Wimbledon Tennis 2018: Women’s Pre-Quarters Preview and Analysis.

With Simona Halep going out to Su-Wei Hseih, Venus Williams to Kiki Bertens, Madison Keys to Elina Rodina, the number 7 Karolina Pliskova is now the highest seed remaining after the 3rd round of the women’s draw at Wimbledon.

 

Pre-quarters lined up in the top half of the women’s draw at Wimbledon.

Su-Wei Hsieh is 0-2 against Cibulkova, and their last meeting at the Australian Open in 2017 was a close 6-4, 7-6 (8) affair in Cibulkova’s favor. Dominika Cibulkova is a quaterfinalist here and also has a point to prove as she was knocked off the seeding scale when Serena was seeded 25 in the draw. While Cibulka has dispatched the number 15 seeded Elise Mertens and 22 seeded Johanna Konta, Su-Wei Hsieh, however, buoyed by her win over Simona Halep and could take Cibulkova down in the Wimbledon pre-quarters.

Conclusion: Dominika Cibulkova in three.

 

Jelena Ostapenko versus Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

The 12th ranked Jelena Ostapenko plays Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the pre-quarters and is 2-0 against her. Ostapenko beat, the 24 years old, Belarusian in the first round at Wimbledon last year and is expected to win the pre-quarters against her in 2018. Sasnovich, however, took out the favorite and two time winner, Petra Kvitova and backed that with a win over Daria Gavrilova.

Conclusion: Aliaksandra Sasnovich in three.

 

Van Uytvank versus Daria Kasatkina.

Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium beat the defending champion Garbine Muguruza in the second round and then Anett Kontaveit in the third to face the 14th ranked Daria Kasatkina in the pre-quarters of Wimbledon 2018. Kasatkina has become a consistent performer at the WTA and beat Uytvanck on the grass in Eastbourne last month. Kasatkina stands a reasonably good chance at winning the second meeting in the Wimbledon pre-quarters between them.

Conclusion: Kasatkina in straight.

 

Belinda Bencic versus Angelique Kerber.

Belinda Bencic is finally coming into her own after a wrist surgery last year and a foot injury in 2018. The pre-quarters between Belinda Bencic and the 11th ranked Angelique Kerber promises to thrill as both Bencic and Kerber have been playing well and are hungry to win. Bencic dispatched the 6th seeded Caroline Garcia and holds the winning 3-0 record against Kerber, but all her wins over Kerber came on the hard courts and Kerber will be eager to score her first win over Bencic in Wimbledon this year.

Conclusion: Angelique Kerber in three.

 

Pre-Quarters in the lower half of the women’s draw at Wimbledon.

Kiki Bertens beat Venus Williams in the third round and will now face the ace machine Karolina Pliskova in the pre-quarters. Karolina Pliskova, is the only top-ten remaining in the draw and leads Bertens 2-1 in their H2H. 

Conclusion: Karolina Pliskova in two.

Julia Goerges versus Donna Vekic.

The always dangerous Julia Goerges will take on Donna Vekic in the pre-quarters. Vekic is a good grass court campaigner and has ousted Sloane Stephens and Yanina Wickmayer here. Vekic is also leading in the ace count here and will be tough to contain if her serves continue to find their spots. Julia Goerges, on the other hand, dispatched Monica Puig and Barbara Strycova here too earn the pre-quarters berth. Goerges leads 1-0 in their head-to-head, but Vekic is a little better on the grass.

Conclusion: Donna Vekic in three.

 

Evgeniya Rodina versus Serena Williams.

Serena Williams has not been playing particularly well at this Wimbledon so far. Her last match against Kristina Mladenovic was a close 7-5, 7-6 (6) and she, like so many times in the past, willed her way to victory. Evgeniya Rodina and Williams have never played each other, Serena’s aura, however, should win her the match against Rodina.

Conclusion: Serena Williams in three.

 

Camila Giorgi versus Ekaterina Makarova.

Camila Giorgi beat Katerina Siniakova in three to earn a meeting with Ekaterina Makarova who took out Caroline Wozniacki in the second and Lucie Safarova in her pre-quarters. Makarova and Giorgi have never played each-other before, but Makarova, we believe, should win the first outing between them.

Conclusion: Ekaterina Makarova in three.