The opening day of Wimbledon offers no shortage of compelling matchups, with established stars looking to avoid early upsets and several dangerous outsiders hoping to make a statement. As always, our writers break down the action and share their predictions for four more first-round women’s matches.
Wimbledon Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Mirra Andreeva vs Magda Linette
Amanda:
Mirra Andreeva’s Roland Garros momentum didn’t carry over into her grass warmup tournament, but that shouldn’t make much of a difference in the first round of Wimbledon. Andreeva leads the head-to-head against Magda Linette 3-1 and has been solid at Wimbledon since her first appearance there.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Nurein:
Will the Wimbledon curse strike again for the new French Open champion? It’s very unlikely. Andreeva has dominated this matchup and has superior shot-making to Linette. It would be a major shock if the Russian falls.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Anna Bondar vs Solana Sierra
Amanda:
Solana Sierra’s run to the round of 16 at last year’s Wimbledon is her best Grand Slam result yet, and against Anna Bondar she can get a solid start this year. Bondar is much more comfortable on clay than grass and this is the exact sort of matchup Sierra is hoping for.
Prediction: Sierra in 2
Nurein:
Sierra enjoyed a breakthrough tournament at Wimbledon last season and now she’s got to defend those points to avoid slipping in the rankings. Thankfully, this is a good draw. Bondar has zero wins in her last three matches and she’s far more comfortable on clay than grass.
Prediction: Sierra in 2
Sara Sorribes Tormo vs Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva
Amanda:
Neither Sara Sorribes Tormo nor Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva have played much in the lead-up to Wimbledon, so Sorribes Tormo’s more extensive experience is an advantage. Jimenez Kasintseva has only ever played Wimbledon qualifying before and isn’t really a factor on grass, so Sorribes Tormo should be able to pull through.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Nurein:
Sorribes Tormo thrashed Jimenez Kasintseva 6-1 6-1 when they played earlier this month in a WTA 125K event. Surely the Andorran cannot any fare any worse. I would treat that as a blip. And considering that Sorribes Tormo has not played since Makarska, Jimenez Kasintseva enters this match with some matches under her belt in recent weeks.
Prediction: Jimenez Kasintseva in 3
Ann Li vs Zeynep Sonmez
Amanda:
Zeynep Sonmez had solid runs in all the grass tournaments she played this year and had a third-round showing at Wimbledon last year. Her first-round opponent, Ann Li, hasn’t been as successful on the grass, and Sonmez leads the head-to-head 2-0, placing her firmly as the favorite.
Prediction: Sonmez in 2
Nurein:
Sonmez is fast-becoming a household name in Grand Slams back home. And there is no bigger stage than Wimbledon to make an impression. She did it last year by reaching the third round and she’s taken her grass-court game to a new level this season. I like her chances here.
Prediction: Sonmez in 3
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
