We are going to be treated to 32 great women’s matches on Day 1 of Wimbledon on Monday. We will see players from World #2 Coco Gauff to qualifiers ranked outside the Top 100. As always, we here at LastWordOnTennis will share our thoughts on all of the matches with you. We split the 32 matches between eight articles. Our other articles feature Coco Gauff vs Caroline Dolehide, Victoria Azarenka vs Sloane Stephens, Naomi Osaka vs Diane Parry, Emma Navarro vs Qiang Wang, Aryna Sabalenka vs Emina Bektas, Bianca Andreescu vs Jaqueline Cristian, and Paula Badosa vs Karolina Muchova. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Steen Kirby, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will win?
Wimbledon Day 1 Predictions
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Emma Raducanu
Jordan:
This is one of the worst draws Alexandrova could have gotten as a seeded player. Despite being soundly beaten by the eventual champion Daria Kasatkina in Eastbourne, Raducanu showed what she is capable of by beating Berlin Open champion Jessica Pegula at the same event. This could be one of the tightest battles of the first round. But I feel Raducanu will find a way past Alexandrova’s powerful game.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Steen:
18-17 on the year with a positive record on grass, Alexandrova presents a challenging first round opponent for the British fan favorite Raducanu. Raducanu is 13-9 on the year, she’s respectable on grass but this is a player who is still recovering from injury and battling her way back to a top level. Alexandrova should be the winner despite the will of local fans.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Yesh:
Raducanu was a Grand Slam specialist who hasn’t quite kept up even with that. She’s a Major champion who rarely does well nowadays. It’s baffling, but the potential is still always there. If it’s going to come out again, her home Slam seems as good a place as any.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Elise Mertens vs Nao Hibino
Jordan:
Mertens is usually very solid in the early rounds of Grand Slams. That is likely to continue here against an opponent who does not have the same complete game on grass. Mertens to win in two sets.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Steen:
Winless in her career on grass and struggling this season, Hibino is well off her best level. Mertens is a respectable 18-16 on the season and although she’s not quite an “elite” player this is the match you would expect her to win.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Yesh:
Hibino is a solid player, but not amazing. Mertens is also a solid player, but she’s closer to amazing that Hibino is. And she usually finds her way through Slam early rounds.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
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Arantxa Rus vs Yue Yuan
Jordan:
Neither of these players are comfortable on grass. But this is especially the case for Rus, who has lost her last five matches at Wimbledon. The Dutchwoman is a clay court specialist and she is likely to struggle against Yuan’s shots at SW19.
Prediction: Yuan in 2
Steen:
Yuan is 18-13 on the year, a huge breakthrough season for this player, but she is only 2-6 in her career on grass and will be looking to improve that. Yuan is at a career high Top 40 ranking after a great season at ITF level in 2023 and the momentum is only growing. Rus is 13-20 on the season, the veteran boasts just an 8-19 record on grass in her career, the rising Yuan looks to take advantage of that here.
Prediction: Yuan in 2
Yesh:
Rus is well past her prime, that’s for sure. But she’s also played a lot more on grass than Yuan has. That, in the end, might be what decides this match.
Prediction: Rus in 3
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Mirra Andreeva vs Brenda Fruhvirtova
Jordan:
This is an exciting clash of two young stars in the women’s game. However. I do favor Andreeva a lot more on grass. Her ability to adapt to all surfaces at such a young age is incredible and gives her an advantage in this matchup.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Steen:
Andreeva is 17-9 on the year and reached the semis at Roland Garros. This is a player at a career high ranking at just 17 years of age, Andreeva is the type of player who is showing she has top 10 potential; Fruhvirtova is also 17 years of age and although she has fewer results at WTA level compared to ITF at this stage, both players are promising enough to potentially develop a rivalry if they continue to draw each other in matches like this. For now Andreeva looks further in her development profile so she has a small edge.
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
Yesh:
Brenda is the less polished of the Fruhvirtova sisters, but Linda hasn’t been at her best either. No matter what, though, Mirra Andreeva is too good for them. She’s about to become a star, and Wimbledon is her next step.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports