Wimbledon 2024 Day 1: Women's singles predictions ft. Karolina Pliskova vs Diana Shnaider, Peyton Stearns vs Daria Saville
The tennis carnival now shifts to the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, which begins on Monday (July 1). The top players on tour will battle it out for the iconic trophy in London with 2000 ranking points on offer.
The first day of Wimbledon will feature the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Emma Raducanu and Karolina Pliskova in action. Former World No. 1 Pliskova was one win away from lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish in 2021. She will be determined to set the tone early this time around and make a significant impact at Wimbledon.
Without further ado, let's take a look at some of the interesting match-ups lined up on Day One in London.
Karolina Pliskova vs Diana Shnaider
World No. 42 Karolina Pliskova will take on World No. 47 Diana Shnaider in the first round of the Wimbledon Championships. The head-to-head between the duo is poised at 0-0 as they've never faced each other on the main tour.
Both players will enter Wimbledon on the back of strong results on tour. While Pliskova secured a runner-up finish in Nottingham, Shnaider captured her first title of the year at the Bad Homburg Open in Germany.
Considering their record on grass and recent results on the tour, the London crowd can expect a close contest in the first round. Pliskova's experience should see her edge past the Russian.
Pick: Pliskova to win in three-sets.
Jasmine Paolini vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
French Open runner-up Jasmine Paolini will take on Sara Soribbes Tormo in the first round of the Wimbledon Championships. The head-to-head between the duo is locked at 1-1. Paolini won their most recent encounter in the 2023 Palermo Ladies Open 7-6(6), 6-0.
Paolini has been one of the most in-form players on the women's tour this year. She captured her first WTA 1000 title at the Dubai Tennis Championships and also reached her maiden Grand Slam final in Paris. The Italian should be able to solve this riddle against Soribbes Tormo.
Pick: Jasmine Paolini to win in straight sets
Mirra Andreeva vs Linda Fruhvirtova
Talented youngster Mirra Andreeva will take on Linda Fruhvirtova in the first round of the Wimbledon Championships. The head-to-head between the duo is locked at 0-0 as they've never faced each other on tour.
Andreeva has been a breath of fresh air on the women's tour this year. She reached the fourth round of the 2024 Australian Open and was two wins away clinching the title at the French Open. She has a solid record on grass and will be determined to make a deep run this year.
Fruhvirtova, on the contrary, has struggled to make an impact this year. Her best result on tour has been a second round appearance in the Australian Open, where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka. Considering their current form, Andreeva should be able to pass this test.
Pick: Andreeva to win in straight-sets.
Marta Kostyuk vs Rebecca Sramkova
In form Ukranian Marta Kostyuk will take on Rebecca Sramkova in the first round of the Wimbledon Championships. The head-to-head between the duo is poised at 0-0.
Kostyuk has silenced her critics with impressive performances this year. She secured runner-up finishes in San Diego and Stuttgart and also reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
Sramkova, meanwhile, has shown glimpses of her top potential with a quarterfinal run in the Italian Open. Despite a spirited effort against Jelena Ostapenko, she lost to the Lativian in a close three-set bout.
Kostyuk's strong results this year will tilt the tie in her favor in London. Her versatile all-around game should test Sramkova's weaknesses on grass.
Pick: Kostyuk to win in three sets.
Peyton Stearns vs Daria Saville R1: Wimbledon Championships
World No. 59 Peyton Stearns will take on World No. 82 Daria Saville in the first round of the Wimbledon Championships. The head-to-head between the pair is poised at 0-0 as they've never faced each other on tour.
Both players have made a decent start to the season so far. While Stearns captured her first title on clay in Morocco, Saville reached the semifinals of the Hobart International and quarterfinals of the San Diego Open.
Considering their record on grass and previous results at Wimbledon, Saville will be a slight favorite to come out on top. She should be able to dig deep and begin her campaign with a win.
Pick: Saville to win in three-sets.