We conclude the men’s and women’s second rounds on Day 4 at Wimbledon. 32 women will battle for a spot in the third round, and only 16 will emerge. Who do you think will move on at the All-England Club? As always, our writers share their thoughts on the matches. We split up the day’s 16 matches between four articles, including this one. The other three feature Paula Badosa vs Irina Bara, Bianca Andreescu vs Elena Rybakina, and Iga Swiatek vs Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove. Predicting Thursday’s matches are Jakub Bobro, Damian Kust, and Andy Watson.
Wimbledon Day 4 Women’s Predictions
Harriet Dart vs Jessica Pegula
Jakub:
Dart is looking to repeat her third round here from 2019 and started well with a strong win over Rebeka Masarova. Pegula did well to defeat a potentially dangerous opponent in Donna Vekic, taking the Croat out in straight sets. I trust the American to win again here and get to the third round here for the first time in her career.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Damian:
Interestingly, the two started their campaigns on Wednesday (due to rain), but both took their matches in straight sets to avoid any fatigue concerns. Harriet Dart is coming off a brilliant grass season and can raise her game in front of the home crowd, but she might not have the weaponry to dispatch Jessica Pegula.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Andy:
The seeded American is going to have to be on her game here. The Brit has had an excellent grass court season and will present a very difficult test for the 8th seed. I am going to predict an upset here with Dart edging out Pegula in a close match.
Prediction: Dart in 3
Catherine Harrison vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Jakub:
Harrison is doing great at her Slam debut, never even playing qualifying before. The American has not lost a single set in her last four matches, now also beating Arantxa Rus. Tomljanovic made a very strong start here, dropping just five games against Jil Teichmann. I expect the former quarterfinalist to end Harrison’s run here.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 2
Damian:
Catherine Harrison is on quite the run, qualifying and taking the first round without losing a set. She’s turned out to be a grass-court natural, but the rise in the level of competition that she’s facing here might turn out to be too much. Ajla Tomljanovic made the quarterfinals here last year and looked very dangerous in her opener vs Jil Teichmann.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 2
Andy:
The Aussie has a game that seems to come to life when on the grass. I suspect that Harrison will struggle with the attack coming off both wings of Tomljanovic and the Aussie will make the third round here again.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 2
Sara Sorribes Tormo vs Harmony Tan
Jakub:
Tan pulled off the biggest win of her life, defeating Serena Williams after a three-hour battle. Sorribes Tormo will be a very different challenge for the Frenchwoman with her playing style. The Spaniard beat Christina McHale 6-2 6-1 and should be the favorite here as well.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Damian:
Harmony Tan is coming off the biggest win of her career and played some gutsy tennis under pressure to dispatch Serena Williams. However, it doesn’t seem too repeatable as the Frenchman will be involved in plenty of lengthy rallies with Sara Sorribes Tormo here. She might lack the tools to get out of the Spaniard’s comfort zone.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Andy:
Tan will have made people sit up and take notice of her with that huge win over Serena Williams on Centre Court. However, I think that this will be a classic case of “After the Lord Mayor’s” show for Tan and she will struggle to reach the heights of the previous match. Indeed, Sorribes Tormo is possibly a better player than Williams right now so it’ll still be a tough test.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Simona Halep vs Kirsten Flipkens
Jakub:
Halep did not let the tricky Karolina Muchova trouble her in the first round, dropping just five games to the Czech. In her final singles tournament of her career, Flipkens got a win over Jaimee Fourlis and will now likely get a send-off on a bigger court. The Belgian has not won a single set in five previous matches with Halep and I don’t see that changing now.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Damian:
Kirsten Flipkens is wrapping up her career after the 2022 Wimbledon and will be very motivated to give a good showing here. Simona Halep should be a bit too strong here, but watch out for the Belgian utilizing her slice and all-court tactics to try to disrupt her rhythm.
Prediction: Halep in 3
Andy:
The veteran Belgian still has a good grass court game but Halep’s own grass skills are often underrated. Halep still has that excellent movement and shots to match.
Prediction: Halep in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
