Day 1 of Wimbledon is one of the most hectic days on the tennis calendar. Half of the first round–32 men’s matches and 32 women’s matches–will be completed on Monday. As always, we’re here at LWOT to share our thoughts on all of them for you. The women’s matches are split between eight sets of predictions. In addition to this article, we have articles featuring Petra Kvitova vs Sloane Stephens, Garbine Muguruza vs Fiona Ferro, Jessica Pegula vs Caroline Garcia, Iga Swiatek vs Su-Wei Hsieh, Madison Keys vs Katie Swan, Venus Williams vs Mihaela Buzarnescu, and Sofia Kenin vs Xinyu Wang. Predicting this set of matches are Andrew Watson, Jim Smith, and Damian Kust.
Wimbledon Women’s Day 1 Predictions
Jodie Anna Burrage vs Lauren Davis
Andrew:
An intriguing clash. The Brit is showing good signs of development in her young career but I rate this as a tricky assignment for her. Davis has been on the grass for a full three weeks and has the aggressive game that can produce good results on the surface. A tight battle predicted but Davis’ experience and quality will give her the edge.
Prediction: Davis in 3
Jim:
On paper this looks like an excellent opportunity for Jodie Anna Burrage to reach the second round at Wimbledon against a player in indifferent form in Lauren Davis. But the American is a wily and experienced campaigner, whilst Burrage has found wins hard to come by of late. This is an opportunity that might just pass her by.
Prediction: Davis in 3
Damian:
Burrage didn’t look great in Nottingham and Eastbourne and she might end up as the least successful British wild card here. Davis is a seasoned pro that rarely goes beyond a certain level and reached the third round here before.
Prediction: Davis in 2
Irina-Camelia Begu vs Katie Volynets
Andrew:
The young American is causing a stir, not least with the tennis name lovers going mental over her surname. She is up against an experienced opponent here but Begu’s grass experiences are not positive ones. She has eight career wins from 25 matches on the green stuff and Volynets probably has the edge despite her relative lack of matches on grass. I am backing a first Wimbledon main draw victory for Volynets.
Prediction: Volynets in 2
Jim:
Katie Volynets looked very sharp in coming through the qualifying, with only Beatriz Haddad Maia offering any real resistance to the American. She may not find things quite so straightforward in the main draw up against Irina-Camelia Begu, who has been ranked as high as world #22. But Volynets should still have the edge, with Begu hardly known for her grass-court pedigree.
Prediction: Volynets in 2
Damian:
Volynets was just brutal in her qualifying campaign, not losing a single set. Begu has a lot more experience but a rather poor win/loss record on the grass. The American’s match rhythm gives her the edge as the Romanian hasn’t played since the French Open.
Prediction: Volynets in 3
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Laura Siegemund
Andrew:
The Russian looks to me to be a dark horse for the tournament. She has shown improvement in 2021 and is a factor in most tournaments she enters. Siegemund is known to be usually more dangerous on slower surfaces and avoids the grass where possible. Alexandrova beat Siegemund in their last clash as well, and that was on a quick surface, so that form line is there.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Jim:
Ekaterina Alexandrova’s record at Wimbledon is far from impressive, with the Russian having lost her last four matches at the All England Club. But her game is relatively well-suited to grass-court tennis, as she showed by reaching the quarterfinals in Berlin. Expect Alexandrova to snap her losing streak at the All England Club here.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Damian:
A faster surface should give the hard-hitting Russian a decent advantage in this matchup. Siegemund might not be able to handle her power as well as she could on her favorite clay.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Karolina Pliskova vs Tamara Zidansek
Andrew:
Every year Wimbledon comes around and I think that Karolina Pliskova could or should do something. Her serve and groundstrokes seem to be so suited to the grass, and indeed she is a player who has tournament wins on the surface, not many can say that. However, she just can’t seem to get on with the tournament. I feel that there will be a similar story here, Zidansek is a very capable player, as she showed two weeks ago in Paris and that breakthrough could give her the confidence to continue that form. Though she has little grass pedigree I’m going to back her to shock the Czech here.
Prediction: Zidansek in 3
Jim:
This feels like very bad luck for Karolina Pliskova and Tamara Zidansek. But with Pliskova seemingly unable to even buy a win, it is probably a better time to be in Zidansek’s camp. The Slovenian has not played since reaching the semifinals at the French Open, but expect her to make a winning return to action against the struggling eighth seed.
Prediction: Zidansek in 3
Damian:
Pliskova was always mentioned as one of the contenders for Wimbledon, but it never worked out. Perhaps now that she’s hardly talked about after two opening-round losses in the warm-ups, she can get on a bit of a run. Zidansek’s in great form but her grass experience is lacking.
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
Main Photo:
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