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 Iga Swiatek vs Sara Sorribes Tormo and Victoria Azarenka vs Nadia Podoroska. 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
Katerina Siniakova vs Lesia Tsurenko
Jordan:
Siniaková is loving the grass right now. After winning the BAD Homburg Open a few days ago, she knocked out 24th seed Qinwen Zheng on the first day at SW19. Tsurenko always shows grit and determination, shown in her tight three set win over Claire Liu. She will make it hard for Siniaková, but I’m backing the Czech player to continue her grass court form.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
Damian:
Siniakova is coming off a title in Bad Homburg and has a fantastic grass pedigree. She was struggling physically against Zheng in the opening round though, so we’ll see how she recovers. If she can be back to 100%, her upside on this surface is much higher than Tsurenko’s.
Prediction: Siniakova in 3
Jim:
Katerina Siniakova is usually force to be reckoned with on the grass thanks to her powerful groundstrokes and excellent hands at the net. She came into Wimbledon fresh from winning the title in Bad Homburg and a run to the second week (or even further) looks achievable for the Czech.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
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Diane Parry vs Petra Martic
Jordan:
Frenchwoman Parry won an entertaining and at times tense three setter against Brit Harriet Dart. Martic wasn’t at her absolute best in the first round, winning when her opponent retired in the third set with Martic leading 4-1. Parry showed vulnerabilities that Dart did not properly exploit in the first round. I do not think Martic will let her off the hook.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Damian:
With the variety and ability to introduce all-court tactics, Martic has an excellent skillset for grass. Her tennis IQ is very high too, which should help her out against Parry. The chance to have another crack at Swiatek (this time in more favorable conditions) is there and she will not want to waste it.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Jim:
Diane Parry impressed in her first-round win over home home Harriet Dart, but the experienced Petra Martic represents a marked step up in the quality of opposition. The Croatian should have the edge here.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Daria Kasatkina vs Jodie Burrage
Jordan:
11th seed Kasatkina built on the momentum from her appearance in the final of Eastbourne a few days ago to comfortably win her first round. Wild card Burrage was a surprisingly easy winner against Caty McNally, prevailing 6-1 6-3. The confidence from that could make her dangerous. But Kasatkina is a major step up in class, and I do not forsee the Brit being able to raise her level far enough.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Damian:
Burrage is capable of a few stunning upsets at home (like in Round 1), but quality-wise this isn’t really that close. Kasatkina’s surprisingly good on grass and she’s coming off a runner-up finish in Eastbourne, where her craftiness was on full display.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Jim:
odie Burrage managed to win her first match at Wimbledon, continuing her good grass-court form, but this looks like a big ask for the Briton. She will have the crowd right behind her, but Daria Kasatkina’s game is well-suited to the grass and the Russian should have the tools to get past Burrage.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Jessica Pegula vs Cristina Bucsa
Jordan:
Pegula was made to sweat by countrywoman Lauren Davis, eventually winning 6-3 in the third. It showed again that grass is the surface she is least comfortable on. Bucsa won an epic against Kamilla Rakhimova in her first round, prevailing 11-9 in a final set tiebreak. Pegula should have just enough again to reach another round.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Damian:
Bucsa survived four consecutive match points against Rakhimova and might play as if she had nothing to lose now. Pegula is just her usual very consistent self on the grass courts though and it will be a tough ask for the Spaniard to execute her game well enough for at least two sets.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Jim:
Jessica Pegula, after breaking through with some surprise quarterfinal runs at the Majors, has failed to kick on when it matters most and is still yet to make her first Grand Slam semifinal. As consistent as she is, that may never change for the world #3. But she should get at least one step closer to reaching the last four for the first time here.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Main Photo Credit: Peter Van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
