Karolina Pliskova versus Victoria Azarenka

In a battle of former Number 1's, Karolina Pliskova faces the tough task of taking on Victoria Azarenka for the right to advance to the third round.  Whether or not she is up to the task is anyone's guess.  Childbirth and a custody battle have stalled Azarenka's comeback, but Pliskova will be quite aware that the Belorussian is capable of playing well above her current ranking of Number 87.  Azarenka is known as a solid base-liner, able to produce powerful groundstrokes from both wings.  Her movement has also improved through the years and is definitely better than the Czech in that department.  Pliskova, however, should enjoy a decisive edge when it comes to serving, and when at her best, cannot only match the power Azarenka, but can surpass it. 

With so little to choose between their games, it is no surprise this has been a tight rivalry, with most of their matches going the distance.  Although Azarenka does lead it 3-2, they have split both of their meetings from earlier this year, and Pliskova won their most recent meeting on the clay in Madrid.  As the seventh seed, it is tempting to pick the Czech to even this rivalry, but it may be Azarenka who actually should be the one more expected to get through.  Pliskova has enjoyed success on grass, but it has never come at Wimbledon.  She has yet to make it out of the second round here, and given her complications in her opener, Azarenka is perhaps the slight favorite.

Caroline Wozniacki versus Ekaterina Makarova

It has been a bit of a mixed bag for Caroline Wozniacki since realizing her dream with her Australian Open victory earlier this season.  As great it was to get that monkey off her back, she would dearly love to back it up with another major title and will be keen to make that happen by putting together a similar run here at Wimbledon.  If she hopes to keep her title hopes alive at the All England Club though, she will first have to get by a potentially tricky customer in Ekaterina Makarova on Wednesday.  The Russian is currently ranked just outside of the Top 30, but she is a former Top 10 player who is presently tops in doubles, which breeds its own confidence.  Furthermore, although Wozniacki holds a clear-cut edge in this rivalry 7-1, their most recent encounters have been tight, and it was Makarova who won their most recent outing at this same stage at last year's US Open.  In part, it is not surprising that their matches should be close. 

Both are excellent athletes that are quick about the court.  Each is stronger on the backhand wing but more than solid on the forehand.  Makarova is a better finisher in the forecourt, however, Wozniacki has the higher shot tolerance and will be the one willing to mix it up more as far as giving her opponent different looks and speeds on the ball.  Additionally, Wozniacki did recently win the tune-up event in Eastbourne right before arriving at Wimbledon, so between that, her dominant head-to-head against the Russian, and the simple fact that she has enjoyed more overall success throughout 2018, she has to be considered the obvious favorite.  Makarova has the pedigree and the tools to make it interesting, but at this point in time, the Dane has a little too much game.  Unless she has an off day at the office, Wozniacki should avoid the upset to advance.

Agnieszka Radawanska versus Lucie Safarova

It seems hard to believe that this match is occurring so early at a major, but thanks to injuries and illness, Agnieszka Radwanksa and Lucie Safarova find themselves across the net from one another, each hoping to dismiss the other in the hopes of advancing to the third round in an effort to rebuild her place in the game.  Radwanska is the seeded player, and she is a former finalist here.  She also garnered some momentum before arriving at SW19 thanks to her run to the semifinals of Eastbourne.  The grass unquestionably best suits her game.  Her various spins and slices are rewarded on the turf, it helps aid her in her lack of firepower, and the touch and feel she exhibits in the forecourt also translates well to this surface.  That said, she is lucky to find herself in the second round after having to save multiple match points in her opening match.  She will have to raise her game if she hopes to stay in this tournament. 

It is not that Safarova is anywhere near her best at the moment.  A serious illness along with niggling injuries have put her career off course, but a few years ago she was a Top 5 singles player and Roland Garros finalist.  She, too, has enjoyed success on the grass, having reached the final four here.  She has more firepower than the Pole, which puts her in prime position to control the majority of the rallies, and with her lefty forehand and serve, is better slated to open the court to carve out space for winners.  As a top doubles player, she can also match Radwanska's transition game and skills up at the net.  All told, her best beats Radwanska's best in this matchup, and their head-to-head bears this out with Safarova leading it 4-1.  Given how little each has played coming into this contest, it is difficult to discern what to expect, but given their past history and the Czech's more imposing game, she is arguably the favorite to earn the upset.