Predicted Winners in BOLD

Stadium (11 a.m. start)

[2] Karolina Pliskova (CZE) vs. [15] Barbora Strycova (CZE) – Pliskova clean striking and height allow for her to dictate play with great frequency.  If she dictates play here, as I expect she will, she wins.

[6] Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) vs. [12] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) – Both seem to be playing some of their best tennis of the past 6 months.  I think Wozniacki’s new hitting partner is paying dividends.

[7] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) vs. [11] Venus Williams (USA) – This clash of veterans with multiple majors should be a lot of fun for fans.  I slightly lean toward Venus.

Grandstand

[1] Angelique Kerber (GER) vs. [Q] Risa Ozaki (JPN) – Kerber as the #1 seed playing on the Grandstand is a bit odd.  

Court 1

[4] Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) vs. Lucie Safarova (CZE) – Safarova’s variety may help her spring an upset.

[26] Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) vs. [WC] Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) – Two of the easiest platers to root for face off.

[10] Johanna Konta (GBR) vs. Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) – Konta is flying under the radar.