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, Karolina Pliskova vs Tamara Zidansek, Madison Keys vs Katie Swan, Venus Williams vs Mihaela Buzarnescu, and Sofia Kenin vs Xinyu Wang. Predicting this set of matches are Fraser Learmonth, Tracey Essex, and Jakub Bobro.
Wimbledon Women’s Day 1 Predictions
Liudmilla Samsonova vs Kaia Kanepi
Fraser:
Kanepi is a true veteran of the tour who can never be written off. She has the game to trouble the best on the women’s tour on her day. However, Samsonova is fresh off a first WTA title on grass and is full of confidence ahead of the Wimbledon main draw. She may lack the experience in big events that Kanepi has, but she should have enough to best the Estonian here.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
Tracey:
A recent grass court title certainly shows Samsonova’s prowess. Combine that with the fact that Kanepi has had no tournament play on grass–this looks to be a fairly one-sided affair.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Jakub:
Samsonova is coming into Wimbledon after winning Berlin as a qualifier, ousting players such as Keys, Azarenka, or Bencic en route to the title. In the Russian’s first main draw appearance, she should definitely be someone to watch. Her opponent, the Estonian veteran, is known for pulling off upsets at big stages as evidenced by wins over Sabalenka and Kenin just in 2021. Kanepi has reached the quarterfinals twice at Wimbledon, but hasn’t made it past the second round since 2013.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Tereza Martincova vs Alison Riske
Fraser:
This would have been a one-sided affair in the other direction a year or two ago. Riske was one of the better players on the tour in 2019 and would have been a clear favorite here. However, she is desperately short of form and match fitness after a couple of injuries derailed her 2020 campaign and most of this year as well. Martincova is in better form and playing better tennis. She should move on.
Prediction: Martincova in 3
Tracey:
Riske may have reached the quarterfinals in 2019 – the skills is certainly there. But, her lack of tournament play will present a challenge for the American. Second round losses in Nottingham and Eastbourne don’t bode well for a deep run. However, Martincova doesn’t have the experience which Riske does. I expect Riske to struggle in the opener, but find a way through.
Prediction: Riske in 3
Jakub:
Martincova has never made it past the first round of Wimbledon. She is coming in with a 6-2 record on grass this year, scoring a win over Ostapenko at Birmingham. The Czech may not have the previous results, but she will be a tricky out. Unlike Martincova, Riske is a well-known grass court player, struggling at Wimbledon though until her quarterfinal run in 2019, beating Bencic and Barty before going out in three sets to Serena Williams
Prediction: Riske in 3
Madison Brengle vs Christina McHale
Fraser:
This all-American affair could go either way. McHale probably has the higher ceiling of the two, but Brengle has better results to her name recently. I think McHale suits grass a little more and should get more for her money with her powerful forehand. This will likely go the distance but I expect her to edge it in the end.
Prediction: McHale in 3
Tracey:
McHale’s only grass results in the lead up tournament was a first round loss in Eastbourne–albeit a competitive loss against Bianca Andreescu. McHale leads the head to head. Yet, grass is going to present a much different challenge. Brengle is more consistent and will adapt better to this surface.
Prediction: Brengle in 3
Jakub:
Curiously, these two Americans of similar ages who have been on the tour for years have only faced each other once, back in 2010. Their records at Wimbledon are also similar, reaching one third round Brengle. However, has a better record on grass over her career and is having a superior year to McHale.
Prediction: Brengle in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Su-Wei Hsieh
Fraser:
Iga Swiatek is still finding her feet on grass. She faces a tricky first round opponent in Hsieh. Hsieh’s awkward style makes her difficult to get used to regardless of surface. However, Swiatek had proven that she is going to be a force to be reckoned with for years to come and should move on in this match relatively comfortably.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Tracey:
Swiatek hasn’t adapted well to the low bounce and slick surface which grass presents. While she has the speed to pick up Hsieh’s deft drop shots, Swiatek will need to better anticipate Hsieh’s shots. The Taiwanese has such craft and clever disguise, it could leave Swiatek watching far too many balls land out of reach. Iga Swiatek may lead the head to head, but this is going to be challenge for the Pole. If Swiatek can take control and use her powerful forehand, she can prevent a Hsieh upset.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Jakub:
The 2020 French Open champion comes into Wimbledon as the seventh seed, though with middling results on grass as a pro. Though Swiatek is the 2018 Junior Wimbledon champion, her pro record of 4-4 on the surface is less than convincing. Hsieh has had an odd 2021, first achieving her best Slam result of her career, reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, but has struggled since. Though not much can be expected from Hsieh on clay, she didn’t impress in Birmingham either. She is 35 now, so some decline would be expected, but grass is where she is the most dangerous and Hsieh will certainly relish this big occasion.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Main Photo:
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