The fourth round concludes (weather permitting) on Day 8 of this year’s Wimbledon Championships. Eight women will compete for four quarterfinal spots as we head into the later rounds in London. We see a mix of favorites, surprises, and future stars on Monday’s schedule. As always, we here at LWOT will share our thoughts on the matches for you. Predicting this matches are Shane Black, Damian Kust, and Jordan Reynolds. Who do you think will advance?
Wimbledon Day 8 Women’s Predictions
Elena Rybakina vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Shane:
Defending champion Elena Rybakina has served her way back into the second week at Wimbledon. Beatriz Haddad Maia has two wins over Rybakina this year, but neither came on the grass. Rybakina’s serve and first-ball combination will be too much for the Brazilian to deal with.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Damian:
They’ve already played twice this year with Haddad Maia coming out on top on both occasions (once via retirement). Grass definitely shakes things up in this matchup though and it’s hard not to view the defending champion as the favorite anyway. Particularly if her serve is clicking like it’s been so far this fortnight, Rybakina will be really tough to stop at this Wimbledon.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Jordan:
Roland Garros semifinalist Haddad Maia was not talked about as one of the biggest threats at Wimbledon before the tournament despite her excellent tournament in Paris. But she was very impressive in round three after grinding through her her opening two rounds. Rybakina though put in the best performance of the tournament on the women’s side as she demolished home hope Katie Boulter. Haddad Maia is a relentless competitor, but the defending champion will win.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
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Petra Kvitova vs Ons Jabeur
Shane:
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has held incredible form on the grass this year. No. 6 seed Ons Jabeur can hold her own on this surface and had a very impressive come-from-behind Round 3 victory over Bianca Andreescu. This match will be filled with many high-level baseline exchanges, but I see the Czech holding her nerve when it matters most.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3
Damian:
Kvitova has played some absolutely breathtaking tennis in a few events this year. After Miami, it seemed like maybe we had already seen that one peak tournament that she always seems to have in a season, but she’s also unbeaten on grass so far with just one set dropped in eight matches. Along with a good record against Jabeur and a style that can keep her from introducing her variety, this looks like a good opportunity for Kvitova to keep going.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Jordan:
A blockbuster of a third round. Two women with different but very watchable styles, and both with grass court pedigree. Jabeur survived a scare against Bianca Andreescu but fought through admirably. But I am going with the two-time champion. She has looked impressive in the opening rounds, and her history at Wimbledon is that she often loses in the first week, but if she gets through the opening rounds she is very hard to stop after that. I think that will happen again.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3
Aryna Sabaleneka vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Shane:
Aryna Sabaleneka and Ekaterina Alexandrova square off for the sixth time, but first at Slam-level. Alexandrova holds the 3-2 head-to-head advantage, including a win on the grass last year. Both women bring an incredible amount of power to the court and will have to access some consistency and balance. I give Sabalenka a slight edge due to her elite serving prowess.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Damian:
This one feels huge. Alexandrova leads the head-to-head 3-2, including a grass final in Hertogenbosch last year. The Russian finally overcame the demons of her past and made the fourth round at a Slam for the very first time. At her best, she might be just as much of a threat as Sabalenka on this surface and is currently 10-1 this year. The second seed should be in trouble here, let’s see if she finds a way out.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Jordan:
The second seed Sabalenka looked much better than previous rounds in the third round as she defeated Anna Blinkova in straight sets. But this will be a stern test for the Australian Open champion. Alexandrova won in Hertogenbosch a few weeks ago, and has backed it up with her run at SW19. Her playing style is ideally suited to the grass, and it’s the surface she’s most likely to cause an upset against Sabalenka. I think Sabalenka will just about avoid an upset in a tight match.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Madison Keys vs Mirra Andreeva
Shane:
What 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva has accomplished this week has been remarkable. She takes on veteran American Madison Keys in a matchup of two undefeated grass-court players this season. Keys has yet to drop a set in London, but her path to the fourth round was much easier than her younger counterpart. Keys will try to overpower Andreeva, but the young Russian will not let that happen. She’s 28-3 this year; why not make it 29-3?
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
Damian:
Andreeva is undoubtedly the real deal and a very complete offering at 16 years of age already. The lack of experience on grass hasn’t been an issue for her since the qualifying. Is she right up there with the best players in the world on this surface? Probably not quite yet and Keys has the overwhelming power to dominate her opposition on a faster court. She’s also on a hot streak right now with eight consecutive wins along with her Eastbourne title.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Jordan:
The fairy tale of 16 year-old Mira Andreeva just rolls on and on. It is not just the results she is getting, but the manner of her performances. Anastasia Potapova played extremely well in the second set of their third round match, but Andreeva still had too much. She faces a stiff test against Madison Keys. The American is one of the most solid competitors on the tour and is looking good as well. Many understandably will want the Andreeva Wimbledon story to continue. But I think experience will finally win the day in this one.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
