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 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
Elina Svitolina vs Elise Mertens
Jordan:
Svitolina handled the occasion admirably on Centre Court on Monday, albeit against a 43-year-old Venus Williams. The 28th seed Mertens was also a straight sets winner in her opening round. She is the favorite against an opponent who received a wild card into the main draw. But my instinct is telling me the Ukrainian will produce some magic.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Damian:
Nice veteran matchup with both players struggling in their only grass match prior to Wimbledon, but looking solid in the opening round at SW19. It’s not an easy call, although it seems to me that Mertens has more fire in her game when she’s willing to step out of her comfort zone.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Jim:
Elina Svitolina soared back to her best at the French Open after returning from maternity leave, and would surely have been hoping to continue that run of form at Wimbledon. Elise Mertens also found a measure of form in Paris after a disappointing season, dismissing Jessica Pegula in the third round only to lose to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the fourth. But after Svitolina came through the emotional challenge of beating Venus Williams in what was probably the American’s last match at Wimbledon, it would be a surprise if she faltered here.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
[cta id=445 type=cta]
Alycia Parks vs Ana Bogdan
Jordan:
Bogdan produced one of the upsets of the first round, holding her nerve superbly to defeat 15th seed Liudmila Samsonova. Parks won her first Grand Slam match by defeating German Anna Friedsam in straight sets. Both players will feel confident. Bogdan’s greater experience to see her through.
Prediction: Bogdan in 3
Damian:
Bogdan frustrated Samsonova by making a ton of balls and she’ll have the chance to do the same here. Parks has been so erratic and losing virtually everything since her indoors title at Lyon. But if she is to score some great roof-less victories, wouldn’t Wimbledon be a good opportunity?
Prediction: Parks in 3
Jim:
Ana Bogdan was exceptional in her first-round win over the hard-hitting Liudmila Samsonova and will have to work hard to beat another powerful opponent in Alycia Parks. The American clearly has a very bright future and the talent to win this match, but right now, Bogdan’s court craft and experience might just give the Romanian the edge.
Prediction: Bogdan in 3
Magda Linette vs Barbora Strycova
Jordan:
Strycova won her first singles match at a Grand Slam in over three years in the first round at the age of 37 with a straight sets victory. A truly heartwarming story. Linette looked very comfortable on grass in her own straight sets win in round one. I’m going with my head over my heart and backing Linette.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Damian:
No doubt Strycova is a fantastic grass-courter, but it’s still very much unknown what she can bring at this stage of her career. I’ll pick the Pole with Linette having a solid showing in Round 1, even with the 2019 semifinalist and 2014 quarterfinalist probably still capable of a peaking performance every once in a while.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Jim:
Barbora Styrcova might be on what is effectively a farewell tour, but she showed that she’s not ready for the curtain to come down just yet after beating Maryna Zanevska handily in the first round. Magda Linette should provide sterner opposition, but the Pole’s record on the grass is solid but not spectacular and the Majors do occasionally throw up dream runs to the latter rounds.
Prediction: Strycova in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Jordan:
Sorribes Tormo won comfortably in her first round, and I expect her to give Swiatek a reasonable test. But the World #1 one looked very sharp in her first round match, enough to indicate she is now more comfortable on grass. Another win coming for the Pole.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Damian:
Sorribes Tormo’s so crafty and will force Swiatek to play a ton of balls, but it just doesn’t feel like you can really beat the Pole like that anymore. You’re probably toast if you’re not putting enough pressure on her and she has been looking strong during this grass swing.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Jim:
Iga Swiatek looked very sharp in the first round against Zhu Lin. Grass may not be her favorite surface, but she is very hard to stop when she is on song, and perhaps more to the point, grass is hardly Sorribes Tormo’s favorite surface either.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
