One day of play is in the books at Wimbledon. There are another 32 women’s matches taking place on Day 2, and we are here to predict the best five on the day. Predicting today are writers David Adair, Manuel Traquete, and Jay Sandhu, along with editor Yesh Ginsburg.
Wimbledon Day 2 Women’s Predictions
Su-wei Hsieh vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Jay:
Despite her age, Hsieh has had an amazing year so far. She has the game to annoy a big hitter like Pavlyuchenkova and can also absorb her power and pace. The Russian has had mixed results throughout the year and I doubt she will have the consistency to hit past Hsieh. It will be close, but the Taiwanese player should win.
Prediction: Hsieh in 3
David:
This is a tricky contest; both are potent on their day, but not in great form at the moment. Pavlyuchenkova is 1-2 on grass this season and Hsieh is 2-2. The Chinese Taipei #1 is a dangerous opponent, as Muguruza found to her cost in the Australian Open. Hsieh turns up for the big occasion. There has been something missing from her Russian opponent for a little while now. I’ll take Hsieh to sneak it.
Prediction Hsieh in 3
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Manuel:
One of the closest R1 matches on paper. The Russian has won both matches between the pair, both on grass, and is the slight favorite to pull through again.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Yesh:
Hsieh showed up big at the Australian Open this year, but Pavlyuchenkova is probably better on clay overall. Probably.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
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Alize Cornet vs Dominica Cibulkova
Jay:
Cornet has had her usual year of pretty average results. She’s a brilliant fighter and defender but Cibulkova is just slightly better at everything. Though her best years are behind her, this should be Cibulkova’s match for the taking.
Prediction: Cibulkova in 2
David:
The “pocket-rocket“ Slovak, Cibulkova will be fired up for this one. Ciblukova was robbed of her seeding due to the controversial move to seed Serena Williams. This leaves her with something to prove. Cibulkova has a fair point in her argument she always gives it her all here. This should be enough to relatively comfortably see of Cornet, not a natural on grass.
Prediction: Cibulkova in 2
Manuel:
It will be the 10th match between the pair, first on grass. Cilbulkova leads 6-3 and grass most likely favors her in this matchup as well.
Prediction: Cibulkova in 2
Yesh:
Cibulkova is angry with the tournament and is going to come out with something to prove. She won’t lose early, even against a tough opponent.
Prediction: Cibulkova in 2
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Danielle Collins vs Elise Mertens
Jay:
Collins had an amazing time at Indian Wells and Miami, but it’s fair to say she has struggled to repeat those results. Mertens has had an amazing year by her standards and needs to remain consistent against her opponent. Though Collins will challenge her, I doubt she will be able to consistently hit past a solid defensive player like Mertens.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
David:
Three titles this year show Mertens’ consistency. She made a roaring start to 2018 and has generally been an eye-catcher on court this season. Collins made her breakthough this season reaching a Premier level semifinal in Miami, losing out only to Ostapenko. That said, Mertens should come through this on grass.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Manuel:
Two young players facing each other for the first time. Collins will have her chances, but it’s Merterns’ match to lose.
Predictions: Merterns in 2
Yesh:
Collins is the far less heralded player, but her run in Miami was something to behold. She seems to love the big occasion, and the fast surface should help her. The dry grass is probably more similar to Miami than to other grass courts.
Prediction: Collins in 2
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Belinda Bencic vs Caroline Garcia
Jay:
After a horrific year last year, Bencic has managed to get her ranking up to a respectable place but still isn’t quite where she used to be. Though Garcia hasn’t improved as much as I thought she would after her breakthrough, she has the power to completely boss this match.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
David:
Garcia, albeit recovering from injury most of the season, has underperformed in 2018. She is capable of so much. Granted, probably not on grass, but she is capable of winning tough matches on the surface. Bencic is 1-2 on grass this year and is struggling to find the form that caused many people to see her as a potential Slam winner a few years ago. Garcia should do this.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Manuel:
Another clash of two young players. Momentum clearly favors Garcia, who has been rising at a meteoric pace lately.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Yesh:
Belinda Bencic jumped into the world’s spotlight a few years back, but has really struggled ever since. Still, the huge potential is there. I think she can pull off the upset of the Frenchwoman.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
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Angelique Kerber vs Vera Zvonareva
Jay:
After an average year last year, Kerber has really stepped it up a gear. She has been more aggressive and will challenge Zvonareva with her pace. Zvonareva hasn’t faced such a high ranked player in such a long time that I think she will struggle against a player that won’t give offer many errors.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
David:
Zvonereva has been a breath of fresh air on tour this season, giving it 100%, including coming through qualifying for Wimbledon. She is an accomplished grass court player with a career 35-15 on grass. This will be no cakewalk for the 2016 finalist. That said, Kerber should have just enough to come through this tricky clash.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Manuel:
Zvonareva is a former Wimbledon finalist, but those days of glory are long gone for the 33-year-old, who is very unlikely to be a threat here.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Yesh:
This looks to be the best match of the second day, by far. Both are talented and each has real potential to go deep with a win. This match should be decided by a hair–Kerber has more talent, but she hasn’t played her best level in quite a while.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
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