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, Iga Swiatek vs Jana Fett, Garbine Muguruza vs Greet Minnen, Jessica Pegula vs Donna Vekic, Paula Badoa vs Louisa Chirico, Petra Kvitova vs Jasmine Paolini, and Simona Halep vs Karolina Muchova. Predicting today’s articles are Fraser Learmonth, Jakub Bobro, and Jim Smith.
Wimbledon Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Kirsten Flipkens vs Jaimee Fourlis
Fraser:
This is Flipkens last hurrah on the singles circuit. As such, expect the Belgian to be fired up and ready to put on a show. She is better on grass than Forli and the added motivation of playing in her last singles Grand Slam should see her over the line here.
Predictions: Flipkens in 2
Jakub:
Flipkens has decided to make Wimbledon her final singles tournament, the site of her sensational semifinal run in 2013, when she defeated Petra Kvitova in the quarterfinals. The 36-year-old will become a doubles specialist after this event but is coming into Wimbledon in her best form in three years. Flipkens went 6-2 on grass, including wins over Anne Li and Elise Mertens. Fourlis will not be an easy opponent, already winning three ITFs this year and looking good in qualifying. It should be an interesting match but I expect Flipkens and set up a great farewell match on a big court against Simona Halep or Karolina Muchova.
Prediction: Flipkens in 3
Jim:
Flipkens’ run to the semifinals at Wimbledon nine years ago was a joy to watch, but it is difficult to imagine the Belgian returning to the final four. But she remains a skilled operator, particularly on the grass and, as well as Fourlis has been playing of late, don’t be surprised to see her outfoxed by Flipkens.
Prediction: Flipkens in 3
Harriet Dart vs Rebeka Masarova
Fraser:
Dart is a very good player who hasn’t quite found the run of results needed to establish herself on the WTA tour. As a Brit, she’d love for that run to come at Wimbledon. She should at least make the second round as she is the better player here and more comfortable on grass than Masarova.
Prediction: Dart in 2
Jakub:
Dart is coming in with good form, making the quarterfinals at Eastbourne and Nottingham, earning wins over Camila Giorgi and Jil Teichmann. Masarova played her first pro grass match two weeks ago, losing to Claire Liu in three sets at WTA Gaiba. Dart is yet another Brit with a strong likelihood of advancing.
Prediction: Dart in 2
Jim:
It has been a largely encouraging grass-court swing for Dart with the Briton making quarterfinals in Nottingham and Eastbourne, as well as the second round in Birmingham. With Masarova rather less comfortable on the grass, this looks like a very winnable match for Dart.
Prediction: Dart in 2
Rebecca Peterson vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova
Fraser:
Great match between two quality players lacking a little bit of form and confidence. Peterson is a superb ball striker when on song and that should see her through in this match. However, this one really could go either way and will be a great watch.
Prediction: Peterson in 3
Jakub:
Peterson has been a solid Top 60 player for the past five years but the Swede has not played since Rabat in May and her ranking is beginning to slip. Peterson is a middling grass player with a 9-9 record and just one main draw win at Wimbledon. Schmiedlova has not had a great season but had her best result of the year in her last tournament, reaching the semifinals in Makarska. The Slovak did not play any grass lead-ups but her 6-15 record on the surface speaks for itself. Schmiedlova does lead their head-to-head though, winning their first two meetings (including a 2015 Fed Cup rubber I was a ballboy for). It’s a tough one to call but I will lean towards Schmiedlova earning her first Wimbledon win due to the Swede’s likely rust. The Slovak may not have many weapons but she will make you rally.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 3
Jim:
After a dreadful 2020, it is good to see Peterson winning matches again. But don’t expect to see her winning this particular match. The Swede has been out of action since May 15th and that turns what might otherwise have been a close match on paper into one where Schmiedlova in the heavy favorite.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 2
Serena Williams vs Harmony Tan
Fraser:
Williams hasn’t played a competitive singles match since Wimbledon last year. I don’t think she is playing for the joy of the game anymore and if she wanted to break the Grand Slam record she needed to come back in better shape and more willing to move about and grind out points. She hasn’t, and I think she’ll be found out early in Wimbledon. She should have enough to get past Tan though, so back the American here.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Jakub:
Serena is back! The seven-time Wimbledon champion is making her singles comeback here, 12 months after she went down with a knee injury in the seventh game of her opening-round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Many questioned if we would ever see her back so it is great to see Serena competing again, whether we will see a full comeback or just a farewell. Williams looked very good in doubles last week alongside Ons Jabeur, winning two matches before the pair chose to withdraw. Tan has been struggling this season but actually looked good on grass, reaching the semifinals of WTA Gaiba. The Frenchwoman could be a challenge to a rusty Serena but I see the 40-year-old making a winning comeback.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Jim:
It’s hard to know what to expect from Williams, with her only matches in the last 12 months two doubles appearances alongside Ons Jabeur. She did win both of those matches though and if her movement was lacking, her power off the ground was not. Tan will make her work for this, but Williams should have enough power to hit through the Frenchwoman.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
