The first day of tennis at the Tokyo Olympics is Saturday (in Tokyo, late Friday night in the US), and we’re here to share our thoughts on each game. Players compete for ranking points and national glory, and the Olympics almost always bring out the best in athletes. Monica Puig won this tournament in 2016, but she is not in the draw this year. Who will win on Day 1? Our writers share their thoughts. Jim Smith, Damian Kust and Yesh Ginsburg predict this series of matches. We also have predictions for the rest of the day’s matches, broken down among three other articles. One features Barbora Krejcikova vs. Zarina Diyas, the second features Maria Sakkari vs. Anett Kontaveit and the third features Kiki Bertens vs. Marketa Vondrousova.

Women’s Predictions Day 1 of the Tokyo Olympic Games

Belinda Bencic vs. Jessica Pegula

Jim:
Belinda Bencic’s performances seem to go from excellent to terrible almost entirely at random. If she’s at her best, she’s got enough in her game to win this game. But Jessica Pegula is a consistent and efficient hunter enjoying the best season of her career. It seems to be the safest choice.
Prediction: Pegula in 3

Damien:
Pegula has been one of the most surprising performers of the season and her most brilliant results have come on hard courts. With Bencic’s fragile and unstable form, this is surely a shattering alert.
Prediction: Pegula in 3

Yes :
Pegula was in great shape at the start of the year, playing a formidable all-court style that brought her to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Bencic may be the ranked player here, but Pegula has better form and better results this year, especially on the hard courts.
Prediction: Pegula in 3

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Misaki Doi vs. Renata Zarazua

Jim:
Several Japanese players have received draws at the Olympics this year, which can perhaps somehow compensate for the lack of supporters in the stands. Misaki Doi is one of them and the Japanese veteran looks well positioned to reach at least the second round as a result.
Prediction: Doi in 3

Damien:
It looks like a toss-up. Doi won’t be able to count on the local audience, but she should be much more used to the heat and conditions. With the two players competing for the last time on hard courts in Miami, such an advantage could be decisive.
Prediction: Doi in 3

Yes :
Neither player is particularly impressive, and the two have the chance to go head-to-head and have a chance to advance to Round 2. I have no idea who will play better, but Zarazua has the better advantage. , so it seems to be the less difficult choice. .
Prediction: Zarazua in 3

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Leylah Annie Fernandez vs. Dayana Yastremska

Jim:
Dayana Yastremska shouldn’t be lacking in motivation after losing months of her career to a doping suspension that was ultimately overturned. She looked strong as she returned to action in Hamburg reaching the semi-finals and with Leylah Fernandez being out of form lately the Ukrainian should be confident in her chances of reaching the second round.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3

Damien:
This is only the second event of the year for Yastremska, but for what it’s worth she had a very good run in Hamburg. She’s still a question mark, but with Fernandez barely winning any games since her title in Monterrey, the Ukrainian should have a decent shot.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3

Yes :
What an incredible first round clash this could be. Two potential young stars of the game face off at the Olympics. Sadly, Yastremska is coming back from a canceled doping ban and Fernandez has recently been in bad shape. Yastremska wants to prove herself and is in great shape, so I like her here.
Prediction: Yastremska in 2

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Kiki Bertens vs. Marketa Vondrousova

Jim:
It is sad that Kiki Bertens’ career has been so badly damaged by injuries. The Dutchwoman briefly seemed almost certain to win a Major, but will now retire at the end of this year with exhausted strength. Marketa Vondrousova remains less consistent than she would like, but she should be comfortable here.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2

Damien:
Bertens truly deserves a better start, but there was nothing in her last performances to suggest that she still has it. Vondrousova likes slower conditions as much as the Dutchwoman and should end Bertens’ career here.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2

Yes :
It could very well be the last game of Bertens’ career. For someone coming out of sport, the Dutchwoman has not found new forms of inspiration. Then again, that’s more or less why she’s retiring, anyway. It’s unfortunate, but I expect Bertens to bow out on a bitter note.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2

Main photo by Getty.