Karolina Pliskova takes on Yanina Wickmayer in the first round on the first day of Wimbledon action. Their match is pending arrangement but is expected to be completed by Monday.
The Czech is coming into the Championships having just completed Eastbourne on Saturday. With just a day of rest, it would be interesting to see how Pliskova would fare against the Belgian.
Pliskova’s grass exploits
The 15th seed has been rampant during the grass season, winning one singles title and adding a double to it as well. Her first title for the year, and also her first on grass, came at Nottingham where she had to tough it out against Alison Riske but eventually came through in straight sets. That win seemed to have taken a toll on the Czech who then traveled to Birmingham but was ousted by her compatriot Barbora Strycova in the first round.
Ironically she had partnered Strycova for the doubles that week and they went on to lift their first doubles trophy defeating Vania King and Alla Kudryavtseva. The Czech though did not stop there going on to Eastbourne where she reached the finals. In the blustery conditions, it was not to be her day though as Dominika Cibulkova outplayed her to claim the Eastbourne title.
Her results at Wimbledon have not been reflective of someone who seems one on grass. Pliskova’s best result have only been making it to the second round where she lost the previous three times. She would be looking to improve on that given the strong start she has made on grass this year.
Wickmayer’s threat
The Belgian on the other hand has not been as rampant as grass as her opponent. Wickmayer also took part in the same tournaments as Pliskova but went out in the first rounds at both Nottingham and Eastbourne. Her best result came at Birmingham where she progressed all the way to the quarterfinals but just came up short against eventual semifinalist Coco Vandeweghe. It was a decent run for the Belgian who is ranked 46th in the world.
Her peak years may have passed her as she started this year with not as impressive results. She is 13-17 but seems to have found a certain affinity on grass. At Wimbledon, she is 8-8 with her best result being a fourth-round finish in 2011. Her most recent result was a lost in the first round.
Head-to-head
They have met thrice before with the Czech winning the last of the two, in Montreal in 2014 and last year in Prague en route to claiming her title. Though it must be noted that the pair has not clashed on grass before and this will be their first time.
Analysis
It would be an interesting battle between both the lanky ladies. Pliskova boasts a mean serve and Wickmayer isn’t so bad herself. Both come into Wimbledon with sufficient grass court warm-ups though it might be a disadvantage for the Czech who will not be as well rested as her opponent.
Wickmayer who was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2014 is slowly getting back to her feet and getting decent results, especially on grass. Though she is not how she was at her peak in 2010, she may give Pliskova an issue or two. Her best chance would be to make the Czech move around in the hopes to tire her out. As for Pliskova, she would want to shrug off Saturday' s loss to start strong and not go out in another disappointing early round loss in a Slam.
Prediction: Pliskova in two sets