The second round begins on Day 3 of Wimbledon, with 16 exciting women’s singles matches on offer. As always, our writers here at LWOT share their thoughts on all of the matches. We split the 16 matches between four articles–the other three feature Aryna Sabalenka vs Marie Bouzkova, Emma Raducanu vs Marketa Vondrousova , and Elina Svitolina vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Nurein Ahmed, and Manan Mehta. Who do you think will advance?
Wimbledon Day 3 Predictions
Katie Boulter vs Solana Sierra
Jordan:
Boulter’s win against Paula Badosa did not surprise me. The Briton is a very good grass court player when her game clicks, and a deep run at her home tournament feels inevitable. It could come this year, and I do not think Sierra has enough to stop her.
Prediction: Boulter in 2
Nurein:
This could be a big fortnight for Katie Boulter. Losing the tag as the British No. 1 might be the fuel she needs to make a statement. And she delivered in the opening round by knocking out a top 10 seed. Sierra is still an up-and-coming player who doesn’t have so much experience at this level. This is unlikely to be close.
Prediction: Boulter in 2
Manan:
Boulter hasn’t been very consistent on the Tour this year. Regular early round defeats have not done well to her. However, she has earned herself and easier draw here after taking out No. 9 Badosa in the first round. She will be a handful against the inexperienced Sierra.
Prediction: Boulter in 2
Ashlyn Krueger vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Jordan:
This is a clash of two powerful hitters who are not entirely natural on grass. Both women struggle with moving on it, and play a lot of shots unbalanced. Krueger’s serve is slightly more formidable, which could give her the edge.
Prediction: Krueger in 3
Nurein:
This is an interesting one that I can’t wrap my head around the final outcome. I’d probably just give Krueger the edge. The American is the player with strong serving numbers and growing momentum and she must have learned a lesson or two from her meeting with Pavlyuchenkova in Washington last season.
Prediction: Krueger in 3
Manan:
Both Krueger and Pavlyuchenkova have endured ordinary seasons. Failing to stitch two good performances together has been their resume for the year. However, the Russian has the experience of deep runs in Grand Slams and should use that to her advantage to get a win here.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Jasmine Paolini vs Kamilla Rakhimova
Jordan:
Paolini managed to recover in time from a poor opening set against Anastasija Sevastova. The 2024 runner-up’s game is much better and more complete than Rakhimova’s. A bad performance from her would be needed to make an upset possible.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Nurein:
Paolini looked in serious trouble against Anastasija Sevastova. Maybe it’s the court craft that unsettles her, and it would take a player with similar gifts to the Latvian to beat her. When I look at Rakhimova’s style, it’s too one-dimensional, and Paolini will be comfortable rallying.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Manan:
Paolini has come into Wimbledon with loads of expectations. She is one of the top seeds and has done well this year to get to a career high of #4. The fragility of Rakhimova should prove to be an easy battle for the fourth seed.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Elina Svitolina vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Jordan:
Svitolina should have no issues here. Sasnovich’s win against Varvara Gracheva in a deciding set tiebreak was among the most dramatic women’s matches on Day 1. Svitolina is much less prone to unforced errors and fluctuations throughout matches than Gracheva, making victory for Sasnovich unlikely.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Nurein:
Svitolina has become very adaptable since her comeback from maternity and probably stands the best chance of the nine mothers playing in this year’s tournament to go deep. Sasnovich’s level on grass hovers below average and while she’ll challenge, she is unlikely to hurt the Ukrainian.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Manan:
Sasnovich should be proud to make it to the main draw. She has struggled to get past the qualifiers in recent events. However, Svitolina proves to be a very tough challenge. The experience of the Ukrainian should come through easily.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
