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, Emma Navarro vs Qiang Wang, Bianca Andreescu vs Jaqueline Cristian, and Paula Badosa vs Karolina Muchova. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Steen Kirby, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will win?
Wimbledon Day 1 Predictions
Sorana Cirstea vs Sonay Kartal
Jordan:
Cirstea needs to be careful here. Her ranking is much higher than the British qualifier Kartal. But she has suffered surprising first round losses in both her previous grass court matches this year. The Romanian should still win, but Kartal will believe an upset is possible.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Steen:
Sonay Kartal is a home British player who came through qualifying and has had a great run this year on the ITF tour, along with being skilled on grass. The veteran Cirstea remains in the Top 40 but has never achieved anything of note on grass; this match feels like an upset if Kartal plays up to her best level and Cirstea is pedestrian.
Prediction: Kartal in 2
Yesh:
Brits at Wimbledon are always dangerous, and Kartal was impressive in qualifying here. Meanwhile, Cirstea has looked awful on grass this last month. I’m smelling upset.
Prediction: Kartal in 2
Dayana Yastremska vs Nadia Podoroska
Jordan:
Yastremska has struggled to find any consistency since her run to the Australian Open semifinal at the start of the year. Nonetheless, clay court specialist Podoroska is a good first round draw for her. The Argentine will put a lot of balls back into play, but Yastremska should be able to navigate the challenge she poses.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Steen:
13-12 on the year and with some success on grass, Yastremska could make a run at Wimbledon as she tries to overachieve her career high ranking and break into the Top 20. Podoroska has been good on the ITF poor but pedestrian at WTA level and isn’t comfortable on this surface.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Yesh:
On clay I would take Podoroska. On hard courts I’d probably also take Podoroska. On grass? It’s a lot closer, but I’m still going to take Podoroska. Barely.
Prediction: Podoroska in 3
Greet Minnen vs Heather Watson
Jordan:
Home favourite Watson proved how dangerous she can be by reaching the fourth round at SW19 in 2022. Minnen is a much more consistent player than the Briton and she also reached the quarterfinal in ‘S-Hertogenbosch a few weeks ago. Yet, I feel that Watson’s powerful strokes are ideal for disrupting Minnen’s rhythm, giving her a good chance of winning at Wimbledon once again.
Prediction: Watson in 3
Steen:
Britain’s Watson has home support but hasn’t been a major factor on Tour in two years. Minnen has struggled at the Tour level as well lately and this may not be the highest quality match; Minnen gets the coin flip edge despite Watson having home support given the surface.
Prediction: Minnen in 3
Yesh:
Watson almost beat Serena Williams here almost a decade ago. It hasn’t been an impressive career since then, but the potential has always been there. Still, she hasn’t done much to inspire confidence in winning matches here, even in front of her own fans. I think Minnen will frustrate her and disappoint the locals.
Prediction: Minnen in 3
Aryna Sabalenka vs Emina Bektas
Jordan:
This should be a comfortable start for Sabalenka. Bektas did beat Blinkova a few weeks ago on grass. However, the Russian was far below her best in that match and Sabalenka is a level above her anyway.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Steen:
30-9 on the season and with an excellent record on grass, Sabalenka should defeat the ITF player Bektas in routine fashion. Bektas has rarely played matches of this stature.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Yesh:
Bektas is a solid enough player who can be fun to watch, but she’s got nothing that can challenge Sabalenka here.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
