The All England Club moves into its second week as Day 7 at Wimbledon provides us with four women looking to punch their spot in the quarterfinals. A loaded slate is on deck, paced by No. 2 seed Coco Gauff squaring off against her American counterpart Emma Navarro. As always, we at LWOT have roundtable predictions for all Grand Slam action. Jordan Reynolds, Damian Kust, and Yesh Ginsburg offer their insights.
Wimbledon Day 7 Women’s Predictions
Jasmine Paolini vs Madison Keys
Jordan
Neither player dropped a set in the first three rounds, with Paolini’s swift adaptation to grass being especially impressive, since she had little history of success on the surface until this year. At her best, Keys is still the favourite on grass due to her blistering serve and power. Paolini can counter that with her strong returning, but her second serve is very attackable. Keys jumping on that might be the most important difference in this matchup.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Damian
Keys looks like she might do something huge here or at the US Open, but she’s not gonna have an easy time manoeuvring through the draw here. Paolini is so confident at the moment and found her game even on grass. Keys will have to deliver some really high quality to take her down. She’s got it in her arsenal, so it’s all about execution.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Yesh
Jasmine Paolini has been a different player in the last year, and now rightly is in the game’s elite. But Madison Keys is in great form and has one of the best games on Tour for grass. She’ll go far.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Donna Vekic vs Paula Badosa
Jordan
Badosa’s level from 2-4 down in the deciding set against Daria Kasatkina was outstanding. Vekic, who is a very good grass-court player in her own right, will find it tough to stop her if she reaches those heights again. Expect plenty of powerful hitting between these two, but Badosa is narrowly favoured to win again.
Prediction: Badosa in 3
Damian
This should be fun, both are such excellent aggressive ball-strikers and like the grass. Badosa is the one with a higher upside, but there’s always some potential physical issues with her and that thriller win over Kasatkina might have taken a lot out of her. I’ll still back her to move through at least one more round.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Yesh
Both of these players look solid, and one of them will be rewarded with a quarterfinal appearance. Neither has a great advantage in this matchup, so expect a tight and fun match.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Emma Raducanu vs Lulu Sun
Jordan
Sun deserves huge credit for making the fourth-round in her first main draw appearance at Wimbledon. However, it is not unfair to say this is a great fourth-round draw for Raducanu. She comfortably saw off Elise Mertens and Maria Sakkari in the last two rounds, who have more pedigree on grass than Sun does. The 2021 US open champion to prevail comfortably.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Damian
Raducanu got some criticism for skipping the latter parts of the clay season, but it seems that she was right and managed to prepare some great form for the grass swing. The last two wins over Sakkari and Mertens have been clinical and she’s got a nice draw here. Been a wonderful cinderella story for Sun, but the quality gap between her and Raducanu might be a bit too much.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Yesh
Raducanu withdrew from her Mixed Doubles with Andy Murray. She says she’s okay, but that leads me to believe that she’s not 100%. Which is stunning, because she has looked tremendous this tournament. Even if she’s not at her best, she could still beat Sun. Things get dicey after that, though.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Coco Gauff vs Emma Navarro
Jordan
Gauff has been on her game in the opening two rounds, but she will be tested by Navarro. Her compatriot does not possess blistering power, but she is very accurate with her shots. That means she will be able to aim her shots regularly and effectively at Gauff’s weaker forehand. I still believe the US Open champion will progress, but in two competitive sets.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Damian
Gauff has been delivering some very comfortable wins so far at Wimbledon with her base level just being way too much for most players outside the elite. This is where things might get fun as Navarro very much belongs. The second seed still looks like the obvious favorite in this all-American clash though. Navarro would probably fare better against someone with a more typical big-hitting playstyle.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Yesh
This is where Coco Gauff finally gets a challenge. Emma Navarro is coming, and the grass suits her game well. The women’s bracket has been full of upsets, and don’t be surprised if another one shows up here.
Prediction: Navarro in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
