Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina headline a stacked third round at Wimbledon, while Dayana Yastremska looks to continue her destructive form. Our panelists offer their predictions for every match on Day 6.
Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins
Ilemona: Swiatek faced her first real test against McNally, dropping the opening set before settling into a better rhythm. Collins hasn’t lost more than four games in a set so far and brings her usual intensity to the court. Swiatek leads their head-to-head 8–2, but Collins has the kind of power that can make things uncomfortable if she starts fast.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Jordan: Collins defeated Swiatek less than two months ago on clay in Rome. Although beating the Pole on her best surface must have given Collins confidence, I think Swiatek will win this. She is playing the best grass-court tennis of her career, and seems to be thriving more with lower expectations after a difficult previous 12 months.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Steen: Collins has the power to trouble Swiatek, and she’s beaten her recently despite the lopsided 7-2 h2h overall, but Swiatek’s grass game has quietly matured, she reached the final in Germany prior to this tournament. She’s moving well and hitting with more margin, although the match against McNally was close. Unless Collins plays a near-perfect match like she did in the first two rounds, the top seed should advance in a battle
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Elena Rybakina vs Clara Tauson
Ilemona: Rybakina has eased through the draw with her usual clean serving and baseline control. Tauson’s coming off a gritty win over Kalinskaya and will need to step up the aggression here. Their only previous meetings have been tight, and if Tauson can hang in the rallies, this might be closer than expected.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Jordan: There will be much powerful hitting in this contest. Rybakina’s serve and baseline consistency on grass is superior to the Dane’s. The 2022 champion will win this if she plays near her best.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Steen: Rybakina is one of the most dangerous players on grass when she’s locked in. Tauson’s heavy game can bother players on this surface, but she won’t get many looks if Rybakina serves like she has been. Tauson is 26-13 on the season, but had some tricky early matches in London. Rybakina hasn’t dropped a set and is 31-12 on the year.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro vs Dayana Yastremska
Ilemona: Bouzas Maneiro has shown poise beyond her experience, backing up her first-round win with a solid follow-up. Yastremska blasted past Gauff and edged Zakharova, showing no signs of slowing down. If she keeps swinging freely, this could be a tough one for Bouzas Maneiro to manage.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Jordan: Yastremska’s round 2 victory in a deciding set tiebreak was the most dramatic women’s match of this year’s Wimbledon so far. Bouzas Maneiro will try to dictate the rallies with her forehand. I think the Spanish could feel rushed by Yastremska’s powerful hitting, especially in backhand-to-backhand rallies. That might prove decisive.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Steen Kirby: Yastremska is streaky, but when she’s on, she can hit anyone off the court, and she’s coming into this match off a narrow second round win. Bouzas Maneiro’s composure has been impressive, but this is a different level of aggression to handle, and on this surface, she’s at a disadvantage. JBM is just 15-13 on the season, Yastremska made the Nottingham final and hasn’t suffered any early exits on grass these weeks. Prediction: Yastremska in 2
Belinda Bencic vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Ilemona: Bencic has played smart, efficient tennis in her first two matches despite a long layoff before the tournament. Cocciaretto is coming off a couple of big wins over Pegula and Volynets and will be full of belief. Their only meeting was on clay, but if Bencic stays consistent off both wings, her court sense could give her an edge here.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Jordan: Bencic’s baseline style with a particularly good backhand is similar to Jessica Pegula’s, who Cocciaretto beat in the opening round. The Italian’s level in the opening two rounds would likely be good enough to win. However, Cocciaretto is usually very inconsistent. I feel like a drop in her level might occur against Bencic, who is usually steady in matches.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Steen: Cocciaretto has put together some big wins this week including the Pegula upset, but Bencic is reading the court well and has a more reliable game most matches. If Bencic keeps the points short and stays efficient, she’ll get through this. Cocciaretto’s streaky form has her at 10-14 on the season including a semifinal in Den Bosch, Bencic’s 21-10 record is better, but she’s never excelled on grass.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
