The oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world begins on Monday. What does Day 1 of Wimbledon have in store for us? Expect plenty of action, and we’re here at LWOT to try to predict it for you. For Day 1, we will be predicting 16 matches. This article will contain four of them, and we also have three more sets of predictions coming your way. (One features Naomi Osaka vs Yulia Putintseva, the second headlines Venus Williams vs Cori Gauff, and the third features Elina Svitolina vs Daria Gavrilova.) Predicting Day 1 matches for you are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), David Adair, and Tracey Essex.
Wimbledon Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Magdalena Rybarikova vs Aryna Sabalenka
Tracey:
Rybarikova is not a great grass court player. And, Sabalenka has been playing with more determination. Should be a nice win for the #10 seed.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
David:
Aryna Sabalenka has had a poor season, but she showed grit and guile to come back from the dead against Caroline Wozniacki in Eastbourne. Rybarikova is an accomplished grass courter, but her fitness is still in doubt. She retired after losing the first set 6-1 to Astra Sharma in Nottingham. Sabalenka has a 16-10 win-loss record on grass for her career and her recent match sharpness should give her the edge.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Yesh:
Sabalenka had some struggles this year, but she looks back in good form. Her power tennis should thrive on the grass, but she opens against an opponent whose skills are also suited for this surface. This should be a very close match between two players in solid grass form.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Petra Martic vs Jennifer Brady
Tracey:
After a run to the semifinals at the Birmingham Classic, Martic should feel quite comfortable on grass. I certainly don’t expect a repeat of last year’s first round exit at Wimbledon. The #24 seed should get through this one, albeit a few difficult moments may crop up.
Prediction: Martic in 2
David:
Both Croatian Petra Martic and American Jennifer Brady have a grass court semifinal appearance under their belts this season, at Birmingham and Nottingham, respectively. Brady then came unstuck in Birmingham, but against an inspired Ashleigh Barty who is unbeaten this season on grass. The big-serving Brady is playing to a decent level and her shot range is suited to grass. Therefore, in a close match, she may just edge it.
Prediction: Brady in 3
Yesh:
Martic made her way to the French Open quarterfinals. Though her showing in that match was disappointing, she didn’t show any ill effects from it after the move to grass. The Croatian is playing the best tennis of her life, and should have no struggles here, even against a solid grass court player.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Marketa Vondrousova vs Madison Brengle
Tracey:
Vondrousova didn’t do well in Eastbourne. Though I won’t read much into that. Brengle may force the #16 seed into places she doesn’t care to be occasionally. But, it’s the French Open finalist who will dictate much of this match.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
David:
Madison Brengle comes into Wimbledon having suffered a shock first round defeat to Bibiane Schoofs at an Ilkley ITF event. Whilst Grass is not Marketa Vondrousova’s favourite surface, she is a class act and a Slam winner in the making. She should progress through this match relatively untroubled.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Yesh:
Honestly, I see an upset here. Vondrousova was amazing with her variety in her French Open run, but grass is a different story. She has a 1-6 career record on the surface. Brengle, meanwhile, is 5-4 on grass, plus some solid results at ITF events in Manchester and Surbiton. The American is more comfortable on the surface, has more experience on it, and has a game more suited to it.
Prediction: Brengle in 2
Alize Cornet vs Victoria Azarenka
Tracey:
If Victoria Azarenka gets those elusive first serves in, Alize Cornet doesn’t stand a chance. Yet, you know there’ll be some sketchy service games from Vika. Azarenka continues to lose matches because of her serve. But, the Belorussian is working hard to improve this area–and, it’s really the last piece before the former World #1 is back in form. I think the Azarenka fight will get her through a tough match.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
David:
Azarenka owns the head-to-head 5-0, but the pair have never met on grass. Azarenka is a two time semifinalist here and whilst she lost her only match on the surface this season, it was a close match against Caroline Garcia. Cornet is 4-2 on the surface this year, although she looked lethargic at times while defeating Heather Watson in the Eastbourne 1st round; the Brit let her back into the first set when seemingly in control. Azarenka is ruthless and if establishing a foothold in the match early, she could dominate Cornet.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Yesh:
A few years ago, this would have been a blockbuster match. It’s honestly hard to imagine that Cornet’s career high ranking came over a decade ago. This match is still a good one, but it’s too players going in different directions. The Frenchwoman is very slowly declining from her peak form, while Azarenka is working her way back to where she was before she left the game to have a child. And that form was good enough to win two Slams.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Main Photo:
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