Wimbledon 2013: Top 5 women's third round matches to watch out for

As we helplessly witnessed the carnage on a wild Wednesday at Wimbledon, one thing we definitely learnt – title contenders are not immune to being felled in the first week itself. Another important fact the day taught us is that it takes unwavering self-belief and unflinching courage to overcome even the greatest of obstacles – something which the likes of Sergiy Stakhovsky and Michelle Larcher de Brito exhibited. Can there be a repeat as we step into the third round? Which stars look vulnerable? We have a look at the potentially exciting ladies encounters in the third round and answer these questions.

Eugenie Bouchard v Carla Suarez Navarro (19) (Head-to-head: First meeting)

Eugenie Bouchard, adorably called, Genie, has become the media darling within the first four days of the tournament. She has mesmerized tennis aficionados as much with her brilliant shot-making as with her gorgeous looks. The Canadian No. 1 is the reigning junior champion but has apparently made a very smooth transition onto the senior stage on her Wimbledon debut.

The fledgling 19-year-old showed maturity far beyond her age as she bundled out former semi-finalist Ana Ivanovic with consummate ease and made the great Martina Navratilova comment that she expects Bouchard to be a future Grand Slam champion. For the Spanish 19th seed, grass is not the best surface and she has never made it past the third round at SW19. Even though she arrived at Wimbledon with a semi-final appearance at Den Bosch, expect Bouchard’s burgeoning self-confidence to do the damage.

Prediction: Bouchard wins in three sets.

Ekaterina Makarova (25) v Petra Kvitova (8) (Head-to-head: Kvitova leads 2-1)

The possible quarter-final meeting between second seed Victoria Azarenka and eighth seed Petra Kvitova, if she stays true to her incredible talent, was one of the early talking points of The Championships. After Wednesday, most of the biggest names from her part of the draw were obliterated as fans were still grappling to come to terms with the massacre.

Now the 2011 champion, unbelievably remains the biggest seed as she fortunately didn’t have to take the court on Wednesday, courtesy of her opponent’s walkover. But would she escape disaster now? Ekaterina Makarova is a feisty opponent on grass, having captured the Eastbourne title once. The southpaw has flat strokes much like the Czech herself and if that becomes consistent, Kvitova might be in a spot of bother. Plus the Russian went further than Kvitova at their grasscourt warm-up in Eastbourne this year.

Prediction: Makarova wins in three sets.

Sabine Lisicki (23) v Samantha Stosur (14) (Head-to-head: Stosur leads 4-1)

One of them has her game tailor-made for grass and the other one has her game suited for the claycourts. Does that give a clear indication of who will emerge the winner? If one has a look at their head-to-head record, it will be seen that the former US Open champion Samantha Stosur, who is known for her clay prowess, has won four of their five matches. Nevertheless, Sabine Lisicki has a wonderful connection with the hallowed turf of SW19 and it brings the best out of her.

She loves these courts and performs admirably well with this year being no exception so far. Her movement, serve, shot selection has so far been impeccable and she has looked lethal. Stosur, on the other hand is trying to shake off her grass demons and has said her positive attitude is finally working well for her on the verdant green lawns. She is determined, looks intrepid but would that be enough to pierce the German barrier and her soaring self-belief?

Prediction: Lisicki wins in straight sets.

Agnieszka Radwanska (4) v Madison Keys (Head-to-head: Radwanska leads 1-0)

This is another battle between a precocious talent and an established force on the Tour. Madison has been one of the fastest-rising young girls and has stirred quite a lot of attention this year. Top 10 win, Grand Slam debut victories, WTA quarter-finals – her resume already looks pretty enviable. Besides, her ultra aggressive brand of tennis is perfect for grass. But she comes up against a player who is perhaps an epitome of versatility.

Surprise, disguise, variation – the 2012 Wimbledon runner-up has it all in her repertoire and the surprise factor is one of the biggest strengths of her game. She did struggle at Eastbourne though and couldn’t rack up many grasscourt wins coming into the Big W. But the Polish No. 1 has a knack of turning things around swiftly and her deftness and subtle touches will be sufficient enough to unsettle an 18-year-old.

Prediction: Radwanska wins in straight sets.

Serena Williams (1) v Kimiko Date-Krumm (Head-to-head: First meeting)

This encounter validates once again that age is just a number. Serena Williams who is three months shy of her 32nd birthday is the oldest World No. 1 and the fourth oldest on the women’s tour but she comes up against someone who is 11 years older than her. Does it sound puzzling? Then another piece of fact is quite startling – the last time Kimiko Date-Krumm ever went past the Wimbledon second round was in 1996 when she had reached the semi-finals!

As the oldest woman ever to reach the Wimbledon third round in the Open Era, the Japanese is quite an inspiration and her game too is a throwback to the old times which is quite refreshing to see. With that game she had absorbed Venus Williams’ brutal power on these lawns in 2011 and nearly pulled off an upset in a memorable match. Serena perhaps hasn’t faced such an opponent before and the American who is on a sizzling 33-match winning streak, has admitted she will take her sister Venus’ advice for the upcoming clash. Serena perhaps knows the best how to quash any challenge but the match should be a delectable display.

Prediction: Serena wins in straight sets.