking, she’ll eventually have to bring her best game. I don’t know if Muguruza is the best player to do it against, though. The Spaniard seems to have her sights firmly set on a second Slam.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Agnieszka Radwanska vs Svetlana Kuznetsova
Brett:
Aga Radwanska is finally starting to look like her old self, after back to back three set wins she’ll face her toughest opponent yet in Svetlana Kuznetsova. The H2H between the two isn’t even close with Kuznetsova holding a 13-4 record over Radwanska. Even though she is playing better, I can’t see Radwanska beating Kuznetsova on Monday.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 2
Steen:
On grass Kuznetsova should win this. She hasn’t dropped a set in three matches, while Radwanska has had to scratch and claw.
Prediction: Kuznetsova in 2
Yesh:
Don’t be fooled by this lopsided head-to-head. Radwanska should be the better player on grass. Additionally, all of their matches in the last four years have gone to three sets. Radwanska should be able to win this, with surprisingly little trouble.
Prediction: Radwanska in 2
Magdaléna Rybáriková vs Petra Martic
Brett:
Rybarikova-Martic
Much like the Querrey-Anderson match on the mens side, this is a great opportunity for one of these two players to reach the quarterfinals. You have to wonder if all the matches will catch up to Petra Martic at some point. After coming through qualifying, she’ll be playing her 7th match of the tournament. This one can go either way, but i’ll give the advantage to Rybarikova.
Prediction: Rybarikova in 2
Steen:
Rybarikova is on a fantastic winning streak on grass, Martic has six wins in row coming through qualifying, but this is Rybarikova at her best right now.
Prediction: Rybarikova in 2
Yesh:
It’s impossible to predict who will come through in such a high-stakes match for two players so not used to it. I’ll go with the one who had a tougher route to this point, at least in the Main Draw.
Prediction: Rybáriková in 3
Carolina Wozniacki vs Coco Vandeweghe
Brett:
Wozniacki somehow escaped against Kontaveit, snapping her 7-match winning streak. She fought hard and will have to continue that to get past back-to-back Wimbledon semifinalist Coco Vandeweghe. Wozniacki has won the previous two meetings against Vandeweghe, but I think third time will be the charm for Coco who is playing well with new coach Pat Cash looking on.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 3
Steen:
Two players in great form. Wozniacki has more experience but Vandeweghe on grass is looking lethal right now; I’ll back Coco.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 3
Yesh:
Wozniacki is turning her career back years with her current run of form. She matches up well against Vandeweghe, even on grass.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 3
Venus Williams vs Ana Konjuh
Brett:
I’m not sure how much of Ana Konjuh that Venus Williams has seen but she has her work cut out for her on Monday. Konjuh is playing well after beating the 8th seed Domika Cibulkova in three sets. Going in to the second week, I do think Venus realizes this might be as good of a chance she has to win her first Grand Slam in eight years. I don’t think she’ll let this opportunity pass up and will move on to the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Steen:
Look for Venus to continue to overcome personal issues and win matches, at her age it’s already a great story. Credit to Konjuh for making it this far.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Yesh:
Konjuh doesn’t have anything with which to challenge the elder Williams sister. So long as Venus is playing well and focused (and she certainly has plenty of distractions right now), she’ll win this match.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Elina Svitolina vs Jelena Ostapenko
Brett:
Just one week ago, one of the more popular upset picks in the first round was Barty over Svitolina. Fast forward to the second week and Elina Svitolina finds herself in the second week after coming in with injury concerns. French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko has three wins all over players who are comfortable on grass. I think Ostapenko keeps on rolling and keeps her winning streak at Slams going.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Steen:
Both players have had solid seasons. I’ll back the young Slam champion to continue her momentum and reach the quarters.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Yesh:
The Ostapenko dream run has to end some time, but I don’t think that Svitolina has the skills on grass to do it. This should be a great match, though, as it pits two rapidly-improving players on a surface that each is playing better on right now than she should.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Carolina Garcia vs Johanna Konta
Brett:
Will the pressure of the British media finally catch up to Johanna Konta? She’s handled it well so far and seems to be playing better after escaping the second round battle against Donna Vekic. Caroline Garcia did win when they in March at Indian Wells, but look for Konta to get her revenge at Wimbledon.
Prediction:Konta in 2
Steen:
Konta seems healthy, on grass she should continue to excite British fans and keep hope alive for a British sweep in singles at the home slam (with Andy Murray).
Prediction: Konta in 2
Yesh:
Konta has looked Andy Murray-like in handling the weight of British expectations for the past year and change. She’s the more talented player in this matchup, is better on grass, and has shown no signs of cracking under pressure.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Simona Halep vs Victoria Azarenka
Brett:
This is the best match on the women’s side on Manic Monday. If it’s anything like their 2015 US Open quarterfinal then tennis fans will be in luck. I hope for everyone’s sake that both of them play their best tennis. There were so many question marks regarding Azarenka’s game when she took the court last Monday, but so far she’s been impressive and look for that to continue and to move on to the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Steen:
Given she should be less rusty, Halep is a clear favorite. If Vika had more practice she’d be in a better position.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Yesh:
This Azarenka comeback has been amazing, but eventually the lack of match play and conditioning coming in will catch up to her. That time is against the incredibly talented and tactical Simona Halep. Azarenka might outhit her opponent for a set, but eventually Halep will wear her down.
Prediction:
Halep in 3
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