Wimbledon started strong on Monday. We saw plenty of thrilling tennis and unpredictable upsets, day three in the women’s draw at the All England Club promises to be a cracker. A number of big names and fast rising young stars are in action and here at Last Word on Tennis we are offering predictions for 16 of the best clashes.
That includes Eastbourne champion Karolina Pliskova vs 2016 Gold Medalist Monica Puig, Elina Svitolina against Margarita Gasparyan and the former-world #1 Caroline Wozniacki’s clash with young gun Veronika Kudermetova. Offering their tips for these four matches are Jim Smith, Tracey Essex and Yesh Ginsburg.
Wimbledon Day 3 Predictions
Simona Halep vs Mihaela Buzarnescu
Jim: Halep was given a real scare by Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the first round, not least because of a nasty fall she took early on. And her task will get no easier against the crafty Buzarnescu in this all Romanian battle. Halep at her best would most likely win this match, but it is a while since we have seen Halep at her best. Expect Buzarnescu to take advantage.
Prediction: Buzarnescu in 3
Tracey: The #7 seed looks to be in form – great movement, returning serve well and able to fight off break points. Her compatriot Mihaela Buzarnescu was able to secure an opening round win, though it was against a player usually seen at the ITF level. It’s a tall task to beat Simona Halep when all the cylinders are firing. And, her countrywoman has little chance of an upset.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Yesh: This match is just too good for a Slam second round. Buzarnescu would almost certainly have been seeded if she was healthy recently. That’s the luck of the draw, though. Expect a great match, but Halep should just barely be able to fight off the upset.
Prediction: Halep in 3
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Petra Martic vs Anastasija Potapova
Jim: Potapova, yet another superbly gifted young star in the women’s game, looks certain to have a bright future ahead of her. But she will be hard up against it facing the experienced Martic, who recently enjoyed a run to the French Open quarterfinals. The Croatian was tested in the first round against Brady and will likely face more of the same against Potapova. But expect her to surpass the Russian’s challenge.
Prediction: Martic in 3
Tracey: Martic has made the quarterfinals or better in her last five tournaments, including her maiden WTA title in Istanbul. The Croat is definitely one of the tour’s hottest players. Two weeks ago, Martic reached the semifinals on the grass at Birmingham. I expect the trend to continue with at least a quarterfinal appearance from the Croat.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Yesh: Martic is in good form coming off a French Open semifinal, and she gets to face Anastasia Potapova, who made an impressive comeback to defeat Jil Teichmann on Monday. Martic is just too good here.
Prediction: Martic in 2
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Kirsten Flipkens vs Hsieh Su-wei
Jim: This should be a real gem of a match. Both Flipkens and Hsieh like to play aggressive tennis, but they rely more on guile and court craft than outright power. On the fast grass-courts at Wimbledon that should make for a most entertaining clash. But it is hard to see any result other than a Hsieh victory. Flipkens did make the semifinals at the All England Club six years ago, but six years is a long time in tennis.
Prediction: Hsieh in 2
Tracey: Wimbledon is a great venue for Hsieh to showcase her crafty game. That’s exactly what last year’s semifinalist Jelena Ostapenko experienced in her opener against the Taiwanese. The 28th seed will be at her tricky best against Flipkens. While Flipkens leads the head to head, Hsieh’s only win over Flipkens came at Eastbourne in 2017. Hsieh’s variety should stymie the Belgian.
Prediction: Hsieh in 2
Yesh: Hsieh absolutely befuddled Jelena Ostapenko in the first round. Flipkens will be better-equipped to deal with the Taiwan native’s variety, but ultimately Hsieh is playing too well right now to lose this match.
Prediction: Hsieh in 2
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Madison Keys vs Polona Hercog
Jim: Keys has slightly flattered to deceive so far on the grass in her career, though she did reach the quarterfinals in 2015. She unquestionably has the tools needed to succeed on this surface, as she showed by brushing aside Thailand’s Luksika Kumkhum in the first round. Hercog, who edged past Kuzmova in the first round will likely offer more resistance, but Keys should nonetheless have more than enough to advance.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Tracey: Perhaps the most interesting match of the day and difficult to call. Keys tends to underperform on grass so there’s no easy win in store for the American. Hercog doesn’t have a great record on grass. But, the Slovenian pushed Halep to a decider in Eastbourne before falling in the decider 3-6. I give the ever-so-slight edge to Hercog because she seems to surprise higher ranked but underperforming opponents.
Prediction: Hercog in 3
Yesh: Madison Keys was dominant in dismissing Luksika Kumkhum. Hercog has the power to make the scoreline a little more respectable, but expect a straightforward win for the American.
Prediction: Keys in 2
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