The most important tennis tournament of the year begins on Monday. It’s Wimbledon, from SW19 in London. What does Day 1 have in store? Expect plenty of action, and we’re here at LWOT to try to predict it. For Day 1, we will be focusing on 16 matches. This article will contain four of them, and we also have three other sets of predictions. (One features Naomi Osaka vs Yulia Putintseva, the second headlines Venus Williams vs Cori Gauff, and the third features Alize Cornet vs Victoria Azarenka.) Predicting Day 1 matches for you are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), David Adair, and Tracey Essex.
Wimbledon Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Danielle Collins vs Zarina Diyas
Tracey:
In 2015, Diyas played well enough to have the great Maria Sharapova a bit nervous. Surely, it didn’t turn out the way Diyas had hoped and she did lose 6-4 6-4. But, it shows the Kazakhstan has skills on the grass. And, while she may make Collins uncomfortable from time to time, the American will take this match in straight sets.
Prediction: Collins in 2
David:
25-year-old Kazakh Zarina Diyas has given herself game time on the grass by electing to play in the ITF Manchester event that she won in 2017. This year, she reached the final, only to just miss out against Poland’s Magda Linette. She didn’t drop a set in qualifying for Eastbourne, but just did not have the answers against a precise Lesia Tsurenko in the first round. American Danielle Collins is at her most dangerous when you think she isn’t dangerous. Collins only turned out at Eastbourne and promptly withdrew 5-0 down in the first round, first set against Yulia Putintseva. Diyas should add to her 2017 Tokyo straight sets win over Collins with another one here.
Prediction: Diyas in 2
Yesh:
Collins has been a revelation these past two years. Her Australian Open run is something she’ll want to emulate on a surface that again suits her game.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Simona Halep vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Tracey:
Aliaksandra Sasnovich doesn’t do well on grass, winning 45% of her matches on this surface. While Simona Halep doesn’t dominate this surface, she will certainly dominate this match.
Prediction: Halep in 2
David:
Simona Halep looks sharper this grass season if the evidence of Eastbourne is anything to judge by. Sasnovich is 0-2 on grass this and a win is not looking likely here.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Yesh:
Halep honestly seems vulnerable to me right now. We’ll see how her level goes as this tournament goes on, but she could be at risk of an early loss. Sasnovich is not the player to take advantage of that, though.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Mihaela Buzarnescu vs Jessica Pegula
Tracey:
Jessie Pegula does just fine on the ITF tour, but is far from a player likely to upset. Hiccups along the way, sure. But, Buzarnescu is going on to the second round.
Prediction: Buzarnescu in 2
David:
The likable Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu has not been the same since her horrific Rogers Cup 2018 injury. She had a great grass season last season, going 9-4 and making the 3rd round here. She is 0-2 this season, but is playing with more purpose and confidence. American Jessica Pegula has the same grass court record as Buzarnescu this season. This is a good match-up for the Romanian to start re-building her season.
Prediction: Buzarnescu in 3
Yesh:
This will depend on Buzarnescu’s health. Her resurgence last year was amazing, but she seems to have settled into where she fits and hasn’t really risen since. And yes, injuries always play a part. She should win, but Pegula will make this closer than you’d expect.
Prediction: Buzarnescu in 3
Elina Svitolina vs Daria Gavrilova
Tracey:
Elina Svitolina is far from the tournament-tough player we saw earlier this year. First round exits in Eastbourne and Birmingham certainly don’t bode well for Ukrainian. Perhaps this is the win Svitolina will need to get her movement on point and her confidence raised. Daria Gavrilova put up a fight when these two met in Indian Wells. If this were a hard court match, I’d give the Aussie a fighting chance against a struggling Svitolina. But, Gavriloa won’t fare well on grass against the #8 seed.
Prediction: Svitolina in 2
David:
Elina Svitolina is evidently still reeling from another disappointing French Open after a 3rd round loss to Murugruza. Neither player over exerts themselves on grass. Elina Svitolina has a 10-16 career record on the surface, whereas Daria Gavrilova is 16-17. This just nudges the verdict in the Aussie’s favor. Only two of the pair’s eight meetings have gone the distance, suggesting whoever gets on top often stays on top in their matches.
Prediction: Gavrilova in 2
Yesh:
Honestly, I’m seeing an upset here. Svitolina has struggled recently, and has fallen far from the heights she reached just last year. She has failed to meet expectations at Wimbledon, on grass in general, and for much of this year. I’m liking the young Aussie here.
Prediction: Gavrilova in 3
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
