After a start to the Championships featuring plenty of thrilling tennis and unpredictable upsets, day three in the women’s draw at Wimbledon 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 all 16 clashes.
That includes Eastbourne champion Karolina Pliskova vs 2016 Gold Medalist Monica Puig, former world #1 Caroline Wozniacki up against Veronika Kudermetova, and the all-Romanian clash between Simona Halep and Mihaela Buzarnescu. Offering their picks for these four matches are Jim Smith, Tracey Essex and Yesh Ginsburg.
Wimbledon Day 3 Predictions
Heather Watson vs Anett Kontaveit
Jim: Watson’s first-round victory over the American teenager Caty McNally was impressive, but she will face a serious step up in quality against the Estonian Kontaveit, seeded 20th. But Watson typically excels playing in front of the Wimbledon crowd and has a game well-suited to grass. Kontaveit, meanwhile, didn’t look entirely convincing in battling past Shelby Rogers. A famous win for Watson might just be on the cards then.
Prediction: Watson in 3
Tracey: After claiming a tight first set, Heather Watson dominated 17-year-old Caty McNally. A more experienced player would have attacked the Watson serve. The Brit will need to cut down on her double faults and up her first serve percentage. And, Kontaveit is exactly the player that will make Watson pay mightily.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 3
Yesh: Heather Watson eked out a nervy battle against 17-year-old Caty McNally that was much closer than its scoreline appeared. Her reward is a meeting with Anett Kontaveit. While Kontaveit has struggled for the past few months, she’s still a better player than Watson right now.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Elina Svitolina vs Margarita Gasparyan
Jim: It has been a rather difficult season for Svitolina and grass is far from her favourite surface. But she did look very sharp in dispatching Daria Gavrilova in the first round. However, she will have her work cut out for her against Gasparyan, who looks at home on the lawns of the All England Club. If she can replicate the serving display she put on against Anna-Lena Friedsam in the first round, Svitolina could find herself in real trouble.
Prediction: Gasparyan in 3
Tracey: Just two weeks ago Svitolina and Gasparyan met in Birmingham. Svitolina will be looking for a different outcome as the Russian created the upset. I’m sure the Ukrainian learned some important lesson from that loss. When Svitolina focused, she was able to rifle off eight games in a row, bagelling Daria Gavrilova in the second set to win her opener. I expect this match to be competitive but a healthy and focused Svitolina should make her way into the third round.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Yesh: Svitolina impressively made her way into the second round, and now she should have an easier match than she did against Daria Gavrilova. Maybe the Ukrainian can finally end her slump.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Cori Gauff vs Magdalena Rybarikova
Jim: Gauff’s win over her idol Venus Williams was hugely impressive, even if the veteran was not at her best. But it may well be difficult for the 15-year-old qualifier to guard against a let down. And Rybarikova, a semifinalist at Wimbledon in 2017, has more than enough quality to punish any drop in level from the young American.
Prediction: Rybarikova in 3
Tracey: Gauff turned in a stellar performance against veteran Williams. It was a commanding win where Gauff used measured rally balls until she found the opening for a surgical strike to the corners. Just 15-years-old, Gauff played with a composure belying her age. The teenager’s victory send shock waves worldwide. And, that may be her only challenge – dealing with the media exposure and growing expectations. Rybarikova’s upset of the 10th seed was completely overshadowed by Gauff’s unlikely success. Yet, Rybarikova played a stellar match, yielding only six games. I’m afraid Rybarikova will be overshadowed once again by the teen. Hard to pick against Gauff.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Yesh: Gauff had the win of her life over Venus Williams in Round 1, and her reward is a tough match against Magdalena Rybarikova. Rybarikova is a strong grass player who just obliterated Aryna Sabalenka. It hurts to say it, but expect the same to happen to Gauff.
Prediction: Rybarikova in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Viktorija Golubic vs Yulia Putintseva
Jim: Most of Putintseva’s success so far in her career has come on clay, but she showed in stunning world #2 Naomi Osaka in the first round that she can handle herself on a grass court as well. Golubic, meanwhile, played very well to best the young gun Iga Swiatek in straight sets and should offer the Kazakh a real challenge in this one. But it’s one Putintseva should be able to pass.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Tracey: Golubic’s exceptional return of serve allowed her to claim 100% of her break point opportunities. But the Swiss serve is a definite weakness and Putintseva will be well aware of how to capitalize. It seems that Putintseva is a sharp strategist with a keen understanding of how to break down her opponents’ deficits. After bouncing the #2 seed, this match should be easy for the Kazakh.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Yesh: Putintseva conquered Naomi Osaka by absolutely throwing the Japanese woman out of rhythm. Golubic is less of a raw power player so she might keep more rallies going, but she should suffer the same fate as the #2 seed did.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
