With a number of star names set to take to the court on day four at Wimbledon, an excellent day of tennis looks to be in store. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate including Ashleigh Barty vs Anna Blinkova, Victoria Azarenka vs Sorana Cirstea and Andrea Petkovic vs Barbora Krejcikova. But who will reach the third round at the All England Club?
Wimbledon Day 4 Predictions
Daria Kasatkina vs Jelena Ostapenko
Jim: This is a tough draw for this pair, who had both arrived at Wimbledon in good form. But it is Jelena Ostapenko who has looked the more impressive of late. The Latvian arrived at the All England Club fresh from winning the title in Eastbourne, where she beat none other than Daria Kasatkina in the quarterfinals. Expect her to get the better of the Russian once again.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Damian: What a blockbuster. Ostapenko won a close one at Eastbourne last week with both women absolutely on top of their game. Looking at how they’ve done in the opening round here, the Latvian seems the sensible pick as Kasatkina actually allowed herself to be dominated by Tig for a big chunk of their match.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Fraser: Ostapenko’s dominant march on grass continues after she blasted her way into the second round here at Wimbledon. Last week she lifted a title on the surface which doesn’t usually bode well for players hoping to perform at slams. However, Ostapenko is streaky and it looks like she has carried her form into this tournament. If that’s true then there really is no telling how far she could go. Kasatkina is a tough opponent, but I can’t pick against the red-hot Latvian in this one.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
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Marta Kostyuk vs Anastasija Sevastova
Jim: This is a tough match to call, with both Marta Kostyuk and Anastasija Sevastova having impressed in their first-round wins. They met barely a week ago in Eastbourne and the match was close enough to suggest that there won’t be much in it this time around either. But Sevastova’s court-craft and experience saw her through that match and should be enough for her to advance once again.
Prediction: Sevastova in 3
Damian: Sevastova took this one in Eastbourne, but it was close enough that it only gives her a slight psychological advantage here. She definitely has the edge in variety, but if Kostyuk redlines her game, there won’t be much that the Latvian can do. A very tight call, but Sevastova might just take it again.
Prediction: Sevastova in 3
Fraser: Kostyuk is a rapidly rising star in the women’s game. However, she doesn’t have the experience on grass needed to truly excel on the surface just yet. Sevastova on the other hand has and incredible slice, is great at the net and is a decent server on her day. She has struggled in recent months, but the Latvian has the game to progress here and I expect she will do just that.
Prediction: Sevastova in 3
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Coco Vandeweghe vs Katerina Siniakova
Jim: It has been good to see Coco Vandeweghe’s recent resurgence. The American’s talent has never been in question, but she has had a run of bad luck with injury. Seemingly fit and firing again, she has been playing some fine grass-court tennis in recent weeks, most notably reaching the semifinals in Birmingham. But Katerina Siniakova too has been in excellent form and her powerful groundstrokes should give her the ammunition to down Vandeweghe.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
Damian: Vandeweghe got both of her WTA titles on grass and she’s been in the quarterfinals here twice. Her big-serving game and volleying skills make her deadly on the lawn, but Siniakova’s run to the final in Bad Homburg was top-notch as well. Vandeweghe has more upside, but far less consistency. A really tough call.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 3
Fraser: This is intriguing. Siniakova has played at a better level more consistently over the last two years than Vandeweghe has. However, there is little doubt that the American possesses the higher ceiling of the two. If she can find anything near her best, she should be able to come through this one. It will likely go the distance, but Vandeweghe may well be gearing up for a deep run starting with a win here.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 3
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Angelique Kerber vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Jim: Speaking of players back in form, Angelique Kerber has suddenly rediscovered her rhythms, winning the title in Bad Homburg before dismissing Nina Stojanovic in straight sets in the first round. Sara Sorribes Tormo has been playing some good tennis too, but she doesn’t have Kerber’s grass-court pedigree.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Damian: The former champion is in brilliant form after her win in Bad Homburg and with the draw opening up, everything really is on her racket. Sorribes Tormo is not an opponent that will force her to defend with her aggression, so the German should be fine.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Fraser: The battle of the brick walls awaits. Kerber and Sorribes Tormo are two of the best defenders and counterpunchers in women’s tennis. Each is also fiercely competitive and both have been in pretty good form so far this year. However, Kerber is a Grand Slam champion, having won three of the four majors. One of those titles came here at Wimbledon. Her best is simply better than most can bring. She seems close to that level after lifting another title last week. Given that form, I am picking Kerber to win here.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
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