The Wimbledon schedule has been hurt by consistent rain at the All-England Club, but we do have 12 women’s matches set for Day 3 already. As always, we here at LWOT will share our thoughts on the matches with you. We split the 12 matches between three articles, and hope to have the rest of the matches on Wednesday after they’re set. The other two articles feature Jessica Pegula vs Cristina Bucsa and Iga Swiatek vs Sara Sorribes Tormo. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Damian Kust, and Jim Smith. Who do you think will advance to the third round?
Wimbledon Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Sofia Kenin vs Xiyu Wang
Jordan:
Kenin created the most headlines on the first day with her victory over Coco Gauff. The manner of the victory was incredible, with Kenin producing some of the explosive baseline hitting that saw her win the Australian Open. Wang won her first ever match at Wimbledon with an impressive straight set win of her own. She will not be able to cope with Kenin if she plays as she did against Gauff. Can she find that level again immediately? I believe she will find it in enough moments to win again.
Prediction: Kenin in 3
Damian:
Kenin scored a win against Gauff, keeping the ball in her rival’s forehand corner and watching the errors flow. The American tends to go from a stunning performance to a disaster these days, but it feels like the draw gives her a decent opportunity to keep going here.
Prediction: Kenin in 3
Jim:
Sofia Kenin was back to something approaching her best in the first round against Coco Gauff, perhaps fired up by some less than flattering words from her compatriot. She will need to guard against complacency here, particularly as grass has not been a particularly happy hunting ground for her in the past, but if she can maintain the level she displayed against Gauff, she should have the beating of Wang Xinyu.
Prediction: Kenin in 3
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Caroline Garcia vs Leylah Fernandez
Jordan:
In truth Garcia wasn’t at her best despite a straight sets win in the first round. If she goes through the gears she can be a genuine contender at the championships. Fernandez battled her way to the second round in three sets, but still looks far from the player that reached the US Open final. Garcia in straights again.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Damian:
A rematch of two very exciting clashes this year already–at the Australian Open and Indian Wells. Garcia’s not guaranteed to win and isn’t in amazing form right now, but you also feel like Fernandez’s level at the moment just isn’t high enough to make you think she’ll overcome the power disparity.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Jim:
This the makings of an entertaining match. But Leylah Fernandez still looks slightly unsure of herself, having lost the clear-headed approach and determined execution that made her so effective in the summer of 2021. Caroline Garcia has plenty of personal experience of that struggle, but right now is playing well enough to deserve the tag of favourite here.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Veronika Kudermetova vs Marketa Vondrousova
Jordan:
Both players won their opening rounds in straight sets. The 12th seed Kudermetova showed her grass court skills in her run to the final in Hertogenbosch. But I have a gut feeling the talented Vondroušová will cause problems with her crafty style of play, which may not suit her 12th seeded opponent. Upset predicted.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Damian:
Kudermetova is a contender this Wimbledon and should be progressing here. This has been the best grass season of Vondrousova’s career and that slider serve is working beautifully, but the caliber of weaponry the Russian has on this surface is astonishing.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Jim:
Veronika Kudermetova has the makings of a very good grass-court player, but must learn to trust her game and, in effect, stop getting in her own way so often. Marketa Vondrousova will not make this easy for the Russian, but if Kudermetova can maintain her focus, her flat, penetrating groundstrokes should give her enough to see of the Czech’s challenge.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Victoria Azarenka vs Nadia Podoroska
Jordan:
Two-time Wimbledon semifinalist Azarenka had to fight hard to win 6-4 in the third against a valiant Yue Yuan. Podroska got a very good win 6-4 in the third set as well, coming from a set behind in the process. I have an inkling though that Azarenka will find a better level then in her opening round.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Damian:
Azarenka wasn’t convincing in the opening round, but her draw is really nice. Podoroska’s not really a grass-court player and at this year’s Australian Open, she only got one game off the Belarusian. She should get more here, but she’s unlikely to progress any further in the event.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Jim:
Nadia Podoroska exceeded expectations with her first-round win over the in-form Tereza Martincova, whilst Victoria Azarenka looked off the pace in the first round against Yuan Yue. So who will win this match? Probably still Azarenka.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
