It should be an entertaining start to the second week at Wimbledon with four intriguing matches on the schedule in the women’s singles. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on day seven, including in the men’ singles, but who will book their spot in the quarterfinals?
Wimbledon Day 7 Predictions
Victoria Azarenka vs Elina Svitolina
Jim: Victoria Azarenka made a slow start at Wimbledon, dropping a set in her opener, but she has been superb since, dismissing Nadia Podoroska and Daria Kasatkina. She may need to maintain that level against the resurgent Elina Svitolina. But she has dominated this rivalry, winning all five of their previous matches. Expect her to have the edge once again.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Jordan: This is one of the best matchups on the men or women’s side. Svitolina is having an inspired run as a wildcard, while Azarenka knocked out 11th seed Daria Kasatkina in the last round. Can Svitolina keep what is becoming a dream run going? My instinct is yes
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Jack: A battle of the vets. If you’re underrating either player at this tournament, you haven’t been watching hard enough. Azarenka loves a fast court—it’s frankly astounding she hasn’t gone further than the quarters here in over ten years. Svitolina is playing fantastically but her game won’t match up well enough against Azarenka’s early strikes.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Belinda Bencic
Jim: This promises to be an another entertaining match and probably represents the first real test of Iga Swiatek’s credentials at Wimbledon this year. But though Belinda Bencic has played some very fine tennis so far in SW19, Swiatek is the world’s best for a reason. She should have just about too much for the Swiss, but don’t be surprised if this one goes the distance.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Jordan: Bencic swept aside Magda Linette in a manner that showed growing confidence. I don’t think a huge upset here is impossible, but think Swiatek’s improving grass court skills will just be enough for her. But it could be tough.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Jack: Bencic at her best could be an absolute nightmare for Swiatek on grass. She has the return game to take advantage of Swiatek’s second-serves and she’ll be able to absorb most of the world #1’s heaviest strikes from the back of the court. Is she capable of playing to the same level she was at the start of the year though? I think she’ll be missing her best in the pressure moments.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
[cta id=4013 type=cta]
Jessica Pegula vs Lesia Tsurenko
Jim: Lesia Tsurenko won a thriller against Ana Bogdan in the third round, but how much does she have left in the tank? She looked utterly spent by the end of that match and it would not be a major surprise if she did not make it onto court for this one. Even if she does, it it hard to see her getting past Jessica Pegula now.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Jordan: Tsurenko won the longest tiebreak in grand slam history to get to this point. An impressive achievement, but she will surely be too mentally and physically fatigued to challenge Pegula. The American has improved on grass as well, and i think she will grow her confidence more here.
Predicton: Pegula in 2
Jack: There’s a lot to commend in the consistency of Pegula. She’ll make the latter stages of any tournament in her sleep with her extremely high base-level. This situation at Wimbledon is no different. Her immaculate returning will likely be too much for Tsurenko’s relatively underpowered serve.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Marketa Vondrousova vs Marie Bouzkova
Jim: In a not entirely surprising turn of events, Donna Vekic did not find her best tennis when it mattered most as Marketa Vondrousova got the better of the Croatian to set up this all-Czech battle. But the grass probably suits Marie Bouzkova’s game better than Vondrousova’s.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Jordan: This is a difficult one to call. Vondrousova has reached this point somewhat unexpectedly. But Bouzkova won an extraordinary battle against fifth seed Caroline Garcia in the last round. She may be somewhat fatigued, but I think she will be able to overcome it enough to win.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 2
Jack: I really like Bouzkova’s game for grass. Pace doesn’t trouble her and a little more zip from the court will make it a easier for her to counterpunch. Vondrousova always brings an extremely high level to every match she plays but Bouzkova isn’t the kind of player to give anything up from the baseline. She should have the game to pull off the upset over her compatriot.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
