With 32 matches on the slate on day two, there should be no shortage of entertaining action at Wimbledon. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Serena Williams vs Maya Joint, Madison Keys vs Kayla Day, Iga Swiatek vs Taylor Townsend, Elina Svitolina vs Daria Snigur, Amanda Anisimova vs Lina Gjorcheska, Linda Noskova vs Ella Seiderl, and Alexandra Eala vs Renata Zarazua. But who will advance to the second round?
Wimbledon Day 2 Predictions
Elena Rybakina vs Lois Boisson
Zain: Lois Boisson will always be remembered for her historic run at last year’s French Open, but since then she has been plagued by injuries and physical issues. Against Elena Rybakina, this isn’t a player she is built to challenge on this surface, as the Kazakh is not only one of the big favorites to win the tournament, but also has a serve and backhand combination that can trouble the very best in the sport. Expect Rybakina to kick off her campaign in style.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Ilemona: Rybakina’s game is built for grass, with one of the biggest serves on the WTA Tour and clean ball-striking off both wings. Boisson has enjoyed an excellent breakthrough season, but Rybakina’s ability to shorten points should make life extremely difficult from the start.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Nurein: Rybakina has a genuine shot at becoming the new World No. 1. But that depends on whether she can outperform Aryna Sabalenka. As far as first rounds go, Rybakina could not have asked for kinder draw to kick off her campaign.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Emma Navarro vs Paula Badosa
Zain: Both these players have suffered from ups and downs in the past couple of years, dealing with physical and confidence issues on the court. Paula Badosa has recently struggled on court, while Emma Navarro is starting to look like the player she was a couple of years ago. Expect the American to use her counterpunching on her way to a win here.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Ilemona: This has all the ingredients of one of the best women’s matches of the opening round. Navarro has become increasingly comfortable on grass, but Badosa’s heavier serve and first-strike tennis could allow her to control enough of the shorter rallies to make this a challenge.
Prediction: Navarro in 3
Nurein: It’s Cirstea’s last Wimbledon. The Romanian has not gone beyond the third round at the grass-court Major. It is a surprising stat. But Cirstea’s flatter ground strokes should overwhelm Bejlek, who prefers to grind from the baseline.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Sorana Cirstea vs Sara Bejlek
Zain: In what is her last season on tour, Sorana Cirstea has produced some of her very best tennis, and expect nothing different at what is likely her final Wimbledon appearance. Although Sara Bejlek, with her lefty angles, is very capable of causing an upset here, especially on a surface that rewards attacking play, Cirstea is the more stable player from the baseline and should use that on her way to a win.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Ilemona: Bejlek has carried plenty of confidence into the grass season after a breakthrough campaign, while Cirstea continues to rely on her aggressive baseline game. The Romanian’s experience on faster courts should help her weather the early pressure before taking control.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Nurein: These two players have had their share of healthy issues this year, so it’s great to see them both playing at a high level just in time for Wimbledon. Badosa has enough firepower to hit through Navarro and the question is whether she can sustain it in two or three long sets. If she does, I’d give her the edge.
Prediction: Badosa in 3
Leolia Jeanjean vs Veronika Erjavec
Zain: Both these players faced off in the qualifying rounds of Wimbledon last year and now get another shot at each other in the main draw. Veronika Erjavec won that match in three sets, and it is quite possible that she repeats the outcome on the back of her counterpunching skills. But Leolia Jeanjean has more experience at Wimbledon this year, coming all the way through the qualifying rounds, a stage in which she looked quite good. Expect her to use that experience and exact revenge for last year.
Prediction: Jeanjean in 3
Ilemona: Both players have earned impressive results below tour level over the past year. Jeanjean has generally looked more comfortable transitioning onto grass, and her all-court game could give her the edge in a contest that should feature plenty of long rallies.
Prediction: Jeanjean in 3
Nurein: This is a rematch from last year. Erjavec beat Jeanjean in qualifying and went on to shock Marta Kostyuk in the main draw. Jeanjean brings more variety and isn’t afraid to move forward, but Erjavec is equally comfortable on this surface. I’m backing the Slovenian to repeat her heroics from last year.
Prediction: Erjavec in 3
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
