On Tuesday, Day 2 of the Wimbledon Championships, we will complete both the men’s and women’s first rounds. That means there are 32 women’s singles matches, and–as always–we here at LWOT will share our thoughts on every single one of them with you. We split the day’s 32 matches into eight articles. Our other seven articles feature Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Yulia Putintseva, Petra Kvitova vs Jasmine Paolini, Aryna Sabalenka vs Panna Udvardy, Karolina Muchova vs Jule Niemeier, Ons Jabeur vs Magdalena Frech, Bianca Andreescu vs Anna Bondar, and Maria Sakkari vs Marta Kostyuk. Predicting this set of matches are Jack Edward, Jakub Bobro, and Jordan Reynolds. Who do you think will advance?
Wimbledon Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Paula Badosa vs Alison Riske-Amritraj
Jack:
Though Paula Badosa hasn’t had much of a warm up coming into Wimbledon, she also hadn’t in her previous couple of runs to the round of 16. Her game will be heavy and steady enough to knock Alison Riske-Amritraj, a player on a nine-match losing streak, off of her stride.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Jakub:
Riske has been a strong grass courter in previous years but with barely any wins on the season, it is tough to see her taking out Badosa here. The Spaniard could prove to be a dangerous floater in the draw.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Jordan:
Badosa has been making more headlines for her off-court relationship with Stefanos Tsitsipas than for on-court results. Wimbledon is her first tournament in over a month after missing the French Open with injury. Riske is a former quarterfinalist, but doesn’t enter The Championships with much form on grass. But I still think she will come through.
Prediction: Riske-Armitraj in 3
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Kaja Juvan vs Margarita Betova
Jack:
Even at Margarita Betova’s best, the former world #40 was never that comfortable on grass. Kaja Juvan is a big enough hitter to take Betova even further out of her comfort zone.
Prediction: Juvan in 2
Jakub:
Betova, formerly Gasparyan, has not had too much success this season. Juvan came through qualifying and gets a nice draw to start here.
Prediction: Juvan in 2
Jordan:
Juvan has twice reached the third round of Wimbledon. That is her best grand slam result despite naturally having a preference for clay. Gasparyan is making her first Grand Slam appearance in over two years after injuries and other issues. Reaching her best level will be tough, giving Juvan the edge.
Prediction: Juvan in 2
Sorana Cirstea vs Tatjana Maria
Jack:
Sorana Cirstea’s serve has always been her weakness and, on grass, this tends to leave her vulnerable to some of the bigger returns on tour. Tatjana Maria isn’t one of those players so Cirstea won’t constantly be on the back-foot. I’m still backing last year’s semifinalist for a gritty win, however, given her slices will be lethal on the fresh courts of Wimbledon.
Prediction: Maria in 3
Jakub:
Two veterans who could pull off upsets here, with Maria coming off of a semifinal run at Wimbledon last year. The German is unlikely to replicate the run of course but she will be a tough out with her slices and net play.
Prediction: Maria in 3
Jordan:
This is a clash of opposites. Cirstea has reached the third round of a grand slam 17 times in her consistent career, but never been to a semifinal. Maria had only reached the third round of a Slam once before last year’s Wimbledon, when she then reached the semifinal. Maria has shown form by reaching a grass court final at a challenger event in Italy. But I am backing Cirstea to be too steady.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Elena Rybakina vs Shelby Rogers
Jack:
There are question marks over the defending champ’s health but Elena Rybakina’s time spent off the court will hopefully have given her the opportunity to recover. She should be ready to overpower Shelby Rogers, a player who likes to dictate points herself.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Jakub:
Rybakina is apparently still dealing with illness but the defending champion should have enough to get past Shelby Rogers in the opener, though she will face a lot of challenges in her quarter.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Jordan:
The defending champion will be looking to handle the expectations after her shock run to the title last year. She has pushed on well since then, reaching the Australian Open final and winning two 1000 events. Rogers is a capable opponent when she is at her best. But Rybakina will have too much.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Main Photo Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
