We’re at the last eight of this year’s Wimbledon. All four women’s quarterfinal matchups will be played on Tuesday (weather permitting), and our panelists are here to predict all four of them for you. Today’s panelists are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), along with writers Brett Margolies and Vithun Illankovan.
Panelists Predictions Wimbledon Women’s Quarterfinals
Garbine Muguruza vs Svetlana Kuznetsova
Brett:
After a tough three set comeback win against #1 Angelique Kerber, Garbine Muguruza will face 7th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova. Muguruza has won the last three times they’ve played and I think she’ll make it four straight. She fought hard to beat Kerber and looked like she’s close to the form that took her to the 2015 Wimbledon final.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Vithun:
At the end of 2016, I predicted that Muguruza would win one of either the French Open or Wimbledon in 2017. This prediction may hold true come Saturday. This is especially because her next opponent Kuznetsova has never gone past the Wimbledon quarter-finals and despite being very consistent has not scored many wins against the very best players recently.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Yesh:
Muguruza struggled a bit in her match against World #1 Angelique Kerber, but she overcame it and came back to beat the top seed. Kuznetsova has looked very strong, though, but she doesn’t quite match up well against the Spaniard.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Venus Williams vs Jelena Ostapenko
Brett:
I have a hard time believing this won’t be the most entertaining quarterfinal match on Tuesday. Ostapenko struggled towards the end of her win over Svitolina but eventually converted her 8th match point for the win. Venus looked impressive as she has the whole tournament so far, look for her to move on to the semifinals in a close match snapping Ostapenko’s 11-match Slam win streak.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Vithun:
Whilst I am a big fan of Venus, I really do not rate her play in 2016 and 2017 nearly as high as most. I don’t think she is able to beat the top players when they are in good form and 100% fit. I have been very impressed with Ostapenko at Wimbledon–she is the first player since Kim Clijsters at the 2006 Australian Open to reach the quarterfinals in the subsequent Grand Slam after winning their maiden Slam title. I believe this match is on her racket and with the wave of confidence she is currently riding I don’t see why she cannot go deeper in this tournament.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Yesh:
Ostapenko has looked unreal since the French Open, but she has definitely had her moments of struggle. And, unlike many of her opponents during this win streak, Venus won’t succumb to the pressure.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Coco Vandeweghe vs Magdalena Rybarikova
Brett:
Coco Vandeweghe will be looking for some revenge on Magdalena Rybarikova after she was defeated 6-1 6-4 on the red clay in Paris less than a month ago. Grass obviously favors Vandeweghe’s game more and she’s in to the quarterfinals without a dropping a set yet. Look for her to get to the semifinals at the All England Club for the first time in her career. Prediction: Vandeweghe in 2
Vithun:
In the last seven Grand Slams there has been at least one unseeded woman in the semifinals. I don’t see why that would change when the women’s tour is more open than ever, particularly as Vandeweghe is no stranger to throwing in a random erratic performance.
Prediction: Rybarikova in 3
Yesh:
Vandeweghe looked very strong as she beat Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets. This has been an amazing run for Rybarikova, but it’s going to end against the American.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 2
Johanna Konta vs Simona Halep
Brett:
You can sense the British fans starting to get more and more behind Konta as she’s now reached the quarterfinals. After dropping the second set she bounced back nicely taking the third set 6-4. Halep on the other hand, wore down Victoria Azarenka after a close first set to win quite comfortably. Konta has won their previous two meetings on tour but both were relatively close. I think this will be close as well with the home crowd helping Konta advance to the semifinals of Wimbledon for the first time in her career.
Prediction: Konta in 3
Vithun:
None of the players who made their Grand Slam semi-final debut at the Australian Open in recent years (Sloane Stephens, Eugenie Bouchard, Madison Keys, and Johanna Konta) have reached another Grand Slam semi-final after that breakthrough year. I also don’t think the Tennis Gods will let Karolina Pliskova get to No.1 on a week where she lost in the second round, as casual tennis fans (unaware of her great last 12 months) will heavily criticize the women’s game. Therefore, I believe Halep will clinch the World No.1 ranking for the first time in her career.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Yesh:
Konta looks entire unfazed as the weight of British expectations rests on her shoulders. She has become the first British women’s singles quarterfinalist since 1984, and she looks to keep rewriting the history books as she chases Virginia Wade, who won the title in 1977. I don’t think that Halep has the grass game to stop her, especially as the Romanian will have the added pressure of earning the World #1 ranking with one more win.
Prediction: Konta in 2
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