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Wimbledon: Women’s Predictions, Day Five

By Clinton Trueman

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July 1, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Serena Williams (USA) celebrates recording match point in her match against Timea Babos (HUN) on day three of The Championships Wimbledon at the AELTC. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Wimbledon 2015: Women’s Match Analyses and Predictions for Day Five

Day Five of Wimbledon 2015 promises an array of much meatier matches than the first four days, as seeds are scheduled to meet for the first time (although the carnage of the women’s draw means that only two seed will be meeting today). Here’s a look at some of today’s top matches.

Top Matches to Watch

Serena Williams [1] vs. Heather Watson

The title favourite vs. the home favourite. The former has been zoned in this week, obviously still haunted by her early departures here in the last two years. Treating each match like a final, Serena has been bellowing affirmations to herself and willing herself to victory. Her performances perhaps haven’t reached the lofty heights of her best showings here, but they’ve been solid enough to see her cruise into the third round. And if she maintains her standard of play, she’ll be quickly marching her way towards a fourth round encounter with sister Venus (hopefully).

It’s hard to see Watson putting too much of a fight here. The last time she made the round of 32 here, Watson was the subject of a drubbing at the hands of Agnieszka Radwanska.  Watson has a tendency to overhit and spray errors across the court, especially in high pressure situations. Although she plays an aggressive and penetrating game, she just doesn’t play it to the same standard as the world number one. Expect the Wimbledon crowd to be disappointed when Serena and Watson are exchanging pleasantries at the net after a straight sets encounter.

Prediction: Serena in 2.

Aleksandra Krunic vs. Venus Williams [16]

With Serena a likely victor in her match today, a win here for Venus would be the final step towards the Williams sisters’ grand slam meeting that tennis fans have been waiting for with bated breath. However, Serbian Krunic presents a danger to the long awaited fantasy matchup. Taking on Errani in the second round Krunic was hitting winners left, right and centre, sending a message to any potential opponents that she’s a difficult out despite a lack of seeding. And Krunic does have experience going deep into grand slam draws, having made the fourth round of the US Open last year.

Meanwhile, Venus has been playing outstanding tennis, with a solid win against the always dangerous Yulia Putintseva in the second round. It would be ridiculous to bet against Venus in this match, but there is certainly upset potential here. Expect Venus to win here, but don’t be surprised if Krunic provides a stern challenge.

Prediction: Venus in 3.

Sloane Stephens vs. Lucie Safarova [6]

Isn’t it great to see Stephens back in the form that took her deep into the Wimbledon draw 2 years ago? Stephens has had a breezy run through to the third round, with her penchant for winners and minimised errors helping her dismantle Barbora Strycova and Lauren Davis. Her win against Davis was particularly impressive given Stephens’ poor head to head record against her.

Safarova’s path has been slightly more tumultuous, as she nearly fell in the first round to Alison Riske after a smorgasbord of unforced errors. Her second round performance was much cleaner and suggested that the Czech had settled into the tournament after nearly succumbing to the pressure of meeting the expectations of being a top ten player and grand slam finalist.

Stephens appears to be in the better, or at least more consistent, form. On the other hand, Safarova has the more multidimensional game that, at its best, will transcend Stephens’ best. Their last match was a competitive affair in Dubai last year, but both players are in much better form this year. It’s a toss up, but I’m going to say that Stephens will use her newfound consistency to grind out the win against the French Open finalist and return to the second week of Wimbledon.

Prediction: Stephens in 3.

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The Best of the Rest

Maria Sharapova [4] vs. Irina Camelia-Begu [29]

Although Begu’s had a strong week here, it’s likely to end here. After a great win over the rising Daria Gavrilova, the Romanian took out Lesia Tsurenko in a marathon three setter. But as strong as she’s been, Sharapova’s been better. The Russian has cruised through her first two matches, and should do so here based on her decisive drubbing of Begu in their only previous meeting. With a pounding serve and groundstrokes, Begu has a big game. But it’s a game that Sharapova also plays, and one that she’s better at.

Prediction: Sharapova in 2.

Zarina Diyas vs. Andrea Petkovic [14]

Petkovic and Diyas have met twice this year, playing in consecutive weeks at Dubai and Doha. Each claimed a victory against the other among the two tight matches. Diyas has played well this week, taking out the 24th seed Flavia Pennetta. Meanwhile, Petkovic had a stunning first round victory that she followed up with a solid, if not spectacular display in the second round. Like their previous meetings, this match will rest on the much more aggressive Petko’s racket. If she plays a loose match and sprays a bunch of errors, Diyas will win. If she plays a clinical and aggressive match, the German will take it. She’s been a quality player this week, so I’m going with Petko.

Prediction: Petkovic in 3.

Coco Vandeweghe vs. Sam Stosur [22]

Two big servers. Two big hitters. It would be safe to assume that both would have had ample success at Wimbledon over the years. But this round of 32 appearance is the deepest that either player has ever gone into the Wimbledon draw. In order to reach a maiden spot in the second week of this tournament, Stosur will need to avenge her loss to Vandeweghe in the Australian Open earlier this year. Coco’s serving performance in Melbourne was phenomenal, as it has been throughout the past week. Much like the Vandeweghe vs. Pliskova match, whoever has the superior serving performance will take the win. Stosur’s played some great stuff this week, proving that she is capable of playing her game on the grass. However, Coco’s been outstanding. Based only on form, I’ll take Coco for this one.

Prediction: Vandeweghe in 3.

Other Matches:

Kristina Mladenovic vs. Victoria Azarenka [23]

Prediction: Vika in 3.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands vs. Belinda Bencic [30]

Prediction: Mattek-Sands in 3.

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