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 Ashleigh Barty vs Carla Suarez Navarro, Serena Williams vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich, Victoria Azarenka vs Kateryna Kozlova, Angelique Kerber vs Nina Stojanovic, Coco Gauff vs Francesca Jones, Jelena Ostapenko vs Leylah Annie Fernandez, and Bianca Andreescu vs Alize Cornet. Predicting these matches today are Tracey Essex, Damian Kust, and Jim Smith.
Wimbledon Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Magda Linette vs Amanda Anisimova
Jim:
It is hard to pinpoint the exact cause of Amanda Anisimova’s struggles, but the American does not seem to be playing with the same clarity of purpose that took her to the semifinals at the French Open in 2019. That being said, she played some good tennis last time out in Bad Homburg and will surely view this as a winnable match.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Tracey:
Anisimova won’t have the luxury of time to get into her rhythm. You can be certain Linette will take an aggressive posture, making a statement to the American from the start. Yet Anisimova’s statement comes in the form of a quarterfinal run in Germany. Anisimova will undoubtedly be pressured by the Pole, but not enough for an upset.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Damian:
Linette won this matchup here two years ago, and it doesn’t feel like Anisimova made a lot of progress since then. With all the power she has, it might be on her racket though. Linette has improved her serve recently, making this a toss-up.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Aliona Bolsova vs Paula Badosa
Jim:
Paula Badosa proved unable to carry her excellent clay-court form on to the grass in Eastbourne, although she was dealt a tough draw, coming up against second seed Elina Svitolina in her opener. This should be a more comfortable day at the office for the Spaniard up against her compatriot Aliona Bolsova. Bolsova is a gifted player, but a grass-court specialist she assuredly is not.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Tracey:
Badosa does her best work on clay so the slick surface may disrupt what has been a great year. I don’t see the disruption as anything more than a blip, and Badosa should move through with little opposition.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Damian:
Bolsova didn’t play a warm-up and definitely isn’t in good form. Not that Badosa will be in brilliant rhythm on this surface, but the recently gained confidence should really help with this favorable draw.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Elena Vesnina vs Martina Trevisan
Jim:
Elena Vesnina rolled back the years during the clay-court season, picking up a handful of fine wins, although her focus remained primarily on the doubles. This looks like another good opportunity for the Russian, with Martina Trevisan in indifferent form.
Prediction: Vesnina in 3
Tracey:
Vesnina hasn’t played a match on grass since 2017. A four year absence is bound to put the Russian at a disadvantage. Compare that lack of preparation to Trevisan’s dismal record on grass and you’re looking at contest between two players who grass pedigree is weak. I give the edge to Vesnina who has more experience.
Prediction: Vesnina in 3
Damian:
It’s still early in Vesnina’s comeback, but the former semifinalist got a perfect draw. Trevisan only won one match on grass in her career and should allow the Russian to play her game.
Prediction: Vesnina in 2
Barbora Krejcikova vs Clara Tauson
Jim:
This does not look like being the most straightforward return to action for Barbora Krejcikova, who will be taking to the court as a Grand Slam champion for the first time. But the Czech’s skill in the forecourt should serve her well on the grass and Clara Tauson is still more comfortable on the clay.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Tracey:
Barbora Krejcikova has been in exceptional form, the champion at Roland Garros. Yet, there’s been zero match prep in the grass court swing. Will that hurt the fourteenth seed? Probably not in the first round, but as the competition gets stiffer, the lack of prep may prove her downfall.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Damian:
Is a first Grand Slam title hangover coming? Krejcikova last played singles on grass in 2017 but won here in doubles the year after. Along with Tauson’s rough debut on the surface last week, I think she should survive, at least for now.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
