The field of 128 has been whittled down to just 32 at Wimbledon, as we are set for the third round of action from London. The big names are still in for the most part (sorry Jessica Pegula), and we're in for what should be a fun week coming up.
Here are my bets for Gauff – Kartal and Navarro – Shnaider in my Wimbledon predictions.
Match times are subject to change. Read here for advice on viewing Wimbledon matches.
Wimbledon Odds & Wimbledon Picks
Coco Gauff (-1429) vs Sonay Kartal (+750)
11:15 a.m. ET
Another day going to one of the chalkier prices on the board, but don't overcomplicate things. Gauff is leagues better than Kartal.
Let's delve into the match just to be reassured that 18.5 games is, in fact, the incorrect total.
Gauff is the No. 2 player in the world in large part to a strong first serve, elite backhand and elite movement, court coverage and defending. In other words, expecting errors from the baseline is not a wise strategic approach when taking her on.
Her weakness? The forehand and the second serve. Kartal doesn't possess the power on the forehand to rush Gauff and she lacks any kind of weapon to really pounce on the second serves to seize control of points and force Gauff to go for more on the second serves, potentially re-igniting her double fault issues.
Kartal has been totally reliant on her opponents' losing the plot from the baseline in her two three set wins to this point. In fact, per the official tournament data, Sorana Cirstea and Clara Burel committed over 100 unforced errors in just 53 games played across six sets. I wouldn't hold my breath for Gauff to be that erratic.
Gauff is more than capable of posting lopsided victories against lesser competition.
Kartal mentioned in her on court interview after her win against Burel that this would be a fun but tough match. I have a feeling she won't be having much fun on court come Friday.
Pick: Under 18.5 games (-104 via BetRivers)
Emma Navarro (-138) vs Diana Shnaider (+110)
6 a.m. ET
I once had an instructor in college that kept repeating the same stories in class, with most of us thinking it was nuts. Turns out, the intent was to reinforce the message behind the story, as they were often important life lessons. So let me do the same. Handicapping tennis is all about matchups.
I've said it before and I'll continue driving that point home. Such is the case here, as Shnaider looks to down an American for the second time in as many matches (she crushed Sloane Stephens last time out).
Problem is, for as well as she's been playing since Bad Homburg, I'm not keen on her in this tilt against Navarro.
The University of Virginia product has raced up the rankings in the last year, has one of the best backhands on tour, has added much more competent front foot tennis to her arsenal and she matches up well with Shnaider and should be prepared for the pace the Russian can unleash.
Last match at Wimbledon Navarro dispatched Naomi Osaka. Now, Osaka isn't the best on grass, where her less-than-stellar footwork and movement are exposed even more, but her power is elite. Yet Navarro dealt with it with aplomb.
Then there's the fact that Shnaider is a lefty. With her power, she'd typically look to play her forehand over the shortest part of the net crosscourt into a righty's backhand to rush them and have them leak error after error. That won't be as easy in this one. Navarro's backhand is her better groundstroke and she's elite at redirecting pace.
I'll take her to beat a Shnaider who can be erratic, has played a lot of tennis and may have trouble hitting through her.
Pick: Navarro ML (-138 via bet365)
