The intriguing women’s matches to watch on Day 2 at Wimbledon include a meeting between a rising but raw star and a veteran skilled on grass.

Eugenie Bouchard vs. Daniela Hantuchova

When it comes to the Grand Slams, the opening matches for the seeded players are often mere formalities to advancing to the second round.  But in a women’s field that is wide open, no match can be taken for granted.  Eugenie Bouchard would do well to remember that when she takes on veteran Daniela Hantuchova in her first-round encounter at Wimbledon.

At age 20, Bouchard has proven to be one of the most promising prospects of the young crop of upcoming players.  She collected her first professional title on the clay in Nürnberg before Roland Garros, but what has been more impressive are her results at the majors.  She had a breakthrough in Melbourne, where she reached her first major semifinal, and backed it up by matching that feat in Paris, where she pushed eventual champion Maria Sharapova to three sets.  Bouchard is in a tough quarter of the draw to make it three consecutive major semifinals, but she certainly looks poised to build upon her third-round result at Wimbledon from last year.

Hantuchova will be keen to crash the Canadian’s party, however.  The Slovak has put together a respectable 2014 campaign, including a final-16 showing on the grass in Birmingham.  She barely missed receiving a seed for this event, and fans of the game know she is capable of playing top-five level tennis.  Additionally, grass is Hantuchova’s favorite surface and Wimbledon her favorite tournament, so this is one of the best venues for her to turn back the clock and put together a good run.

Still, Bouchard remains the solid favorite.  Although not the greatest mover, Bouchard still moves better than Hantuchova and has the better serve, which is a bigger factor on the grass.  But the real key for Bouchard in this match is to remain steady.  Hantuchova hits flat, penetrating shots and is more than capable of doing damage at the net.  When her game is clicking, she causes trouble for anyone.  But that style of play also makes Hantuchova streaky, and maintaining a high level throughout the course of a match is a big ask.  So, if Bouchard can withstand any storms Hantuchova may wage, she should see herself safely to the second round.

This contest could potentially be one of the popcorn matches in the women’s first round, even though it favors Bouchard.  She has been given a winnable opener and also a match that could also allow her to test herself early.  But Hantuchova has the tools to cause one of the first significant upsets of the Championships. The question is whether she has the belief.

Klara Koukalova vs. Taylor Townsend

Fans of American tennis will surely be tuned in to this battle, where both women have a good look at advancing to the second round.

Koukalova will like her chances of getting there.  The former top-20 player, now ranked just outside the top 30, has produced a solid 2014 season.  She picked up her third WTA title in Florianopolis and has reached two other finals this season.  The Czech also comes into Wimbledon after a quarterfinal finish in Birmingham.  At age 32, she has vastly more experience than her American opponent, and Wimbledon has traditionally been her best major.  Koukalova has reached the third round there in each of the last three years and the fourth round in 2010.

But Townsend is unlikely to be too intimidated by her opponent’s accomplishments.  She has already shown herself ready for the big stage, as shown by her third-round showing last month at Roland Garros in her Grand Slam singles debut.  She also possesses a game that – no pun intended – is tailor-made for the grass.  She is an all-court aggressive lefty with a big forehand.  The American youngster loves to venture to the forecourt and utilize the slice.  All of these are elements that should reap plenty of rewards on the lawns of Wimbledon.

Koukalova needs to prevent Townsend from using the various facets of her game, but that will not be easy.  The Czech is the superior mover, so extending points bodes well for her chances.  That said, she does not want to be the one doing all of the running, chasing down whatever the American throws at her from her bag of tricks.  Instead, she must employ her favorite shot, the backhand, to open the court and keep Townsend off balance, unable to tee off on her powerful groundstrokes.  For Townsend, this match is all about taking the initiative at the first opportunity.  She has more firepower, which means she should control the bulk of the rallies.  But she also has to guard against going for too much.  Koukalova will make her play, so Townsend must remain patient and keep the unforced error count down.

In spite of the difference in ranking, this is a relatively even match.  Experience favors Koukalova, but with more weapons, the match is primarily Townsend’s to control.  If she can play within herself, a spot in the second round is hers for the taking.