Former champion Venus Williams stormed into the second round of Wimbledon with an emphatic win over Madison Brengle. She will look to sustain the momentum of that huge victory when she takes on young upstart Yulia Putintseva in the round of 64 this coming Wednesday.
Read on below for an in-depth preview of this blockbuster showdown. You can also check out the men’s side of the draw with our previews of Djokovic vs. Nieminen and Nishikori vs. Giraldo.
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Venus Williams vs. Yulia Putintseva Betting Preview
Where: All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon
Venus Williams’ quest for a sixth Wimbledon crown is still very much alive after a resounding 6-0, 6-0 win over Madison Brengle in the first round on Monday. It was a fantastic performance from Williams who needed just 42 minutes to record the straight-sets victory. With the victory, Williams booked a place in the second round of Wimbledon for the 15th time in her career.
[sc:Other240banner ]Williams was in a different class against Brengle as she recorded the first ”double bagel” at the All England Club in six years. She outhit her American compatriot in the winners department, 29-2 and also had a 6-0 edge in service aces.
Waiting in the next round for Williams is Yulia Putintseva. Williams is 1-0 in her career against Putintseva with the 35-year old beating the young Kazakh in the second round of the Rogers Cup last year. Williams destroyed Putintseva in straight sets at Montreal, 6-3, 6-2.
For Williams to extend her dominance against Putintseva, she needs to continue her excellent return play. She won 63% (32/51) of her receiving points against Brengle with Williams converting six of her 11 break point chances in the opening round.
Yulia Putintseva barged into the second round of Wimbledon with a gritty 7-6 (5), 7-5 win over Marina Erakovic. It was a remarkable performance from the 20-year-old who needed two hours and 14 minutes to hack out the straight-sets win. With the victory, Putintseva is into the round of 64 at Wimbledon for the first time in her career.
Things are bound to get tougher, though, for Putintseva as standing in her way in the next round is five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams. For Putintseva to record the massive upset, she needs to improve on her disappointing return play. Putintseva won just 38% of her receiving points against Erakovic with the Kazakh converting just one of her eight break point opportunities. That simply won’t do against a talented hitter like Williams who won 89% of her service points on Monday.
Putintseva’s serve needs to be right on cue as well if she is to stun Williams in the second round. She put into play just 56% of her first serves against Erakovic. She can ill afford to repeat that kind of service performance against Williams who is 10th in the WTA Tour in return points won with a solid 47.5% clip this season.
Putintseva is 6-4 in her last 10 matches.
Writer’s Prediction
Williams (-1,000) defeats Putintseva in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1.
