The oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world continues on Tuesday. What does Day 2 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 2, 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 Maria Sharapova vs Pauline Parmentier, the second headlines Serena Williams vs Giulia Gatto-Monticone, and the third features Donna Vekic vs Alison Riske.) Predicting Day 2 matches for you are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), Jim Smith, and Tracey Essex.
Wimbledon Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Ashleigh Barty vs Saisai Zheng
Jim:
Barty is rightly the favorite for the title in Wimbledon after a stunning few months that have seen her claim titles at the Miami Open, Roland Garros, and the Birmingham Classic and reach the #1 ranking. She will have to contend with the pressure that comes with that, but she should have more than enough against Zheng.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Tracey:
Zheng Saisai has a dismal record on grass, exiting in the opening round at the Mallorca Open and the Eastbourne International. It would be tough to pick Zheng for a win, regardless of the opponent. And, against World #1 and top seed Ashleigh Barty? An easy win for the Aussie.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Yesh:
Barty is coming off a French Open title, and she transitioned to grass with ease. She won Birmingham and moved to World #1. A loss here would be a massive shock. It’s not happening.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Angelique Kerber vs Tatjana Maria
Jim:
This has the potential to prove a very testing affair for the defending champion Kerber. Her form has improved recently after a poor start to the season and she is obviously a more than accomplished grass-courter. But so too is Maria. Her serve-volleying style and wicked slice are built for the grass court, and if there is to be a big upset in the first round, expect it to come in this match.
Prediction: Maria in 3
Tracey:
Tatjana Maria is always a tricky opponent. And, that devastating slice will be a true weapon on this surface. But, Kerber is one of the best grass courters around and I don’t think the defending champion will be going home just yet.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Yesh:
Despite a very disappointing showing in the Eastbourne final against Karolina Pliskova, I don’t think Kerber will struggle here. She’s the defending champion and one of the best in the world. She’ll enjoy her return to Centre Court, and she shouldn’t have any trouble moving on to the second round.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Tamara Zidansek vs Eugenie Bouchard
Jim:
It has been a long five years since Bouchard reached her first and thus far only Major final at Wimbledon. She has struggled ever since and the chances of a return to a Grand Slam final look slim. But she still excels at taking the ball early, which grass-court tennis rewards. Zidansek, making her main draw debut in SW19, seems likely to struggle.
Prediction: Bouchard in 3
Tracey:
Zidansek turned in some solid performances during the clay court season, but has yet to take to the grass. Up against an inconsistent and often distracted Eugenie Bouchard, the Slovenian has a decent chance for an opening round win. Yet, we’ve seen Bouchard rise to the occasion and play some solid tennis. I’ll look for that during the North American hard court swing, but not at Wimbledon.
Prediction: Zidansek in 3
Yesh:
Zidansek very quietly picked up some good results on clay this year. Replicating that on grass will be a tough ask. Eugenie Bouchard has seen her career fall apart rapidly, but we have to remember that she reached the final here just five years ago. She really enjoys the grass, and should be good for at least one win at Wimbledon.
Prediction: Bouchard in 2
Amanda Anisimova vs Sorana Cirstea
Jim:
Anisimova had quite the French Open, reaching the semifinals, and will surely be desperate to back that up at the All England Club. And whilst her game does look better suited to slower surfaces, she has the sort of weaponry to do damage on a slick grass court. Cirstea has the experience and quality to make a match of this, but expect the young American to hit her way to victory in the end.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Tracey:
Seems Amanda Anisimova found her footing on grass at the Mallorca Open. After struggling in the first round, the American easily dispatched Alize Cornet then fell to the #3 seed Belinda Bencic. It was a respectable outing for Anisimova’s first WTA grass court tournament. I’m confident she’ll take those lessons learned and use them to move into the second round.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Yesh:
Anisimova looked solid in Mallorca, and is far more consistent this year than last year, when she began her breakthrough. She is coming off a huge run at the French Open, and clay is her least favorite surface. This 17-year-old future star is growing up right in front of us, and she’s going to go deep here as well.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Main Photo:
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