The second round begins on Day 3 of Wimbledon, with 16 exciting women’s singles matches on offer. As always, our writers here at LWOT share their thoughts on all of the matches. We split the 16 matches between four articles–the other three feature Aryna Sabalenka vs Marie Bouzkova, Emma Raducanu vs Marketa Vondrousova , and Elina Svitolina vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Yesh Ginsburg, and Manan Mehta. Who do you think will advance?
Wimbledon Day 3 Predictions
Cristina Bucsa vs Donna Vekic
Jordan:
This could be a tough one for Vekic. Bucsa’s flat shots without overwhelming power might disrupt the Croatian’s rhythm, and get her on the move. I still lean towards Vekic, but watch out for this match.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Yesh:
Vekic reached the semifinals here last year, and she looks like she might be finding that form again. She’s not consistent enough to really trust her in the later rounds of big events, but she has more than enough talent to take out someone not fully comfortable on grass herself.
Prediction: Vekic in 2
Manan:
This should be a good match. Two highly inconsistent customers facing each other will bring some good tennis to the courts. Both Busca and Vekic have failed to cross first round hurdles on multiple occasions in recent months. However, Vekic has found a couple of good runs this season and that will keep her motivated to edge Busca here.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Leylah Fernandez vs Laura Siegemund
Jordan:
Fernandez sometimes struggles against variety, and Siegemund has that in abundance. The German’s best chance of beating the 2021 US Open runner-up is on grass. She might just manage it by frustrating Fernandez enough.
Prediction: Siegemund in 3
Yesh:
It’s a bit surprising that Siegemund hasn’t pulled out some stunning runs on grass, because she moves so well on the surface and her game is so suited towards it. On paper this is an upset, but Siegemund feels like a heavy favorite to me.
Prediction: Siegemund in 2
Manan:
Fernandez would be relieved to get off clay and get on grass. She struggled miserably on the dirt and now has found some sort of rhythm on grass to work with. Siegemund has not really been able to make it to the main draw often and might just be a little fragile in front of the Canadian.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
Katerina Siniakova vs Naomi Osaka
Jordan:
Siniakova never getting past the third round of Wimbledon is hard to understand. She has a great game on grass, as shown by her beating Qinwen Zheng for a second time at SW19. Osaka’s power can be formidable on any surface, but grass is Siniakova’s best chance of beating the four-time Grand Slam champion. The Czech will be tough for Osaka to beat if she returns as well as the previous round against Zheng.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Yesh:
Naomi Osaka has never loved the grass. Siniakova, meanwhile, excels on the surface. Her touch at net and her movement on the grass make for a massive warning for Osaka here.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Manan:
With no real results on clay, Siniakova looks an improved player on grass this season. She has a few results to be proud of. Despite an off run post injuries, Osaka still holds the flair and experience to get past second round matches.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Madison Keys vs Olga Danilovic
Jordan:
Keys survived a tight battle with Elena-Gabriela Ruse despite not being at her best. The Australian Open champion might not get away with that against Danilovic, even though grass is not the Serbian’s favorite surface. Keys playing like the first round again seems unlikely, though.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Yesh:
Madison Keys is playing freely after winning the Australian Open earlier this year. I don’t think Danilovic can do anything to trouble the American on this court.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Manan:
Danilovic has produced some decent results in recent events. Her run to Round 3 in the French Open should keep her going here as well. However, World #6 Keys too has had a good season behind her and looks a dominant favorite in this clash.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
