Day 2 of Wimbledon is one of the two busiest days in tennis. 64 women will compete in 32 matches to move on to the second round. We here at LWOT will be predicting all of them for you, split between eight articles. In addition to this article, the other seven feature Barbora Krejcikova vs Clara Tauson, Serena Williams vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich, Victoria Azarenka vs Kateryna Kozlova, Ashleigh Barty vs Carla Suarez Navarro, Coco Gauff vs Francesca Jones, Jelena Ostapenko vs Leylah Annie Fernandez, and Bianca Andreescu vs Alize Cornet. Predicting these matches today are Tracey Essex, Andrew Watson, and Yesh Ginsburg.
Wimbledon Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Katerina Siniakova vs Yafan Wang
Yesh:
Konta’s withdrawal due to COVID rules was a boon for Yafan Wang, but it won’t last long. She’s matched up with a player who’s better than her in general and on grass.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Tracey:
No doubt, Siniakova is in good touch. Her recent final appearance in Bad Homburg demonstrates her grass court skill. While perhaps still a stronger doubles player, her singles game continues to impress. This should be routine win for the Czech.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Andrew:
The late withdrawal of Konta changes things here. Wang will be delighted to get the chance to play in the main draw but the Czech is in good form and I expect her to take this easier assignment.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Elina Svitolina vs Alison Van Uytvanck
Yesh:
In theory, at her best, Van Uytvanck could challenge Svitolina on grass. Unfortunately, the Belgian hasn’t been anywhere near her best in a fair while. I expect Svitolina to cruise.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Tracey:
An entertaining match is in store for this opener. The usually consistent Svitolina has struggled mightily in Berlin and Eastbourne. However, her semifinal run in 2019 clearly shows the skill of the World #5. In what has been a disappointing year for Van Uytvanck, she is coming off a good stretch. She won the ITF 100k n Nottingham and reached the quarterfinals in the WTA installment. If Svitolina can find her form, she is clearly the strong player. Yet Van Uytvanck’s confidence is high and she will take advantage of Svitolina’s struggles. The match is really on Svitolina’s racquet.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Andrew:
The Ukrainian is usually relatively consistent in getting through to the second week of slams but this could be tricky. The Belgian is no slouch on grass with her tall frame giving her an advantage on serve. However, the class difference could prove too much on this occasion.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Ana Bogdan vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Yesh:
Pavlyuchenkova is playing well and consistently, and she finally looks like the player we’ve all expected her to be for a decade. She’s great on all surfaces, and she gets a challenge she should win in the first round. Now that she’s tasted better success at a Major, she’ll be able to replicate it more easily.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Tracey:
Pavlyuchenkova is in better form, has the momentum, and is a higher caliber player. While the Russian didn’t fare well in Eastbourne, Bogdan hasn’t played a single grass court match. We’ve seen Pavlyuchenkova upset by much lower ranked players. But, I can’t see that happening in this one.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Andrew:
The French Open finalist tried to prepare for Wimbledon at Eastbourne but bumped into an inspired Jelena Ostapenko there. Though she will be inspired by her French Open form I’m sure she would’ve preferred a more thorough preparation. Nevertheless I still make the Russian favourite here.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Angelique Kerber vs Nina Stojanovic
Yesh:
Stojanovic should not be underrated, but neither should Kerber. The German had a few years off the top of the game since she got there, but she’s looking in solid form right now. She’s no longer completely elite, but she’s also closer to that than Stojanovic is.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Tracey:
It hasn’t been an easy year for the German. Kerber has had more than her fair share of defeats. But Kerber always seems to play her best on grass, especially at Wimbledon. The Bad Homburg champion will be ready to start strong, leaving little challenge for Stojanovic.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Andrew:
Both of these players have shown some pedigree on the grass this summer. However, the German has history on her side as well and her run to victory at Bad Homburg showed that she still has the energy to win tournaments.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
