Three third-round picks from Wimbledon today, and there's at least one result here that could turn a few heads. We've got a potential upset in the top half and a couple of matches that could go either way on grass. Let's get into it.
WTA Wimbledon Predictions
Amanda Anisimova vs Madison Keys
Head-to-head: Anisimova 1-0 Keys
Anisimova is the higher seed and has been playing well enough to justify that ranking, but Keys on grass is a different proposition from Keys on hard courts. She's always been dangerous here, and her flat, heavy ball doesn't give opponents time to settle into the kind of comfortable rhythm Anisimova likes. Their only previous meeting went Anisimova's way, but grass tends to compress margins and reward aggression and Keys has plenty of that.
This feels like one of those matches where the scoreline could be deceptive. Keys takes it in three.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Elise Mertens vs Elena Rybakina
Head-to-head: Mertens 1-7 Rybakina
That head-to-head tells you everything. Mertens grabbed one win in eight tries, and Rybakina on grass is about as close to unplayable as it gets on tour right now. Her serve alone, arguably the best in the women's game, is worth a set and a half, and Mertens doesn't have the pace to hurt her from the back of the court. Rybakina cruises.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Sorana Cirstea vs Linda Noskova
Head-to-head: Cirstea 3-2 Noskova
Cirstea leads the head-to-head and she's no stranger to making deep runs at Wimbledon, so don't dismiss her here. That said, Noskova's game has developed a lot since some of those earlier meetings, and her big serve and flat groundstrokes are well-suited to grass. Cirstea will make it uncomfortable and push this to three sets, I think, but Noskova has enough in her game to get through, all things considered.
Prediction: Noskova in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Rob Prange/AFP7 via ZUMA Wire