With star names, including the world #1 and a former champion, set to take to the court on day one at Wimbledon, there should be plenty for the fans to enjoy. 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, Jessica Pegula vs Lauren Davis, Coco Gauff vs Sofia Kenin, Iga Swiatek vs Zhu Lin and Caroline Garcia vs Katie Volynets. But who will reach the second round?
Wimbledon Day 1 Predictions
Venus Williams vs Elina Svitolina
Jack: There was potential with the wildcard but Venus Williams’ has been given a grim draw. She would have stood a decent chance against a powerful player that she could match blow for blow but Elina Svitolina will make the five-time champ run for her life. Perhaps there will be some moments of magic but Svitolina should be too steady.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Jakub: The first women’s match on Centre Court at these Championships is a showdown between two wildcards. Williams returned after five months out at Hertogenbosch with a loss but looked great at Birmingham, beating Camila Giorgi and taking a set off eventual champion Jelena Ostapenko. Svitolina, a semifinalist here in 2019, finished strong on clay with a title in Strasbourg and quarterfinals at Roland Garros, but won just two games against Linda Fruhvirtova at Birmingham. Svitolina will extend rallies here but I see Venus coming through this gruelling battle.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Jordan: This is certainly one of the standout matches in the men or women’s draw. The five time champion versus the 2019 semifinalist. Venus has shown some positive signs in the tournaments she’s played before Wimbledon. It is incredible she is still competing at 43, but I believe Svitolina’s gritty determination and superior speed around the court will be enough for her to win.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
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Barbora Strycova vs Maryna Zanevska
Jack: Did you forget Barbora Strycova made it to the semifinals of Wimbledon four years ago? The 37-year-old has already beaten Maryna Zanevska on her lesser-preferred surface this year—there’s absolutely no reason she can’t pull off another win against a player that’s struggling for form.
Prediction: Strycova in 3
Jakub: Barbora Strycova has come back for a farewell tour as a mother after more than two years out with Wimbledon being the main goal. The Czech’s warm-up events did not go to plan with a 1-3 record. The 2019 semifinalist beat Maryna Zanevska in Rome earlier this year though and with the Belgian generally struggling, I could see Strycova come out with a win here.
Prediction: Strycova in 2
Jordan: It is great to see former semifinalist Strycova returning from maternity to leave to play. On paper she has a good return match at SW19 against a player who has never been past the first round. She may not be in her absolute prime anymore, but I would back Strycova to win.
Prediction: Strycova in 2
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Nadia Podoroska vs Tereza Martincova
Jack: Tereza Martincova hasn’t had the most electric of seasons but she has the power to win this one. Nadia Podoroska is a wily opponent but is definitely more of a clay-courter. They played a couple of years ago at Wimbledon and it ended in straight sets.
Prediction: Martincova in 2
Jakub: One of the less exciting match-ups in this draw, though both players managed to grab more wins than one might think in the lead-ups. Tereza Martincova beat Nadia Podoroska here two years ago and with her game more suited to the surface, I believe she will win again.
Prediction: Martincova in 2
Jordan: Podoroska is a clay-court specialist, having reached the semifinal at Roland Garros in 2020, but never getting past the second round of the other three slams. Martincova’s overall achievements in the game are not more notable than Podoroska’s, but she is more of an all court player than her Argentinian opponent. I believe she will win.
Prediction: Martincova in 2
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Liudmila Samsonova vs Ana Bogdan
Jack: Ana Bogdan had some good wins on grass in Eastbourne (Martic, Cirstea) but let’s not underrate Liudmila Samsonova on this surface. The Russian should be a touch steadier on this surface and has shown she can put it all together in the past—one look at the names she beat enroute to her title in Berlin in 2021 fills me with confidence.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
Jakub: After a brilliant 10-1 grass season in 2021, Liudmila Samsonova has been looking to recapture that magic on the surface. Ana Bogdan got a couple of decent wins over Sorana Cirstea and Petra Martic in the warm-ups but Samsonova should be a step above.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Jordan: 15th seed Samsonova has shown she is comfortable on the grass. She’s reached the fourth round of Wimbledon and won a grass court title at the German Open in 2021. Bogdan is talented and is capable of being dangerous on grass, but Samsonova will be too good.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Main photo credit: Peter Van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
