On Manic Monday at Wimbledon, all 16 main draw matches across both draws will be completed. The slate of matches includes clashes between men’s world #1 Novak Djokovic and young gun Ugo Humbert, Roger Federer in action against the in-form Matteo Berrettini and seventh seed Simona Halep up against teenaged qualifier Cori Gauff, and here at LWOT we are offering predictions for all of them. Giving their picks for these four matches are Jim Smith, Yesh Ginsburg and Steen Kirby.
Wimbledon Manic Monday Predictions
Ashleigh Barty vs Alison Riske
Jim: Riske is surely the most dangerous opponent that world #1 Barty has yet faced at the All England Club. The American is, after all, something of a grass-court specialist and won the title in Rosmalen. But does she have enough in her game to derail Barty, who hasn’t lost a match since the Italian Open in May? Probably not.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Yesh: Riske has had a good run through Surbiton and ‘s-Hertogenbosch, but it ends here against the World #1. Barty is just way too strong for anyone right now.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Steen: The world #1 Barty is playing great, having won her last two tournaments, but the American Riske is great on the grass and will have a genuine chance of causing an upset here. I expect Barty to be tested then, but to prevail in the end.
Prediction: Barty in 3
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Serena Williams vs Carla Suarez Navarro
Jim: Williams looked slightly shaky in her first two matches at the Championships, but she was back to something approaching her best in the third round as she swept Julia Goerges. Suarez Navarro, meanwhile, has played some fine tennis en route to reaching the second week at Wimbledon for the third time in her career. But she has lost all six of her meetings with Williams without winning a set and it is hard to imagine the seventh being any different.
Prediction: William in 2
Yesh: The Spaniard is always a solid player, but she’ll have no answer for Serena’s power here. As long as Williams is dialled in, she’ll win easily.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Steen: Serena has never lost to Suarez Navarro and this is grass, the surface the Spaniard is by some distance the least comfortable on. This tournament has shown that anything is possible at Wimbledon, but Williams is definitely the safer pick of the pair.
Prediction: Williams in 2
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Barbora Strycova vs Elise Mertens
Jim: The veteran Strycova has rolled back the years so far in south-west London, scoring three fine victories, including over fourth seed Kiki Bertens, to reach the second week. Mertens too has been in good form and edged out Wang Qiang in a three-set thriller in the third round. But there can be no doubt that it is Strycova who has the better grass-court game and, as a result, expect her to reach her second Wimbledon quarterfinal.
Prediction: Strycova in 3
Yesh: Strycova is coming off such an impressive win over Bertens, who she demolished in straight sets in the third round. After seeing that, it’s hard to see what the Belgian Mertens can bring to the court to challenge her.
Prediction: Strycova in 2
Steen: Mertens won their only head-to-head meeting, which came last year at the US Open in the third round. Both players are in good form and this will be tight, but when it doubt I’ll go with the head-to-head record.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
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Johanna Konta vs Petra Kvitova
Jim: Konta has thus far dealt with the pressure of her status as British #1 impressively at this year’s Championships, not least in her 3-6 6-4 6-1 comeback win over Sloane Stephens in the third round. But in the last 16, two-time former champion Kvitova will serve up another stern test of her credentials. The Czech star has yet to drop a set this fortnight and looks to be gearing up for a real run at the title. And Konta, for all her quality, cannot match Kvitova at her attacking best.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3
Yesh: I feel bad for Johanna Konta here. She’s playing so well, and she’s in front of her home crowd, but she’s up against an absolute buzzsaw. Even with her early struggles against Mladenovic, it’s hard to see anyone but Ash Barty beating Kvitova right now.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Steen: Konta is the home hope, but Kvitova owns the head-to-head record, having won three of their four matches, and hasn’t dropped a set yet at the All England Club. Konta will have the support of crowd, but expect this to be really tough for the Briton.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
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