On June 24, 2025, Varvara Lepchenko of the United States will compete against Mariam Bolkvadze from Georgia in the opening qualifying round of Wimbledon at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London. This match is part of the Grand Slam tournament‘s qualifying phase, contested on grass courts with a total prize pool of £53,550,000.
Player Profiles and Recent Form
Varvara Lepchenko, currently ranked 121st worldwide, is experiencing a season marked by inconsistency, holding an 18-18 win-loss record across 36 matches on the WTA Tour and ITF circuit, including qualifiers. The 39-year-old recently exited the Nottingham Open qualifying after a defeat to Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic. Lepchenko has a lengthy history at Wimbledon with 10 main draw appearances since 2001 but has not progressed past the qualifying rounds at SW19 since 2018.
Mariam Bolkvadze, ranked 198th, brings her own left-handed game to the match. The 27-year-old Georgian mainly competes on the ITF circuit and is entering her fourth attempt at Wimbledon qualifying. Earlier in June, Bolkvadze qualified for the Libema Open but was eliminated in the first round by second seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Comparing Competitors: Past Encounters and Playing Styles
Varvara Lepchenko and Mariam Bolkvadze have never faced each other before on either the WTA Tour or the ITF circuit, leaving their head-to-head record at 0-0. Lepchenko’s style features steady, low-margined groundstrokes and a tactical left-handed serve and forehand that can control baseline rallies. Her ability to use sharp angles and keep exchanges short may give her a crucial edge in the Wimbledon qualifiers.
Similarly left-handed, Bolkvadze’s primary weapon is a strong two-handed backhand. However, her relative inexperience in major tournament qualifiers compared to Lepchenko may be a decisive factor when they meet on the grass courts of SW19.
Outlook and Possible Outcomes for the Qualifying Battle
Lepchenko’s combination of veteran savvy and a versatile left-handed game positions her as the favorite to advance to Wimbledon’s next qualifying round. If she maintains consistent baseline play and leverages her experience, it is expected she will secure a straight-sets victory over Bolkvadze in this first qualifying match scheduled for Tuesday. The upcoming encounter presents a significant opportunity for Lepchenko to break her recent qualifying drought at this prestigious Grand Slam event, while Bolkvadze aims to capitalize on her growing experience to make an impact on the major stage.