The first round at Wimbledon continues with another quartet of fascinating women’s matches, featuring former champions, dangerous seeds, and several players looking to build momentum on grass. Our writers weigh in with their predictions.
Wimbledon Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Naomi Osaka vs Elsa Jacquemot
Amanda:
Naomi Osaka had one of the best grass runs of her career last week in Bad Homburg, but it ended in a retirement that puts Wimbledon at risk. If healthy, though, this is a very winnable match for Osaka, as Elsa Jacquemot has never been much of a factor at Wimbledon.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Yesh:
Naomi Osaka is playing solid tennis on grass for the first time in her career. That could be scary for the rest of the fill.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
McCartney Kessler vs Oleksandra Oliynykova
Amanda:
The only grass match Oleksandra Oliynykova played this season was a 6-2 6-0 loss in Eastbourne qualifying, where she was the top seed, and this is her first time playing in the main draw of Wimbledon. McCartney Kessler picked up some form toward the end of grass season and should get a comfortable win here.
Prediction: Kessler in 2
Yesh:
This could be a fun matchup. Kessler doesn’t always look comfortable on the grass yet, but her game should translate very well. She should beat the more-inexperienced Ukrainian.
Prediction: Kessler in 3
Anastasia Potapova vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
Amanda:
Anastasia Potapova’s Wimbledon preparation was cut short by a retirement in Berlin, and though Jessica Bouzas Maneiro isn’t coming into Wimbledon with many wins either, she did have a quality fourth-round run last year. Bouzas Maneiro has proven herself against players of Potapova’s calendar and can pull off the upset.
Prediction: Bouzas Maneiro in 3
Yesh:
Potapova has been slumping a bit recently, but Bouzas Maneiro isn’t great on grass herself. This won’t be a great match, but I feel like Potapova has more upside.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Panna Udvardy
Amanda:
This matchup is familiar, as it happened just a few weeks ago in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Ekaterina Alexandrova was the top seed, but Panna Udvardy pulled off a straight-set upset. However, Alexandrova is far more settled into grass and had a solid week in Bad Homburg, where she knocked off Mirra Andreeva. A first-round match at a 250 is one thing, but asking Udvardy to pull off the upset again at a Grand Slam is entirely another matter.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Yesh:
Alexandrova has quietly become one of the better players on Tour. This is a rough matchup for her, as Udvardy is strong, but I’d expect Alexandrova to find her way through.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
