After a start to Wimbledon featuring 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 all 16 of Wednesday’s clashes.
That includes Eastbourne champion Karolina Pliskova vs 2016 Gold Medalist Monica Puig, Elina Svitolina against Margarita Gasparyan and the all-Romanian clash between Simona Halep and Mihaela Buzarnescu. Offering their tips for these four matches are Jim Smith, Tracey Essex and Yesh Ginsburg.
Wimbledon Day 3 Predictions
Caroline Wozniacki vs Veronika Kudermetova
Jim: Wozniacki is just one of several established names on the WTA tour who has endured a difficult season as she has struggled to find form and fitness. Kudermetova, in contrast, has enjoyed a fine grass-court season so far and impressed in thrashing Ysaline Bonaventure in the first round. Expect her to prove too strong for the Danish 14th seed.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Tracey: It took some serious effort for Wozniacki to overcome a 0-4 deficit against Sorribes Tormo. In fact, had Sorribes Tormo not withdrawn with a lumbar injury, I doubt Wozniacki would have this second round berth. A serious threat for the Dane, Kudermetova moved through her first round in just 64 minutes, dropping only six games. The #14 seed has never reached the quarterfinals in London and I don’t think that’ll change. I’ll back the Russian for the win.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Yesh: Wozniacki gets a rematch against the player who knocked her out in the first round of the French Open. The Dane is healthier now, and grass suits her better than clay, surprisingly enough.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
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Danielle Collins vs Anastasija Sevastova
Jim: Sevastova has once again put together an impressively consistent season and she will have high hopes of a deep run at Wimbledon after proving her grass-court credentials with a run to the final in Mallorca. Collins, meanwhile, who started the season so impressively in Melbourne has rather failed to kick on since. And she seems destined to struggle against the accurate, penetrative hitting of Sevastova.
Prediction: Sevastova in 2
Tracey: Sevastova is a solid grass courter, as evidenced by her semifinal run at the Mallorca Open. Collins’ only grass court lead-up to Wimbledon was Eastbourne where she retired at 0-5 in her opening match. And the spunky American exited in the first round at Wimbledon in 2018. With proven accomplishments on grass, I give Sevastova the edge.
Prediction: Sevastova in 2
Yesh: Collins got through Zarina Diyas in straight sets, though she struggled a bit in the second. That’s not a high enough level to deal with Sevastova.
Prediction: Sevastova in 2
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Marie Bouzkova vs Maria Sakkari
Jim: Bouzkova impressed in coming through the qualifying and still has not yet dropped a set. But she will face a stern test against the Greek Sakkari, seeded 31st at this year’s Championships. Sakkari has played some excellent tennis this year, albeit a little inconsistently, and should have enough to account for the young Czech.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Tracey: Four matches under her belt, and Bouzkova hasn’t dropped at set yet. The Czech is playing quite well. But, Sakkari is a tough competitor and it’s doubtful she will succumb to the qualifier. Sakkari will push Bouzkova back and create the space for her powerful forehand winners.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Yesh: No one is talking about Maria Sakkari right now, but they really should. She’s in strong form and could go very deep in this tournament. It’s time to start paying attention.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
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Yanina Wickmayer vs Zhang Shuai
Jim: Zhang’s victory over 23rd seed Caroline Garcia was surely one of the most impressive of the first round as she dropped just four games in dispatching the Frenchwoman. But the experienced qualifier Wickmayer has been playing some good ball herself so far at the All England Club and will surely believe she has a real chance of manufacturing a good run. Expect her to just edge out China’s Zhang.
Prediction: Wickmayer in 3
Tracey: Zhang’s win over #23 seed Garcia was most impressive. The Chinese dropped only four games en route to the victory. Wickmayer, meanwhile, has spent a lot of time on the grass, with two of her three qualifier matches going the distance. The Belgian brought in a good win over Rebecca Peterson but I see that being her last win in SW19.
Prediction: Zhang in 2
Yesh: This match is a bit of a toss-up, but the way that Zhang dominated Caroline Garcia can’t be overlooked. At the very least, this match will be far closer than that was.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
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