The opening day at Wimbledon concludes with another set of intriguing first-round encounters, as rising stars, former champions, and players returning to form all look to book their place in the second round. Our writers make their final Day 1 predictions.
Wimbledon Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Iva Jovic vs Jaqueline Cristian
Yesh:
Iva Jovic is a rapidly rising star. She is finding her range and footing everywhere, and she never seems to struggle with the big occasions. I expect her to make a big run here.
Prediction: Jovic in 2
Amanda:
Last year, Iva Jovic lost in the first round of Wimbledon, but she’s made major strides on grass since then with her run to the Queen’s Club semifinal a few weeks ago that included wins over Alexandra Eala and Amanda Anisimova. Jaqueline Cristian has won only one main-draw match at Wimbledon and doesn’t have the weapons needed to outhit Jovic’s consistency.
Prediction: Jovic in 2
Karolina Muchova vs Anastasia Zakharova
Yesh:
Muchova is coming off a title and finally looks healthy. That’s never lasted in her career, but when she’s playing free and uninjured, she’s one of the best in the world.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Amanda:
The pieces are clicking for Karolina Muchova, who is coming off the Bad Homburg title—her second of the year. Muchova is currently on a four-year streak of round 1 losses at Wimbledon, but that was preceded by two quarterfinal runs. She’s in excellent form and can handle Anastasia Zakharova, who she just defeated in straight sets at the French Open.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Maja Chwalinska vs Mananchaya Sawangkaew
Yesh:
What can Chwalinska do after that miraculous French Open run? She hasn’t played since, so there might be some rust. But I don’t think she’ll lose in her very next match.
Prediction: Chwalinska in 3
Amanda:
Wimbledon marks the highly anticipated return of French Open finalist Maja Chwalinska as she takes on qualifier Mananchaya Sawangkaew. Sawangkaew had a battle in every round of qualifying and can pose a challenge, but Chwalinska is coming off the run of her life and has found some small success at Wimbledon in the past.
Prediction: Chwalinska in 3
Bianca Andreescu vs Shuai Zhang
Yesh:
Andreescu’s once-elite career never really materialized, due to injuries. She doesn’t seem fully healthy here either, but if she is she should win.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
Amanda:
Bianca Andreescu went through qualifying to get into the main draw and notched some quality wins along the way. Those reps may prove to be important, as Shuai Zhang has only won qualifying matches during this grass season and hasn’t been past the first round of Wimbledon since 2022. Right now, Andreescu is at her best when she plays herself into form, and in qualifying she did just that.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
