We begin the third round on Day 5 of Wimbledon. On Friday, we will see eight women’s matches to determine who moves on to Round 4. As always, LWOT writers share their thoughts on the matches. We split the eight matches between this and a separate article. Predicting today’s matches are Jakub Bobro, Glenys Furness, and Jim Smith. Who do you think will win?
Wimbledon Day 5 Women’s Predictions
Jelena Ostapenko vs Irina-Camelia Begu
Jakub:
Ostapenko continues to be talked about as a favorite to make the semifinals out of her quarter. The Latvian beat Oceane Dodin in straight sets and put in a focused and strong performance against Yanina Wickmayer. Begu has taken advantage of Martina Trevisan being her seed and makes the third round here with wins over Ekaterine Gorgodze and Elisabetta Cocciaretto. Ostapenko is a big step-up from that opposition.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Glenys:
12th seed Jelena Ostapenko hasn’t been troubled yet so far. The Latvian has eased through to the third round without dropping a set. A semi finalist in 2018 Ostapenko will want to go one better so will be on point with her game. Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu will find the former semi finalist a tough one. Begu, although having reached this far previously, has never gone beyond the third round at Wimbledon. Unfortunately, Begu wont reach the fourth round this year either.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
Jim:
So far, Ostapenko has picked up where she left off in Eastbourne, storming past Oceane Dodin and Yanina Wickmayer in straight sets. Begu has played well too, also winning both of her matches in straight sets, but the power of Ostapenko should be the difference here.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Jule Niemeier vs Lesia Tsurenko
Jakub:
Niemeier dominated the second seed Anett Kontaveit in their second round, dropping just four games. Tsurenko won the second-round Ukrainian derby over Anhelina Kalinina in three sets after beating wildcard Jodie Burrage in her opener. Both players must realize the opportunity at hand here with only fellow unseeded players standing on their way to the quarterfinals. With how well Niemeier played against Kontaveit, I have to pick her.
Prediction: Niemeier in 2
Glenys:
Jule Niemeier stunned second seed Anett Kontaveit in the second round. She broke late in the first set, and then dominated the next. The Estonian seemed out of sorts, but that is to take nothing away from the German who was very impressive. Lesia Tsurenko had a bit of a tougher time to get here. The Ukranian took out her fellow countrywoman and 29th seed in a tough three-set match to make this stage. Neither has been further in Wimbledon, (Niemeier is actually in her first Championships), but Niemeier will back up her stunning 2nd round win.
Prediction: Niemeier in 3
Jim:
What an opportunity this is for one of these two to reach the fourth round at the All England Club. Tsurenko has the advantage in terms of experience, but Niemeier has looked that much sharper than the Ukrainian, not least in her demolition of Anett Kontaveit in the second round. If she can recapture that level, expect her to reach the fourth round.
Prediction: Niemeier in 3
Shuai Zhang vs Caroline Garcia
Jakub:
Zhang got the lucky spot of 33rd seed, moving into a seeded position due to a withdrawal. Zhang has taken advantage, beating Misaki Doi and Marta Kostyuk in straight sets. Garcia had a tough time in the opener, going to a third-set tiebreak against wildcard Yuriko Miyazaki. The Frenchwoman put in a vintage performance in the second-round to take out US Open champion Emma Raducanu. Zhang beat Garcia here in 2019 while also winning their most recent meeting in Lyon semifinals this season and with how up and down Garcia has been, the Chinese player has to be the favorite for me.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
Glenys:
Caroline Garcia has upset the Brits so far. Having battled past Miyazaki (a wild card entry) and then eased by 10th seed Raducanu, the Frenchwomen is having a blast. Garcia has gone as far as the fourth round before and will be hoping to better that. Shuai Zhang is the 33rd seed and so far has made light work of her matches, winning both in straight sets. However, having reached the quarterfinal in 2019, the Chinese women will be desperate to equal that at least. I think Garcia will edge this, though.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Jim:
Garcia is a well-suited to the grass and comes into this match in superb form having won her last seven matches. Will she keep that going against Zhang? The Frenchwoman’s attacking style has to make her the favourite. Particularly because she is the better player in the forecourt.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Ons Jabeur vs Diane Parry
Jakub:
Jabeur has looked like a real contender early on here, making her way past Mirjam Bjorklund and Katarzyna Kawa, dropping just four games in each match. Parry pulled off a nice win over Kaia Kanepi and followed it up by beating Mai Hontama. It’s a nice run for the Frenchwoman but Jabeur is just next level right now.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Glenys:
Ons Jabeur is yet to drop a set. The Tunisian has eased through the first two rounds, and only lost eight games across the four sets. Diane Parry has also not yet lost a set, but had a much tougher route to the third round. An impressive first round against seeded Kanepi was followed up with a much easier match against Hontama. The Frenchwomen will find Jabeur much more of a challenge, and with the form the Tunisian third seed is in, Jabeur will take this.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Jim:
Parry is having a great tournament, but it is hard to see her campaign continuing into the second week. Wins over Kaia Kanepi and Mai Hontama were impressive, but Jabeur marks a real step up in the quality of the opposition. The Tunisian has been unquestionably the second-best player in the world this season and should have too much for the Frenchwoman.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
