A number of big names begin their campaigns on Day 1 at Wimbledon, with title hopefuls looking to avoid early scares and experienced grass-court players aiming to spoil the party. Our writers preview four more intriguing first-round women’s matches and offer their predictions.
Wimbledon Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Coco Gauff vs Tamara Korpatsch
Nurein Ahmed:
We’ve waited for years, but could this be Coco Gauff’s time at Wimbledon? With the spotlight shifting a bit, that can aid Gauff’s tennis and maybe this could be her year at SW19.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Amanda Bergman:
Coco Gauff on grass is never a sure thing, but she’s drawn what should be a straightforward win for her, as Tamara Korpatsch has lost all three grass matches she’s played this year and has never been past the second round of Wimbledon. Gauff consistently makes her grass matches complicated, though, and while she should win it likely won’t be as lopsided as the ranking disparity would suggest.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Anna Kalinskaya vs Magdalena Frech
Nurein:
I have to lean Kalinskaya in this one. Frech is a tough competitor but lacks the power to match Kalinskaya. The Russian is one of the cleanest ball strikers on tour and I think her biggest obstancle in this opening match is her health.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Amanda:
Anna Kalinskaya notched only one grass win this season, and one of her two losses came in a retirement. She’s looked shaky enough that Magdalena Frech could take advantage, but if Kalinskaya is healthy then it’s hard to see Frech coming through on a fast surface against a big hitter.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Dayana Yastremska vs Aoi Ito
Nurein:
On paper, this should be a winnable match for Yastremska. But the Ukrainian’s biggest problem has always been consistency. If she is capable of controlling her offensive power, she should power through to the second round.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Amanda:
Last year, Dayana Yastremska upset Coco Gauff in the first round of Wimbledon and though she doesn’t have many grass wins this year, Aoi Ito hasn’t even made it out of qualifying. Unless Yastremska’s errors get out of control, she should be able to come through this first round fairly easily.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Yulia Putintseva vs Tatjana Maria
Nurein:
Thisis a tricky draw for Putintseva. Maria still relies on that slice-heavy, old-school grass-court game which works wonders on this surface. And she’s coming off a runner-up finish in Eastbourne. But with Putintseva fully recharged and possessing her own destructive slice and variety, I could see an upset.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Amanda:
Tatjana Maria has continued putting up impressive grass results with a run to the final in Eastbourne, and right now Yulia Putintseva just isn’t at the level to challenge her. Maria hasn’t been able to translate her grass season results into a Wimbledon run since 2022, but this first-round matchup is a clear opportunity for her to break that streak.
Prediction: Maria in 2
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
