We've got three picks from Wimbledon today, and there's a genuinely interesting mix here. Paolini has some unfinished business after her loss to Eala, Keys and Noskova meet for the first time on grass, and Bouzkova and Mertens have history. So who comes through?
WTA Wimbledon Predictions
Madison Keys vs Linda Noskova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Noskova is ranked higher and has been one of the more exciting young players on tour this year, but grass has a way of flattening those advantages fast, and Keys on this surface is a different player to the one you see on hard courts. Her serve and flat ball-striking are genuinely dangerous on grass and there aren't many players who can comfortably absorb that kind of pace when the court's playing quick.
Noskova will make this competitive, she's got the game to trouble anyone, but Keys is the better grass-court player between the two and I think that carries her through in three.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Jasmine Paolini vs Alexandra Eala
Head-to-head: Paolini 0-1 Eala
Eala leads the head-to-head, which is a fun detail, but that previous meeting wasn't on grass and Paolini is a completely different animal at Wimbledon. She made the final here last year and her movement and touch on this surface are genuinely special for someone her size. Eala is a real talent and deserves her ranking, but asking her to repeat that result at a Grand Slam on a surface where Paolini has proven herself is a big ask.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Marie Bouzkova vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: Bouzkova 2-1 Mertens
Bouzkova leads this one, but Mertens is a smart grass-court player who uses the surface well, and the rankings are close enough that this could genuinely go either way. Mertens has a way of making opponents uncomfortable with her angles and her ability to change pace, and on a surface where the ball stays low and skids through, that tends to work in her favor.
That said, Bouzkova's not without a chance here given their recent history, but Mertens in three feels right to me, all things considered.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
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