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, Emma Navarro vs Qiang Wang, Naomi Osaka vs Diane Parry, Mirra Andreeva vs Brenda Fruhvirtova, 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
Jasmine Paolini vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Jordan:
Paolini had a run to the semifinal in Eastbourne in her first tournament since reaching the French Open final. Sorribes Tormo is a decent player on all surfaces, but she is unlikely to overcome the Italian. Paolini will get time to unload on her powerful forehand regularly against Sorribes Tormo’s gritty style. Defending against that on grass will be tough for the Spaniard.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Steen:
24-12 on the season and a semifinalist in Eastbourne, Paolini has been solid after reaching the Roland Garros final, while Sorribes Tormo is just 9-16 on the season. Anything is possible and the Spanish player is not a slouch on grass, but if fit and firing Paolini is going to be a tough opponent for anyone in this draw.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Yesh:
Paolini is fresh off a French Open final and some wins on the grass. Six weeks ago I’d have leaned to the Spaniard in this match on grass. Today? Paolini wins easily.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Varvara Gracheva vs Lesia Tsurenko
Jordan:
Neither player has had much preparation for Wimbledon. Gracheva lost one qualifying match in Birmingham, while Tsurenko has not played any matches on grass so far this year. Tsurenko retired from her last match at the French Open and hopefully will be physically ready for this contest. But playing no previous matches on grass makes Gracheva a slight favorite.
Prediction: Gracheva in 2
Steen:
Gracheva has fallen off since last season. The good thing for her is that her opponent Tsurenko has fallen off after an excellent 2023 as well. Given the surface Tsurenko feels like a slight favorite but anything is possible.
Prediction: Tsurenko in 2
Yesh:
Tsurenko is probably a better player, though I’m not convinced she’ll be on Tour much longer. Her game is better for the grass, so assuming she’s healthy and ready to play, I’ll lean towards her.
Prediction: Tsurenko in 3
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Linda Noskova vs Sara Errani
Jordan:
Grass is not the surface Noskova is most comfortable on, despite her hard-hitting style. However, it would be a major surprise if she lost to Errani. The 37-year-old has been least comfortable on grass throughout her career and is also far past her prime. Noskova’s power will be too much to cope with.
Prediction: Noskova in 2
Steen:
Errani is 37; Noskova is 19. Noskova has been great for two years and is now ranked in the Top 30–this is a young player competing at the highest levels of the WTA Tour weekly. Errani comes off an ITF grass court semi but hasn’t been a major factor on tour in many years, and Noskova’s moment is arriving now.
Prediction: Noskova in 2
Yesh:
Errani does not like grass at all. And while she sometimes still has performances that remind the Tour about her past greatness, it’s not going to happen at SW19.
Prediction: Noskova in 2
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Victoria Azarenka vs Sloane Stephens
Jordan:
There will undoubtedly be many impressive baseline exchanges between these two former Grand Slam champions. The difference is I trust Azarenka more to retain her level throughout the match. On grass in particular, Stephens often goes through spells where she loses her rhythm, which she cannot afford against Azarenka.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Steen:
A former Wimbledon semifinalist with an excellent grass court record, a semifinal in Berlin and a 24-11 record on the season, the veteran Azarenka is back intimidating many of her opponents with her great form and menacing game. Stephens at 18-16 on the season has played well; she’s a former Wimbledon quarterfinalist with a great grass court record. This match will likely be one way traffic for Azarenka, but Stephens would have beaten many opponents in this draw.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Yesh:
Azarenka has moments where she appears like her past elite status, but so does Stephens. Azarenka’s are more common, though. And she’s always liked grass better.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports