It promises to be an entertaining day of quarterfinal action at Wimbledon with two intriguing matches on the slate and the considerable prize of a place in the semifinals at the All England Club on offer. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for both matches, as well as the quarterfinal action in the men’s singles, but who will book their spot in the last four?
Wimbledon Women’s Quarterfinal Predictions
Elena Rybakina vs Elina Svitolina
Jim: It has been some tournament for Elina Svitolina, particularly in light of recent developments in her homeland. She has dropped just one set so far and has played some imperious tennis, not least in beating Ons Jabeur, a finalist in SW19 in 2022 and 2023. But as well as she has played, this might prove to be a challenge too far for the Ukrainian. When she is on song, Elena Rybakina can be almost unplayable on a grass court and Svitolina’s natural game probably won’t do enough to disrupt the Kazakh’s rhythm.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Jordan: Understandably, the 2022 champion Rybakina is considered by many to be the favourite to win the title, especially she since she is the highest seed left in the draw. But I am backing Svitolina to cause an upset. The Ukrainian, who has been broken less times during the tournament so far than Rybakina, is serving better than at any other point during her career. That is key against Rybakina, since Svitolina will get fewer chances on return than usual. But if she serves well again, her ability to redirect power from the baseline could get her over the line.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
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Ateet: Rybakina is the heavy favourite to win the title now and it will be interesting to see whether she will thrive under that pressure or succumb to it. But Rybakina is the favourite for a reason, and the dynamics of this matchup favour her. But Svitolina has looked great so far and her defense, mixed with her ability to dictate will give her a chance. Rybakina will have to be at her best level on serve to win this and I think she will.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Rachel: Svitolina was emotional in her post-match interview after dispatching Wang in the fourth round, a black ribbon on her shirt referencing Monday’s deadly Russian attack on a children’s hospital in Ukraine. As has been the case since the Russian invasion of her home country, Svitolina will be playing for more than victory on a tennis court when she faces-off against 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina.
It will be their fifth career meeting. They are currently tied at two matches apiece, with Rybakina posting a straight-sets victory in their most recent encounter, on clay in Rome this year. I expect Svitolina to step on court with purpose and eager to match or better her results from last year when she fell in the semis to eventual champion Marketa Vondrousova.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Jelena Ostapenko vs Barbora Krejcikova
Jim: Jelena Ostapenko, like Rybakina, will likely take some stopping. The Latvian is amongst the biggest hitters the women’s game has seen and whilst she does not always temper her power with accuracy, when she is painting the lines she is a formidable opponent indeed.
But Barbora Krejcikova has plenty of tricks of her own and looks to have found her feet on the grass after several years of underperformance at Wimbledon. The Czech will need to be wary about getting into too many forehand-to-forehand exchanges, but if she can bring her sliced backhand into play and attack the net, she might just be able to unsettle Ostapenko.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 3
Jordan: It will be tough for anyone to stop Ostapenko if she keeps playing at the level of her first four rounds. But Krejcikova showed the right strategy to use in her previous round against Danielle Collins. She stood slightly further back in the court than normal, and made great use of the slice to disrupt the American’s rhythm. The Czech has slipped a little under the radar so far, but I have a feeling she will end that by frustrating Ostapenko enough with her variety to claim victory.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 3
Ateet: Two former French Open champions meet at Wimbledon quarterfinals. Ostapenko has been tearing down her opponents round by round whereas Krejcikova has silently progressed through to here when not many people had high expectations from her. Krejcikova’s slices and defense were brilliant against Danielle Collins.
Ostapenko also likes pace on the ball and Krejcikova will look to adopt a similar strategy. Their meeting in the Birmingham final last year produced one of the best sets of grass tennis I’ve seen in years. The level was extraordinarily high as both served and played to their maximum. This could go either way, but I expect Ostapenko’s firepower to prevail.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Rachel: Ostapenko has dropped just 15 games enroute to the quarterfinals, her best result since 2018. Her trademarks – impeccable timing and incredible powers of anticipation, efficient movement around the court and easy power – make her a sight to behold in full flight and a nightmare for opponents. Before breaking through to win the French Open in 2021, Krejcikova was largely known as a doubles specialist.
It’s no surprise then that her game features a tricky serve, and the ability to mix up spins and angles. The match up will test Ostapenko’s shot tolerance and will force her to play patient, smart tennis. Krejcikova will be eager to reach the semis of a grand slam since struggling over the past couple of years, but if Ostapenko can play with her newfound controlled aggression, I predict she’ll get the job done.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
