Thursday will wrap up the second round of Wimbledon. It’s been an exciting week at the Championships until now. Day 4 will see most of the seeds, as only three seeds in this half of the draw lost on Tuesday. Will we see more fall on Thursday? It’s definitely possible, as Day 4 looks to have quality matchups. We’re going to do our best to predict the action for you, though. We predict every single match. This set of predictions contains four matches, but there are three other sets coming your way. (One features Sloane Stephens vs Yafan Wang, the second headlines Amanda Anisimova vs Magda Linette, and the third features Serena Williams vs Kaja Juvan.) Predicting Day 4 matches are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), Tracey Essex, and Jim Smith.
Wimbledon Day 4 Women’s Predictions
Lauren Davis vs Angelique Kerber
Tracey:
Lauren Davis made her way into the main draw as a Lucky Loser and she’s making the most of this opportunity. A straight sets opener should build the American’s confidence. But, against the Wimbledon defending champion, it’s a big ask. Kerber reached the semifinals of the Mallorca Open and the final at the Eastbourne International. The German’s grass court abilities are stellar, though the serve does need improvement. But that deficit won’t be enough for Davis to secure the win.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Jim:
Kerber has enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent weeks, highlighted by reaching the final in Eastbourne. Does that mean she will defend her title successfully? Probably not, although stranger things have certainly happened on a tennis court. Either way, don’t expect her title-defense to end against the Lucky Loser Davis, though she won’t have things all her own way.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Yesh:
Davis did well to reach the second round, but she’s not good enough to get through the defending champion and #5 seed. Expect Kerber to roll.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Harriet Dart vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Tracey:
Here’s a match between two players no one expected to get here. Beatriz Haddad Maia got to the main draw through qualifiers. Then in one of the tournament’s biggest upsets, Maia bounced the #26 seed, Garbine Muguruza. It was an impressive win in spite of eight double faults. Harriet Dart is the home crowd favorite – even garnering a visit from Dutchess Kate. The 22-year-old battled through a two hour, 19 minute match to secure the win over Lucky Loser Christina McHale. I think Maia’s confidence is soaring after defeating Muguruza and that will carry her through to the third round.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 3
Jim:
Dart scored a great win in the first round over Christina McHale, her first in the main draw at Wimbledon, and she will surely be eager to back it up. But Haddad Maia showed her quality and experience in besting the unsettled former-champion Garbine Muguruza in the first round and it is hard not to back the experienced Brazilian in this one.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 3
Yesh:
Dart is a hometown favorite, and for good reason. The British crowds love her. And she lucked into facing Haddad Maia, who took out an out-of-sorts Garbine Muguruza. Expect some fireworks from the fans as this one progresses.
Prediction: Dart in 3
Tamara Zidansek vs Qiang Wang
Tracey:
China’s Wang Qiang dropped only four games in her opener against Belorussian Vera Lapko. The #15 seed easily moved on to the second round. In that match, the Chinese woman won 80% of her first serve points along with five aces. Tamara Zidansek’s opener was anything but straightfowrward. The Slovenian pushed through a tough three setter against Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard for the win. The serve will be Zidansek’s downfall allowing Wang to earn a straight sets win.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Jim:
Zidansek played some great tennis to beat one-time finalist Eugenie Bouchard 8-6 in the third in the first round, but how much will she have left in the tank for this one? Up against the capable Wang, one rather suspects not enough.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Yesh:
Zidansek is a solid player who really impressed on the clay this year. It took a match against an out-of-sorts Eugenie Bouchard to reach the second round, though. And now she plays a very in-form Qiang Wang.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Taylor Townsend vs Kiki Bertens
Tracey:
There are few players able to beat Kiki Bertens at this juncture. The #4 seed is in exceptional form and can easily be considered a contender for the title.
Bertens in 2
Jim:
Bertens has responded well to the crushing disappointment of her early withdrawal at the French Open and should be targeting a good run at the All England Club. After dispatching Mandy Minella with ease in the first round, it is hard to see her having too many problems against Townsend of the USA.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
Yesh:
Townsend was once hailed as the next American star. Now she has been rapidly overtaken by players like Amanda Anisimova, Sofia Kenin, and Coco Gauff. She may get there someday, but at this point she’s nowhere near the level to challenge Bertens.
Bertens in 2
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
