Wimbledon 2013: Five first round ladies matches to watch

Bethanie Mattek-Sands v (7) Angelique Kerber (Head-to-head: Mattek-Sands leads 2-0)

Bethanie Mattek-Sands

Google Glass is a much-talked about subject thanks to the American Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Known for her revolutionary and sometimes outrageous fashion sense, Google Glass is the latest addition to Mattek-Sands’ quirkiness. She has been spotted wearing it at almost all of her practice sessions and also at the glamorous WTA Players Party. Will she be wearing it during her first round match too? Doubts remain if the conservative All England Club will give in but there’s no inkling of any doubt that the 28-year-old has been playing some inspiring tennis off late.

At the French Open she erased a difference of 61 places in the rankings and obliterated Li Na from the draw. Will she do the same to the seventh seed Angelique Kerber? The German, a semifinalist last year, has won just one match on the green turf coming into SW19 but most importantly has a 0-2 deficit in their head-to-head match-ups. That is a cause of worry.

Prediction: Mattek-Sands wins in straight sets.

Jamie Hampton v Sloane Stephens (17) (Head-to-head: Tied at 1-1)

Jamie Hampton

Jamie Hampton has become America’s next best hope with her string of consistent results both on clay and grass. She is coming off a remarkable stretch where she reached the French Open fourth round and made it to the Eastbourne summit clash as a qualifier. Her Eastbourne run deservedly catapulted her to No. 25 in the rankings after she showed the door to two former champions – Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki. With a decent movement on the faster surface and her willingness to approach the net when required, the American No. 3 is one of the players to watch.

But she comes up against the American No. 2 Sloane Stephens who scored a resounding victory over Serena at the Australian Open. Nevertheless, Sloane’s lack of practice on the grass might just tilt the balance in favour of her lower ranked compatriot who is coming with a lot of momentum and confidence.

Prediction: Hampton wins in three sets.

Madison Keys v Heather Watson (Head-to-head: First meeting)

This will be an encounter between two players who are close in the rankings – Madison Keys is 52nd and Heather Watson is 56th. But circumstances are vastly different for them as they head into the year’s third Slam. Watson, Great Britain’s former No. 1 had contracted the debilitating glandular fever and she played the French Open after her recovery. She lost in the first round and has been able to post two wins on grass after that. Now happy and healthy, Watson has been optimistic about her chances at her home Slam. But her first round opponent is one she would have liked to avoid as she is still trying to get back her full confidence.

Madison Keys has been one of the best performing youngsters on the Tour this year. With an explosive game that is suited for grass, the fledgling American reached the Birmingham quarter-finals just two weeks back. The British crowd might make the situation a little unsettling for her but it’s a challenge Madison can try and overcome.

Prediction: Keys wins in three sets.