Day 1 of Wimbledon is one of the most hectic days on the tennis calendar. Half of the first round–32 men’s matches and 32 women’s matches–will be completed on Monday. As always, we’re here at LWOT to share our thoughts on all of them for you. The women’s matches are split between eight sets of predictions. In addition to this article, we have articles featuring Petra Kvitova vs Sloane Stephens, Garbine Muguruza vs Fiona Ferro, Jessica Pegula vs Caroline Garcia, Iga Swiatek vs Su-Wei Hsieh, Madison Keys vs Katie Swan, Karolina Pliskova vs Tamara Zidansek, and Sofia Kenin vs Xinyu Wang. Predicting this set of matches are Fraser Learmonth, Tracey Essex, and Jakub Bobro.
Wimbledon Women’s Day 1 Predictions
Nadia Podoroska vs Ann Li
Fraser:
This should be a great match between two young up-and-comers on the women’s tour. Li is a promising talent who is still finding her feet in the top tier of the game while Podoraska has established herself as a deserving feature in the Top 100. Li’s game suits grass better and I think she’ll come through here, but it should be an entertaining match.
Prediction: Li in 3
Tracey:
Podoroska has so much upside to her game. And, her recent quarterfinal appearance in Germany leads me to believe that she’s the better prepared of the two. Certainly, Li can keep pace in the initial stages. But, once Podoroska hits her stride, she will command in the decider.
Prediction: Podoroska in 3
Jakub:
Ann Li, 2017 Wimbledon Junior finalist, is looking to impress in her first main draw appearance here. The 21-year-old’s lead-up was a mixed bag, but she did take a set off Petra Kvitova in Bad Homburg. Podoroska is also going to be making her Wimbledon main draw debut, getting wins over Mara Guth and Patricia Maria Tig before also losing to Petra Kvitova in Bad Homburg. Li is considered the favorite, perhaps because of her game suiting the surface more.
Prediction: Li in 3
Veronika Kudermetova vs Viktorija Golubic
Fraser:
Surprisingly, Golubic has to be the favorite here given the tennis she has played on grass over the last week. Kudermetova is a rising young talent on the tour and has no clear weaknesses in her game, but Golubic has the game to pull off the upset here and I expect her to do just that.
Prediction: Golubic in 3
Tracey:
Kudermetova started the year with a steady string of win, including the Volvo Car Open title in Charleston. Yet, the Russian hasn’t found that success on the grass court swing. This is a tricky opener for Kudermetova who will need to be sharp from the start. Golubic had no traction in Nottingham and Birmingham. But the Swiss certainly made a statement in Eastbourne, bouncing veteran Sam Stosur and sixth seed Belinda Bencic en route to her quarterfinal appearance. Even in defeat, Golubic pushed Anett Kontaveit to the decider. I think we’ll see an upset here.
Prediction: Golubic in 3
Jakub:
Kudermetova had an okay lead-up, beating Karolina Muchova but losing to Liudmilla Samsonova and Alison Riske. She has only made the second round once at Wimbledon, and standing in her way is a tricky opponent. Viktorija Golubic, Damian Kust’s pick for dark horse at Wimbledon, has a great 38-12 record in 2021 so far, winning two ITFs and reaching two WTA 250 finals as a qualifier. Last time she played at Wimbledon, the Swiss upset Swiatek and Putintseva. Golubic is definitely someone to watch.
Prediction: Golubic in 2
Misaki Doi vs Claire Liu
Fraser:
Another first round match that could swing either way. Doi is more experienced at this level and that will likely prove the edge in a close-fought affair. Expect her to advance in this one.
Prediction: Doi in 2
Tracey:
Claire Liu worked hard to get past Astra Sharma in the qualifying round. After dropping the first, the American lost just three games over the next two sets to earn her main draw berth. This is a big match for Liu who certainly has the capability to take this one. Doi will try to be aggressive. Yet, Liu should be able to counter that. Unfortunately, I don’t think Liu will take advantage of her opportunities in this one. And, we’ll see Doi move through to the second round.
Prediction: Doi in 2
Jakub:
A match between a 30-year-old veteran, who reached the Round of 16 five years ago, and a 21-year-old qualifier, who won Junior Wimbledon four years ago, should be definitely interesting. In terms of form this year, Liu is winning in a landslide as she won back-to-back ITFs in Charlottesville and Charletson before beating Jamie Loeb, Katerina Siniakova, and Astra Sharma to qualify for Wimbledon.
Prediction: Liu in 2
Venus Williams vs Mihaela Buzarnescu
Fraser:
A battle of to true veterans of the tour lies in store here. Venus Williams is marching towards the end of an incredible career with an unwavering love for the game and a competitive desire to win. If she can find the glimpses of great tennis she has shown in the last few months she should be able to make a decent run here.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Tracey:
Neither Venus nor Buzarnescu have played any lead up tournaments. So, you’ll have two players hoping to quickly find their footing. Can Venus finally break her losing streak? While it won’t be a straightforward win, Venus should find a way through a seesaw battle.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Jakub:
A match very hard to call as neither player participated in any lead-up tournaments, so they haven’t played on grass since 2019. Williams has only won four matches since the start of 2020, but Wimbledon is a great opportunity for a last hurrah for the 41-year-old. It’s only been four years since Venus Williams was a finalist at Wimbledon, and the crowd will most definitely be on her side.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
