With eight intriguing fourth-round matches on the schedule on day eight at Wimbledon, there looks set to be plenty of entertaining tennis for the fans. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Ash Barty vs Barbora Krejcikova and Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka. But who will book their place in the last eight?
Wimbledon Day 8 Predictions
Karolina Pliskova vs Ludmilla Samsonova
Jim: Almost out of nowhere Karolina Pliskova has found some form. The Czech will need it against Ludmilla Samsonova, who is in the midst of a purple patch herself. She may have arrived at Wimbledon ranked outside the top 100, but the Russian has now won her last ten matches. It’s hard to argue with that sort of momentum.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
Damian: This should be a great, hard-hitting battle. Samsonova is in amazing form right now, but she also checked out mentally for a large bit of the match against Stephens. Her serve is not quite at Pliskova’s level (hardly any serve in the women’s game), giving a rather substantial advantage to the Czech. It should be really close, but I’ll stick with the more experienced player who suddenly found a rich vein of form at the very last moment, here in London.
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
Andy: The Russian seems to be invincible at the moment and as we saw with Barbora Krejcikova at the French Open this kind of momentum can be hard to stop. Pliskova will be pleased to regain some form and make the second week and this should be a winnable match but I just think that the unshakable confidence Samsonova is playing with gives her the edge here.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
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Emma Raducanu vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Jim: What a story Emma Raducanu has been. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about it is that she is not even the youngest player still in the draw. This is a winnable match for the Briton. Ajla Tomljanovic is an experienced campaigner and when the Australian is at her best she is a very fine player. But Raducanu looked sharper in the first week.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Damian: The 18-year-old keeps upsetting the odds and by the time she’s in the fourth round, lots will be expecting her to win this match against Tomljanovic. A dip in level might be incoming, but Raducanu’s victory over Sorana Cirstea was absolutely top-notch, including 30 winners and a really high percentage of points won after the first serve. Keeping it up could get her one round further, especially with the help of the audience, who are already enchanted with her talents.
Raducanu in 3
Andy: She “shouldn’t” have won any of her matches so far according to the oddsmakers but the Brit has been very impressive to this point. Beating Marketa Vondrousova and Cirstea sets her up perfectly for this and there’s no reason that a continuation of that form can’t see her past the naturalised Australian.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
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Iga Swiatek vs Ons Jabeur
Jim: This promises to be an excellent match. Iga Swiatek has made an impressive transition on to the grass, reaching the second round without dropping a set. But one suspects she will have to work harder up against Ons Jabeur. The Tunisian has been in fine form herself and has claimed some big wins already. She might just pick up another here.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Damian: Swiatek wasn’t playing too well on the grass in Eastbourne and it looked like she still needs some getting used to the surface. The Pole has done a great job at cleaning up the lower-ranked opponents but this will be the real test that will show if the situation has changed. I’m going to assume she’s not fully there yet and Jabeur’s variety plus the Tunisian’s level from the last two sets against Muguruza might throw her off her game enough.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Andy: The undoubted match of the round for me. This is a must watch. Swiatek has dispelled fears that this surface wasn’t conducive to her and Jabeur played some “lights out” tennis against Muguruza last time out. Personally I would love Jabeur to continue her run but objectively I make Swiatek the favourite and think that her consistency of excellent shots will allow her to win through.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
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Coco Gauff vs Angelique Kerber
Jim: Coco Gauff played some great tennis over the first week at the Wimbledon Championships, but what was most impressive about the American was how easily she coped with the weight of expectation. This looks like being a tough test for the young gun however. Gauff hasn’t played an opponent of Angelique Kerber’s quality and the German’s experience and court craft should be just about enough to see her into the last eight.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Damian: Kerber played a very poor opening set against Aliaksandra Sasnovich but completely turned the match around after that. Perhaps that was a matter of a tough recovery after her marathon against Sara Sorribes Tormo, in which case a day of rest should help her. The former-champion is on a brilliant streak following the title in Bad Homburg and I think for all the improvements Gauff has made recently, she’s eyeing a (perhaps final) deep run here and can outfox the youngster with all of her experience.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Andy: Kerber has been excellent on return in this grass swing being able to break her opponents almost half of the time. Whilst this figure might be unachievable against a serve as powerful as Gauff’s the German will give herself chances. Also, her big match experience is a nice advantage to have.
Predictions: Kerber in 3
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