Day 2 at Wimbledon will see 32 women’s matches. We’ll wrap up the first round (weather-permitting) and find out who’s moving on to Round 2. As always, we at LWOT will share our thoughts on all of the matches for you. We split up the 32 matches between eight articles. The other articles feature Coco Gauff vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse, Serena Williams vs Harmony Tan, Garbine Muguruza vs Greet Minnen, Jessica Pegula vs Donna Vekic, Paula Badoa vs Louisa Chirico, Iga Swiatek vs Jana Fett, and Simona Halep vs Karolina Muchova. Predicting today’s articles are Fraser Learmonth, Jakub Bobro, and Jim Smith.
Wimbledon Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Karolina Pliskova vs Tereza Martincova
Fraser:
Pliskova should win this encounter. Martincova is a very good player having a very good year but she will find it hard to make headway on the Pliskova serve. Martincova also doesn’t have the variety to make life uncomfortable for Pliskova. If this turns into a hitting contest–and I suspect it will–then Pliskova holds the edge and will win it.
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
Jakub:
An all-Czech derby and a rematch of their third round here last year. Both are struggling a bit this season, Pliskova having a tough time to recapture he form from before her wrist injury while Martincova is not getting wins regularly on the main tour. The former No. 1 made the final here last year and though she will likely not go that far, Pliskova should be winning here.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Jim:
Pliskova has the power to succeed on the grass, she demonstrated as much by reaching the final last season, but her movement has been exposed on this surface in the past. But a repeat of that looks unlikely indeed, with this season having been a frustrating one for the Czech. But it would still be a surprise if she did not get past her compatriot here.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Alize Cornet vs Yulia Putintseva
Fraser:
Cornet has looked good in Grand Slams so far this year. However, she will do well to continue that run of form here. Putintseva is a dogged competitor and often wills herself to wins she doesn’t necessarily deserve. If Cornet is not mentally strong here the Kazakh will get to her and it’s a long way back once that happens.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Jakub:
Two experienced players who do not love grass but are likely to serve up some drama in this match. Cornet has recovered well from her Roland Garros injury, beating Angelique Kerber to reach the semifinals at Bad Homburg. Putintseva has never been past the second round at Wimbledon in seven appearances and Cornet double-bageled her in their last meeting.
Prediction: Cornet in 2
Jim:
Despite a first-round defeat in Berlin, Cornet comes into this match in good form. She reached the final in the doubles in the German capital alongside Jil Teichmann, and backed that up with a run to the semifinals in Eastbourne. If she can maintain the form she showed at Devonshire Park, expect her to have the beating of Putintseva.
Prediction: Cornet in 3
Arantxa Rus vs Catherine Harrison
Fraser:
Rus is the better player of these two and the deserved favourite coming in to this match. She has more experience both on the WTA tour and I’m Grand Slams. There should really only be one winner here and that is the Dutch player.
Prediction: Rus in 2
Jakub:
Harrison is making her first Slam main draw appearance at the age of 28 after qualifying in straight sets. Rus is a veteran who is not the most skilled on grass, looking to make the second round here for the first time since 2012. It will be interesting to see how Harrison does here but Rus’ regular level should be high enough to dismiss the American.
Prediction: Rus in 2
Jim:
Rus is not exactly known for her grass-court prowess, but the Dutchwoman is an excellent competitor and will give nothing away here. But she comes up against a player in the form of her life in Harrison. Few could have expected her to come through the qualifying, but if she can handle the occasion on her Grand Slam debut, do expect her to get past Rus here.
Prediction: Harrison in 3
Petra Kvitova vs Jasmine Paolini
Fraser:
Not going to waste too much time here. Kvitova wins this easily. If you need a reason why then just watch highlights of her title run last week and you’ll be on the same page as me. Paolini is good, but this is not her year to make strides in Wimbledon.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Jakub:
Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova is coming off of the Eastbourne title last week, beating Jelena Ostapenko in the final. Paolini has not won a match on grass since 2017 and once again chose not to play any lead-up events for the third grass season running. Considering that and Kvitova beating the Italian without any issues in their two previous meetings, the Czech veteran should advance easily.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Jim:
Could Kvitova win another Wimbledon title? It is still a long way off for the Czech, but she has been playing some encouraging tennis lately, not least winning the title in Eastbourne. But whether she goes on to win another title in SW19 or not, she should certainly have enough for Paolini.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
