We’re beginning the second round at Wimbledon, and we have some great matchups to present to you. There will be 16 women’s matches contested on Day 3, and us at LWOT will predict the five best of them for you. Predicting today are writers Brett Margolies, Jay Sandhu, and Manuel Traquete, along with editor Yesh Ginsburg.
Wimbledon Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Caroline Wozniacki vs Ekaterina Makarova
Brett:
Wozniacki showed no signs of fatigue after a quick turnaround after winning the title in Eastbourne. Makarova can be a dangerous opponent and has pulled off some big wins at slams, but Wozniacki is too good at the moment.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
Manuel:
The World #2 and Australian Open champion is looking for her second Slam title and is unlikely to be stopped here.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
Jay:
It’s fair to say Wozniacki hasn’t done much since winning in Melbourne, but put her average results to an end after winning in Eastbourne last week. She was also extremely impressive in the first round and managed to bagel Lepchenko along the way. The last time the pair met was in New York last year, where Makarova was the victor, however the Russian is certainly not on that form anymore.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
Yesh:
Wozniacki was brutally efficient in her opening match. Makarova is a tougher opponent, but with the way Wozniacki is playing that won’t matter.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
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Agnieszka Radwanska vs Lucie Safarova
Brett:
Agnieszka Radwanska made positive strides last week in Eastbourne but definitely regressed in her first-round win over Ruse. I can’t see her getting past Safarova if she plays the way she did in her opening round win.
Prediction: Safarova in 2
Manuel:
Safarova leads the H2H 4-1, but their last meeting was seven years ago and their careers have gone in different directions since.
Prediction: Radwanska in 2
Jay:
Despite having a great comeback last week, Radwanska got lucky in her last match. Safarova has also spent a lot of time off tour this year but is yet to have a good result so far. Radwanska may not have much power but she can outsmart a low on form Safarova.
Prediction: Radwanska in 3
Yesh:
Radwanska is another player trying to make her way back into form. She looked good for a portion of her first-round match, but awful for much of it. If she can’t be more consistent, she won’t get out of this match.
Prediction: Safarova in 2
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Tatjana Maria vs Kristina Mladenovic
Brett:
This might be a matchup problem for Tatjana Maria. Mladenovic owns a 4-1 record H2H, but they haven’t faced each other since the Citi Open last Summer. Maria has to be full of confidence after upsetting Svitolina in the first round, I think she’ll advance to the third round as well.
Prediction: Maria in 3
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Manuel:
Mladenovic has won all four matches between the two and has the clear edge in this match. Expect a repeat tomorrow.
Prediction: Mladenovic in 2
Jay:
Maria is one of the most dangerous players on grass and just proved that with an upset over Svitolina in the first round. Her game completely suits grass, whereas Mladenovic is not as comfortable on the surface. The French player has been low on confidence and I believe she will struggle to find answers against such a tricky opponent.
Prediction: Maria in 2
Yesh:
Maria was incredible in the first round, taking out #6 seed Elina Svitolina. Mladenovic has not been at her top form for a while, but it’s going to be very tough for Maria to replicate her opening-match performance.
Prediction: Mladenovic in 3
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Barbora Strycova vs Lesia Tsurenko
Brett:
Strycova typically doesn’t make it easy for herself, so I don’t think she’ll win comfortably. She defeated a hobbled Tsurenko in Birmingham a few weeks ago; I expect the result to be the same.
Prediction: Strycova in 2
Manuel:
When the two faced in the quarterfinals of Birmingham two weeks ago, Strycova won due to retirement. This time it should be different, but the final outcome will remain the same.
Prediction: Strycova in 3
Jay:
Strycova was impressive in her first round against an always difficult Kuznetsova. Tsurenko had a slightly easier first round but still managed to get through quite easily. Both players aren’t known for their power, but Tsurenko is a better fighter in my opinion and much better mentally.
Prediction: Tsurenko in 2
Yesh:
These two met a few weeks ago, but Tsurenko was nowhere near 100% at the time. She’s healthier now, and will want revenge. She won’t get it, but it will be close.
Prediction: Strycova in 3
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Karolina Pliskova vs Victoria Azarenka
Brett:
Even though 2018 hasn’t gone to plan for Victoria Azarenka, she’s still managed to record a victory over Karolina Pliskova. The quality of this match should be closer to what you would see in a quarterfinal. Azarenka should be confident after a relatively easy win which should help.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Manuel:
A match that is far closer than the rankings would indicate, for obvious reasons. Pliskova won when the pair played each other earlier this year, but that was on clay.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Jay:
Pliskova has had a surprisingly disappointing grass season and struggled in the first round. Azarenka hasn’t played many matches and hasn’t won much recently, which means she will struggle. Though both players aren’t at their best, Pliskova is still the better of the two at the moment and should win.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Yesh:
Azarenka’s delayed comeback means that she’s not seeded, which is what allowed this matchup to happen. It’s unfortunate for Pliskova, who struggled mightily in her opening match. She has incredible power, but Azarenka should be better on the grass.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
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