Expect plenty of exciting tennis on day one at Wimbledon. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Danielle Collins vs Julie Grabher, Victoria Azarenka vs Yuan Yue, Sloane Stephens vs Rebecca Peterson, Iga Swiatek vs Zhu Lin, Coco Gauff vs Sofia Kenin, Venus Williams vs Elina Svitolina and Caroline Garcia vs Katie Volynets. But who will reach the second round at the All England Club?
Wimbledon Day 1 Predictions
Jessica Pegula vs Lauren Davis
Jakub: Jessica Pegula is still not a strong grass player by any stretch but after failing to qualify in her first three attempts, the American has improved by a round every Wimbledon since making her first main draw appearance here in 2019. Lauren Davis has done pretty well at Wimbledon, making the third round here twice and not losing in her opener since 2018. Pegula should have enough to beat Davis here.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Damian: Pegula is just as consistent as ever right now and you need a really special performance to eliminate her. Davis gave her trouble in the past and has a lot of grass experience, but she probably doesn’t have that sort of redline quality and ability to blow her opponents off the court.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Jordan: The fourth seed Pegula has not been past the third round at Wimbledon. She possesses a game adept for all surfaces, meaning this stat should be temporary. Her countrywoman Davis is a player with talent. But Pegula will be too good.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Daria Kasatkina vs Caroline Dolehide
Jakub: After losing her Berlin opener to Elina Avanesyan, Daria Kasatkina bounced back incredibly in Eastbourne, making the final with wins over Karolina Pliskova and Camila Giorgi. Dolehide is a good opening opponent. Though the American’s game should work on grass, Dolehide has lost her last six matches on the surface.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Damian: Kasatkina lost to Keys in the Eastbourne final on Saturday, but she should have enough left in the tank to go on a run here. She’s surprisingly good on grass and has a way of constructing the points on this surface that makes her really dangerous.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Jordan: Kasatkina enters Wimbledon with momentum after reaching the final at Eastbourne. Her varied style of play is well suited to the grass. It should prove too much for an opponent still learning her trade on grass.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
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Martina Trevisan vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Jakub: Martina Trevisan, dropping out of the Top 60 after the French Open, will be looking for her second-ever grass win at Wimbledon. Sara Sorribes Tormo is a similar profile of player but has managed to find a lot more success on the surface with a 21-17 record. The Spaniard beat Trevisan in Bad Homburg two years ago and I expect her to win again.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Damian: The grinding of Sorribes Tormo transcends surfaces and the Spaniard has played some amazing matches even on the grass. Unlike Trevisan, she didn’t play a warm-up event, but that probably doesn’t matter here.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Jordan: Trevisan is a true clay-court specialist. She has reached the semifinals of the French Open and 17 of her 18 ITF finals have been on clay, but she has not been past the first round of Wimbledon. Sorribes Tomo is a little better adjusted to the grass and will win.
Prediction: Sorribes Tomo in 2
Storm Hunter vs Wang Qiang
Jakub: Doubles #6 Storm Hunter qualified with a couple of good wins over Avanesyan and Nao Hibino for her first Wimbledon main draw appearance. Wang Qiang has beaten Hunter in both of their previous meetings though and has a good chance of succeeding again.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Damian: Wang has two wins over Hunter, one of them at the Australian Open this year. Does grass change our perception of this matchup? Perhaps. Along with the recent retirement of the Chinese and the experience gap on the surface, Hunter is actually the slight favorite for me.
Prediction: Hunter in 3
Jordan: Hunter came through qualifying and is making her first appearance at Wimbledon. World #73 Wang is appearing at Wimbledon for a second time. It could be a close match. The higher ranked Wang to edge it.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Main photo credit: Peter Van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
