Day 6 at Wimbledon includes an absolutely amazing lineup. There are eight women’s matches left before Manic Monday, and all eight have real potential. Who will win these matches? We’re here at LWOT to give our thoughts on all eight Day 6 matches. Four will be in this article, but we also have the other four Day 6 matches. Predicting this set of matches are Jim Smith, Eric Han, and David Adair.
Wimbledon Day 6 Women’s Predictions
Ashleigh Barty vs Harriet Dart
Jim:
It has been a great run for Dart, who will be making her debut in the third round at a Major. But it is hard to see her stopping Barty, who is in the form of her life. The Australian’s game is well-suited to the grass and she should have too much guile and craft for Dart.
Prediction: Barty in 2
David:
Harriet Dart has the armory to trouble Barty, but the momentum built up from her French Open win has continued into the grass season for Barty. It’s hard to see Harriet Dart troubling her at the moment.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Eric:
Grass is arguably Barty’s favourite surface and with the form she has been in, she should emerge victorious. It will be a good experience for the young Brit, but the World #1 will be too strong.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Alison Riske vs Belinda Bencic
Jim:
Riske has done well to come through a tough section of the draw to reach the third round, but her path through has been anything but straightforward. After beating Irina Jorovic 9-7 in the third set, one wonders how much the American has left in the tank. Whilst Bencic may not be most at home on the grass, she should have enough to beat a weary Riske.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
David:
This is arguably the match of the round. Bencic has upped her level this season and looks comfortable on grass. The way she out-muscled and out-thought Kanepi in Round 2 was impressive. Bencic came back from the dead to beat Riske at Wimbledon last year in three tight sets. Alison Riske is an outsider capable of surprising everyone at Wimbledon this year. She has only lost one match all grass season, picking up titles in Surbiton and ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Riske can upset Bencic here.
Prediction: Riske in 3
Eric:
Riske came through a marathon three-setter in her previous match and will be both physically and mentally drained coming into this match. The Swiss should advance to the next round as Riske will be tired.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Elise Mertens vs Qiang Wang
Jim:
Mertens has looked impressive so far, but 15th seed Wang will present a stern test for the Belgian. Neither woman has yet dropped a set, but Wang is the more natural grass-courter and that should give her the edge in this one.
Prediction: Wang in 3
David:
Wang has won all three previous encounters in three sets. They have not met on grass before. This should allow the Belgian to make inroads in to the head to head deficit.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Eric:
It will be a close encounter as Wang has yet to be broken all tournament. On the other hand, Mertens has yet to drop a set, and has won two sets by bagels. The Belgian should edge it given her experience, but it could go either way.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Sloane Stephens vs Johanna Konta
Jim:
Konta crushed Stephens at the French Open, playing probably the best match of her life to do so. Backed by the home crowd, in faster conditions, the Briton will surely feel she has a real chance of getting by the 2017 US Open champion again.
Prediction: Konta in 3
David:
It’s a one sided head-to-head 3-0 in Konta’s favour. Also, the last meeting in the last eight at the French Open was dominated by Konta. This will be a tighter match though, Stephens is finding her rhythm early so far. Arguably, she is playing better than Konta, so can just edge this match.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Eric:
Konta has a 3-0 head-to-head lead over the American, and most recently defeated her at the French Open last month. Both players have been in good form throughout the tournament, but with the home support Konta will bring, she should get through.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
