We are going to be treated to 32 great women’s matches on Day 1 of Wimbledon on Monday. We will see players from World #2 Coco Gauff to qualifiers ranked outside the Top 100. As always, we here at LastWordOnTennis will share our thoughts on all of the matches with you. We split the 32 matches between eight articles. Our other articles feature Coco Gauff vs Caroline Dolehide, Victoria Azarenka vs Sloane Stephens, Naomi Osaka vs Diane Parry, Mirra Andreeva vs Brenda Fruhvirtova, Aryna Sabalenka vs Emina Bektas, Bianca Andreescu vs Jaqueline Cristian, and Emma Navarro vs Qiang Wang. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Steen Kirby, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will win?
Wimbledon Day 1 Predictions
Maria Sakkari vs McCartney Kessler
Jordan:
After a very promising start under new coach David Witt, Sakkari has lost her last three matches in the opening round. Some old frailties appeared in those defeats, although hopefully she does not panic after a couple of setbacks. This is a good draw for the Greek against Kessler, who is playing in her first Wimbledon main draw match. Sakkari should be able to break her losing streak.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Steen:
A former University of Florida standout, Kessler is making her Grand Slam debut as a qualifier and is nearing the top 100 for the first time in her career. The American player is blooming in real time but Maria Sakkari is 19-12 on the year and a former top 5 player, 22-20 in her career on grass, the champion from Greece is expected to use her experience to secure the first-round victory.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Yesh:
It’s too early to know how much potential Kessler might have. It might be pretty high. Whatever it is, though, she’s not on the level to face Sakkari right now.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Alison Van Uytvanck vs Yulia Starodubtseva
Jordan:
Van Uytvanck has not been at her best for a while now. But she does have a strong record on grass, with a fourth round to her name at this event. She may have enough quality left in the tank to overcome Stardoubtseva, who will be playing in her first Wimbledon main draw match.
Prediction: Van Uytvanck in 2
Steen:
Van Uytvanck hasn’t been a major factor on the WTA Tour since 2019. She is in the draw because she won a grass court ITF tournament in the UK and was awarded entry. Starodubtseva secured a main draw appearance the old-fashioned way, going through qualifying. Neither player is a world beater, but Starodubtseva is a rising player, 2023 was a great year for the former NCAA standout on the ITF Tour. The native of Ukraine made her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open and is showing big improvements in her game, Starodubtseva has more upside here.
Prediction: Starodubtseva in 3
Yesh:
Van Uytvanck is at the tail end of her career, and she’s been listless for a long while now. Even so, she’s a grass court specialist who hopefully has one more good Wimbledon run in her.
Prediction: Van Uytvanck in 3
Anca Todoni vs Olga Danilovic
Jordan:
Elisabetta Cocciaretto’s withdrawal has given an opportunity to Danilovic as a lucky loser. Both she and 19-year-old qualifier Todoni will view this as a great opportunity to get a Grand Slam main draw victory. Despite losing in qualifying, Danilovic’s firepower gives her a good chance of progressing against Todoni.
Prediction: Danilovic in 2
Steen:
Todoni qualified and the 20-year-old is at a career high ranking; 2023 and 2024 were fruitful on the ITF circuit for the Romanian. Danilovic reached a career high just inside the Top 100 last season, she hasn’t been able to make a giant leap yet in the rankings and is in the draw as a lucky loser from qualifying. Todoni is another example of a player with upside.
Prediction: Todoni in 3
Yesh:
Todoni qualified here and was impressive. Danilovic was okay in qualifying, but not quite as impressive. That’s the difference for me here right now.
Prediction: Todoni in 3
Paula Badosa vs Karolina Muchova
Jordan:
Hopefully, Muchova is physically ready for this match. She had to retire from her quarterfinal in Eastbourne with the same wrist injury that has plagued the Czech. At her best, Muchova is a better grass court player than Badosa. But uncertainty around Muchova and rustiness she will still have gives the Spaniard the advantage.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Steen:
Muchova is slowly returning from wrist surgery and has barely played this season. The former top 10 player is in uncertain form, though she began her return to tour with a quarterfinal in Eastbourne on grass, and she has some past success on grass. Badosa also comes off of a grass court quarterfinal and is 13-12 on the season, a rather pedestrian record. With Badosta not elite on this surface, Muchova’s game is a bit better suited and she should prevail.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Yesh:
Badosa was World #2 a few short years ago, and her fall has been precipitous. Muchova, meanwhile, is one of the best in the world if she’s healthy. I don’t know how healthy she is, but I’ll assume that if she’s playing she thinks she’s healthy enough.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
