Wimbledon continues on Tuesday. Day 2 will see 32 more women’s singles matches as we wrap up the opening round. We’re here to predict as many of them as we can. For Day 2, we will be focusing on 16 matches. This article will contain four of them, and we also have three other sets of predictions. (One features Maria Sharapova vs Pauline Parmentier, the second headlines Serena Williams vs Giulia Gatto-Monticone, and the third features Amanda Anisimova vs Sorana Cirstea.) Predicting Day 2 matches for you are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), Jim Smith, and Tracey Essex.
Wimbledon Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Elena-Gabriela Ruse vs Julia Goerges
Jim:
After a career-best 2018, Goerges has failed to kick on this year. But she showed at the Birmingham Classic the same sort of tennis that took her to the Wimbledon semifinals last year. A repeat of that run may be beyond her reach, but a place in the second round is certainly achievable for the big-hitting German.
Prediction: Goerges in 2
Tracey:
Julia Gorges has a tough draw so it’s a gift to have Elena-Gabriela Ruse in her opener. The German will have a tough go after this round, but at least she’ll see Round 2.
Prediction: Goerges in 2
Yesh:
Ruse is a great story and an impressive young player. Her ranking may still be low, but it won’t be for too long. Expect her to be a mainstay on the WTA Tour in future years. Still, beating an in-form Goerges may be too much to ask of her right now. She’ll be ready for this stage soon, though.
Prediction: Goerges in 3
Carla Suarez Navarro vs Sam Stosur
Jim:
Both more at home on a clay court, this one may not be a grass-court classic. But there is no denying that Suarez Navarro and Stosur are both fine competitors. Suarez Navarro’s game is, however, unquestionably in better shape than Stosur’s, who has been finding wins hard to come by. Expect the Spaniard to edge it.
Prediction: Suarez Navarro in 3
Tracey:
If Sam Stosur could clean up her serve and avoid her backhand wing, she might have a shot. But the number 30 seed knows better than that. Suarez Navarro will find the weaker Stosur wing and count on the Aussie’s questionable second serve to claim the win. I expect Stosur to have some success at Wimbledon. After a first-round singles exit, she can work toward her doubles title.
Prediction: Suarez Navarro in 2
Yesh:
Suarez Navarro isn’t great on grass, though her skills on the surface are a bit underrated. Stosur, meanwhile, is tremendously overrated on the grass. You would think that a power-hitting Australian would like grass courts, but you’d be wrong. Stosur has competed at Wimbledon 15 times. She has won two matches here just twice, and has never reached the fourth round. Give me the Spaniard with relative ease.
Prediction: Suarez Navarro in 2
Sloane Stephens vs Timea Bacsinszky
Jim:
Stephens, who lost in the first round to Vekic last year, has received another difficult draw in the shape of Bacsinszky. But the American has been showing signs of life recently, though the nature of her straight-sets loss to Konta in Paris will likely be a concern. Nor has she historically had much success at Wimbledon. But her competitive spirit could well be just enough to see her past Bacsinszky.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Tracey:
Sloane Stephens’ lackluster games will need to be spot on if she hopes to have any chance at Wimbledon. The mental lapses and inconsistent play may get her through the World #85 Timea Bacsinszky, but not much further. I suspect Stephens will sharpen up her game after getting blown of the court at Eastbourne by Jelena Ostapenko. But, it’s a tough tournament and her gaps will be punished should they continue to occur. I say “just enough” for Stephens in her first match.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Yesh:
Bacsinszky is not an easy draw for anyone, let alone a somewhat struggling Stephens. Still, the American is just too good to lose in the Wimbledon first round two years in a row. It just won’t happen.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Donna Vekic vs Alison Riske
Jim:
On paper this is surely the best match of the first day. Both Vekic and Riske are excellent grass-courters in good form, Riske particularly so. Indeed, the American is almost a grass-court specialist. Up against the power of Vekic she will need to be. But after she won in Rosmalen in such style, it is hard not to back Riske.
Prediction: Riske in 3
Tracey:
An interesting match up between two competitive players. But, it’s Vekic who’s had her fair share of deep runs in notable tournaments. Granted, Alison Riske claimed the title in the Netherlands, taking out one of the tours hottest players, Kiki Bertens. But, overall Vekic has more consistent play and deep runs so I’ll give her the edge.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Yesh:
This is such a rough draw for both players. Vekic has been in such strong form for much of the season, but Riske is just too good on grass. This matchup could have just as easily come in a later round had they been drawn further apart. It will be a battle, but I think the American is just too good on this surface. She doesn’t have the results to prove it–but that’s just as much due to unfortunate draws as anything else.
Prediction: Riske in 2
Main Photo:
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