Day 1 at Wimbledon continues with another intriguing slate of first-round women’s matches, featuring home favorites, dangerous floaters, and players looking to make a strong start at the All England Club. Our writers share their thoughts and predictions for four matches as we have predictions for every match this tournament.
Wimbledon Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Emma Raducanu vs Antonia Ruzic
Nurein Ahmed:
Will Raducanu pass a late fitness test and play? There are concerns she might withdraw at the 11th hour after cutting short her last practice session. That said, this might be a good opportunity for Antonia Ruzic who is now a tour regular and won’t fazed by the occasion.
Prediction: Ruzic in 3
Amanda Bergman:
Emma Raducanu started grass season strong with a run to the Queen’s Club final and has proven many times how well she can compete at Wimbledon, and if she’s healthy, Antonia Ruzic shouldn’t pose much of a threat. Raducanu has had some injury concerns, though, which could certainly affect the match.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Jelena Ostapenko vs Harriet Dart
Nurein:
Dart has 1 win from her last 6 matches. She’s woefully out of form. This was meant to be the swing that turn her season around. The only concern for Ostapenko not winning this match is if she’s not fully healthy after retiring in her last match in Eastbourne.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Amanda:
Jelena Ostapenko’s solid Eastbourne run came to an end in a retirement, and Harriet Dart has the potential to make this matchup complicated. The only other time they’ve played was on grass where Ostapenko won in straight sets, but this one may not be as straightforward considering Ostapenko’s injury and a home Slam crowd.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Alycia Parks vs Alicia Dudeney
Nurein:
On paper this looks like a winnable match for Alicia Dudeney. But when you consider Alycia Parks’ biggest weapons, then I don’t think the American will struggle to find her range in this one. Expect Dudeney to impress on her Wimbledon, but fall just short.
Prediction: Parks in 3
Amanda:
Wildcard Alicia Dudeney has a real chance to get her first Grand Slam win here as Alycia Parks’ game depends heavily on how well she’s able to cut down errors, a factor exacerbated by the quickness of grass. Dudeney has a win this grass season over Yulia Putintseva, who has an aggressive gamestyle similar to Parks, while Parks hasn’t managed a win on grass this year.
Prediction: Dudeney in 3
Xinyu Wang vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Nurein:
Cocciaretto is more than capable of delivering a shock, but she has featured just once since the French Open. Xinyu Wang is one of the most improved players on grass in the past year and should be the favorite to progress.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Amanda:
Last week in Bad Homburg, Xinyu Wang showcased some solid grass-court tennis and has a few good Wimbledon results backing her up. Elisabetta Cocciaretto has also had strong showings at Wimbledon, but she’s played only one grass match this year and lost. This match should be close, but ultimately Wang has been playing better tennis.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
