An entertaining first week at The Championships is coming to a close, but there should still be plenty of exciting tennis on day six at Wimbledon with eight matches on the slate. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Iga Swiatek vs Alexandra Eala, but who will secure their spot in the second week?
Wimbledon Day 6 Predictions
Amanda Anisimova vs Madison Keys
Zain: This all-American clash might seem a bit early in the tournament, as it will be a match closely watched. Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova both rely on aggressive baselining, but the difference here should be in the details, as Anisimova is the better returner of serve and mover on this surface. Keys should pose a serious challenge, but ultimately last year’s finalist should come out on top.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Tope: Amanda Anisimova survived a Sofia Kenin scare, grinding out a match tie-break to keep her grass-court run alive. Now she runs into a red-hot Madison Keys, unbeaten in seven on the surface and fresh off a statement win over Swan. These two traded haymakers at the WTA Finals last year, and this rematch has shootout written all over it.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Elena Rybakina vs Elise Mertens
Zain: Elise Mertens has shown that when she is dialled in, her baseline play can be quite potent. But Elena Rybakina is just a different tier of player on this surface – she is after all a former champion at Wimbledon – and, on the back of her big serve and counterpunching, should win the match.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Tope: Elena Rybakina made a statement, not a match, dismantling Caty McNally 6-1 6-2 to book a ninth showdown with Elise Mertens. History says this is Rybakina’s territory, 7-1 head-to-head, six straight wins, just one set lost. She’s yet to find top gear this fortnight, but the signs point to another gear-shift and another routine night for the world number two.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Maria Sakkari vs Jasmine Paolini
Zain: Both these players have done quite well to make it this far, as they were short on wins coming into the tournament. In this match, both Maria Sakkari and Jasmine Paolini are expected to look to dictate play from the baseline. I expect nerves to play a part here given the opportunity at hand, but ultimately the Italian to prevail.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Tope: Jasmine Paolini’s Wimbledon redemption arc rolls on as she chases the consistency that’s eluded her all season, and a 7-6 6-4 win over Viktorija Golubic has her rolling into a sixth career clash with Maria Sakkari. The Greek holds a 3-2 edge and beat her in Doha in February, but this grass-court first with both players carrying similar surface pedigree should hinge on the opening set, since none of their five meetings has gone the distance. Expect Paolini’s big-match experience at SW19 to edge her over the line.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Ashlyn Krueger vs Daria Snigur
Zain: Daria Snigur produced one of the upsets of the tournament in the first round at Wimbledon, and now, to book a spot in the second week of a Major, she faces Ashlyn Krueger. This match should be closely contested, but I feel the American’s better serve and the confidence of being on a ten-match winning streak will prove to be the difference.
Prediction: Krueger in 3
Tope: Daria Snigur’s giant-killing run rolls on at Wimbledon, but she walks into a buzzsaw in Ashlyn Krueger — a qualifier who’s dismantled everyone in her path. Both women are playing fearless tennis with nothing to lose, so don’t let the rankings fool you. Krueger’s grass-court form,15 wins in her last 16 makes her the one to watch in this first-ever meeting.
Prediction: Krueger in 3
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
