Day 5 of Wimbledon usually means all our women’s matches would be third round matches, but because of the rain this week we still have Round 2 matches as well. In fact, there are 18 women’s matches on Friday’s schedule. We’ve already predicted some of them, as we expected to see them on Day 4 (including Wimbledon Day 4 Women’s Predictions Including Aryna Sabalenka vs Varvara Gracheva and Ons Jabeur vs Zhuoxuan Bai). We have predictions for 13 more matches now, though, split between four articles. In addition to this article, our other articles feature Petra Kvitova vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich, Elina Svitolina vs Sofia Kenin, and Iga Swiatek vs Petra Martic. Predicting these matches are Jim Smith, Andreas Pelekis, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will advance?
Wimbledon Day 5 Women’s Predictions
Madison Keys vs Viktorija Golubic
Jim:
If Madison Keys can tame her power, this should be a fairly comfortable day at the office. Golubic has power of her own and is a very clean ball striker, but she needs time and Keys can take that away from her.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Andreas:
Still a second-round match, Keys will definitely feel more confident given her ability to offensively break down opponents. Yet, Golubic leads this head-to-head 3-1; Keys was nowhere near her best in two of the losses, and the third loss came by withdrawal. Golubic looked solid in her opening round match, yet the American’s flat forehand may repeatedly break down the Swiss’ one-handed backhand. Given Keys is in great form after her Eastbourne title victory, she should flip the script in this match.
Yesh:
Madison Keys has a brutally effective game when she’s on. It’s like the perfect mix of raw power and counterpunching defense. She hasn’t really put it all together consistently in a few years, but she’s not far off right now.
Prediction: Keys in 2
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Donna Vekic vs Marketa Vondrousova
Jim:
This feel like exactly the sort of match that Donna Vekic should win. Oddly, that makes it seem more likely that she’ll lose. But if the Croatian can maintain the level she has displayed lately on the grass, she should have enough to beat Marketa Vondrousova. But should is doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Andreas:
Vondrousova upset 12th seed Kudermetova in Round 2, and Vekic will deploy a somewhat similar style of play. Both Kudermetova and Vekic hit flat groundstrokes with high speeds, yet Kudermetova is more vulnerable to unforced errors. The Russian has also dealt with an injury as of late, hampering her ability to defeat Vondrousova. Ultimately, Vekic should be full of confidence after her stunning comeback over Sloane Stephens, and she should come in as the favorite.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Yesh:
Vekic was the beneficiary of what can only be described as a choke by Sloane Stephens in her last match, but she didn’t play poorly. Vekic looks very strong right now–Stephens just looked stronger, until she didn’t. Either way, both are better than Vondrousova right now, so I expect Vekic to advance.
Prediction: Vekic in 2
Victoria Azarenka vs Daria Kasatkina
Jim:
This has the makings of an entertaining battle. Both have played some good tennis on the grass previously and were excellent in the second round, but neither has been a model of consistency so far this year. Kasatkina is probably better equipped for these conditions at this point however.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 3
Andreas:
Definitely a toss-up match, with both players in fine form. Azarenka looked a bit shaky in her opening round match, but redeemed her form after dismantling Nadia Podoroska in two sets. Kasatkina also cruised in her first two matches, but Azarenka is a major step up that should prove to be a far greater challenge. Their previous meetings demonstrated a consistent struggle in holding serve, with Kasatkina the slightly stronger returner albeit her weak first serve. Azarenka may be hindered by Kasatkina’s variety, something that could neutralize the Belarusian’s flat groundstrokes. Look for Kasatkina to just barely win this.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 3
Yesh:
Kasatkina is playing so well right now, but you always feel like her top level is always just a hair away for Azarenka. And when Azarenka finds her top form, the whole world is in trouble.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
