Tuesday will complete the first round at The Championships, Wimbledon. What should we look forward to on Day 2? Anything can happen, and we’re here at LWOT to try to predict it for you. For Day 2, we will predict 16 matches. This article contains four of them, and we also have three more sets of predictions for you. (One features Amanda Anisimova vs Sorana Cirstea, the second headlines Serena Williams vs Giulia Gatto-Monticone, and the third features Donna Vekic vs Alison Riske.) Predicting Day 2 matches for you are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), Jim Smith, and Tracey Essex.
Wimbledon Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Belinda Bencic vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Jim:
It is sometimes easy to forget that Bencic is still just 22, so long has she been a feature in the top tier of the women’s game. Wimbledon has not been her happiest hunting ground, but she has twice reached the second week, including last year. And having put together an impressive, if slightly inconsistent year, she should be targeting another good run this year. Against Pavlyuchenkova she will need to be at her best, but if she is she will win.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Tracey:
There are few players who can go toe to toe against a red-hot Belinda Bencic. It’s obvious the Swiss can play well on grass, making a run to the final at the Mallorca Open. This feisty competitor will find a way through Pavlyuchenkova. And, if she’s cleaned up her errant serve, Bencic can find a way through most anyone. I expect a deep run for the Swiss at Wimbledon.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Yesh:
This is a rough draw for Bencic. The Swiss spent a few years not quite at her top level, but she seems to have picked it up since then. She’s still looking for her first Slam semifinal, but don’t expect it to come here. If she’s not careful, she won’t even reach the second round here.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Harriet Dart vs Christina McHale
Jim:
The wild card Dart, making her second appearance at Wimbledon, looks to have a bright future in the game and the experience of playing at the Championships will surely only aid in her development. But the qualifier McHale has that bit more experience than the young Briton and will be match-tough after coming through the qualifying. That should combine to give her a decisive edge.
Prediction: McHale in 3
Tracey:
Harriet Dart will definitely have the home field advantage. The crowd certainly loves the Brits, and that will help Dart raise her game. A motivated and supported Dart should be able to bounce the qualifier Christina McHale.
Prediction: Dart in 2
Yesh:
Dart is looked at as the potential future for British women’s tennis. She hasn’t quite had it as easy as some would expect. Still, she enjoys the grass and plays well in front of a home crowd. That should be enough to edge by the American McHale, who enjoys the grass herself.
Prediction: Dart in 3
Kiki Bertens vs Mandy Minella
Jim:
After the twin disappointments of being forced to retire in Paris with injury before falling just short on the grass in Rosmalen, it’s uncertain where Bertens; head will be at in south-west London. She is also not the most natural grass courter. That said, she has been having an excellent year on all three surfaces. Expect her to prove too strong for Switzerland’s Minella.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
Tracey:
A finalist in ‘S-Hertogenbosch and a semifinalist in Eastbourne, Kiki Bertens is definitely an in form grass courter. This should be an easy day at the office for Bertens.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
Yesh:
It’s hard to know precisely what type of form Bertens is in right now. She looked fine in the Netherlands, though, which means she should be okay here. As long as she’s healthy, expect minimal trouble for Bertens in this match.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
Maria Sharapova vs Pauline Parmentier
Jim:
Sharapova, despite some good results, has been something of a shadow of her former self since returning from a WADA ban in 2017, in part due to injuries. But those good results illustrate the enduring quality of the Russian. She should feel confident about her chances of overpowering the veteran Parmentier and rightly so.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
Tracey:
France’s Pauline Parmentier hasn’t had a great 2019, and I don’t see it getting much better. Despite a wonky serve which can go off the rails at any moment, Maria Sharapova is a fierce competitor who digs deep to bring in a win. In the early rounds of a grass tournament, the Russian is going to come through. She may win ugly, but she’ll win.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
Yesh:
We haven’t really seen a consistent and healthy Sharapova since her ban a few years ago. When she is healthy, though, she can still beat anyone, on any surface. Grass is her favorite, though, so expect a good performance from her at SW19.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
Main Photo:
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