Wimbledon 2018, the pinnacle of the grass court season, has arrived. Our panelists go through the best matches on day one of the men’s side of the tournament and offer their predictions.
Gilles Muller vs Michael Mmoh
Steen Kirby: The 20 year old Mmoh has had some decent results on grass and made the draw as a lucky loser. Muller is in terrible form but historically he’s great on grass. This match could really go either way but Muller should rise to the occasion and use his experience to get over the line. Muller in 5
Yesh Ginsburg: Gilles Muller is a specialist on grass. He might not be as good as he once was, but his serve will still be impenetrable against the American. Muller in 3
Brett Margolies: Muller has had some big results throughout his career at Wimbledon. I think Mmoh playing as a lucky loser will allow him to play with less pressure and should be able to hold comfortably against Muller. I like the Americans chances of getting his first slam win. Mmoh in 4
Lukas Weese: The 20-year old American Michael Mmoh will be taking on a grass court specialist in his first round match in Gilles Muller. Mmoh is ranked #119 in the world with only two previous Grand Slam match experiences. Muller, on the other hand, is ranked 60th in the world but is always a tough out at Wimbledon. Last year, he miraculously beat Rafael Nadal in five sets, one of the greatest upsets at the All-England Club. I think Muller’s experience will prove to be deadly as he advances to the second round in a straight set match. Muller in 3
Daniil Medvedev vs Borna Coric
Steen: Coric, the Halle champion, is in far better form than his fellow young gun opponent. Medvedev is a good player but his form is average at best right now and Coric seems to be soaring. I don’t see why that won’t continue here. Coric in 3
Yesh: This battle of NextGen stars would be tempting on a usual day, but right now it feels one-sided. Medvedev is not in great form, and Coric looks beastly, having just beaten Roger Federer in Halle. Coric in 3
Brett: Expectations for Coric certainly changed after beating Federer to win Halle. He wasn’t really considered much of a threat on grass, but he’s shown he can play on this surface. Medvedev hasn’t been able to get it going this season, Coric shouldn’t have much trouble here. Coric in 3
Lukas: Medvedev and Coric will be meeting for their third time in the first round of Wimbledon. They are 1-1 in their previous two meetings. Coric has quietly become a dark horse on the grass, after a three set victory over the Swiss maestro Roger Federer at Halle. But he is facing a player in Medvedev who has the ability to create stellar angles on his shots, dictating play with his aggressive groundstrokes. I wouldn’t be surprised if this match goes four or five sets but I like the young Coric to use his arsenal of shots to power through to the second round. Coric in 5
Lucas Pouille vs Denis Kudla
Steen: Pouille had been struggling but he did enough on grass in the warm up to Wimbledon to suggest he’ll have enough form to clip Kudla here. The American journeyman is great on grass but Pouille is not an easy opponent and I don’t think he can pull the upset this time. Pouille in 4
Yesh: There could be an upset brewing here. Pouille has been in a slump lately, while Kudla plays well on grass. Kudla in 4
Brett: Kudla received a well deserved WC to Wimbledon after impressive results throughout the grass court season. It’s the slam where he’s had his most success as well reaching the 4th round in 2015. I think this one goes five with Kudla coming out on top. Kudla in 5
Lukas: This is a mis match of talent and experience. Lucas Pouille is ranked 20th in the world and has a plethora of experience winning against top players, like beating Rafael Nadal at the U.S. Open. Denis Kudla is ranked 83rd in the world, trying to become one of the next generation’s top players. Pouille’s masterful groundstrokes will be put on full display as I believe he will advance to the second round in straight sets. Pouille in 3
Gael Monfils vs Richard Gasquet
Steen: Monfils has not had a great season, while Gasquet has to be pretty happy about his Wimbledon prep. This match could go either way but I’m not confident in Monfils at all right now and that should help Gasquet get past a tough opening match. Gasquet in 4
Yesh: This should be the best match of the first round. The two Frenchman both can hit beautiful shots on the grass. Expect to be entertained nonstop while watching this. I’ll go with the better serve here. Just barely. Monfils in 5
Brett: Monfils showed promising signs last week in Antalya reaching the semifinals and playing well for the most part. The draw opens up for the winner here so it’s unfortunate that they have to play in the first round. Their matches are typically close and this shouldn’t be any different. Monfils in 5
Lukas: This is one of the most exciting and compelling first round matchups. Two Frenchmen, who always produce exciting points, will be facing off against each other for the 17th time, with Monfils leading Gasquet in the head to head category (9-7). Gasquet is a former quarterfinalist at Wimbledon and the angles he crafts from his groundstrokes are dangerous. It will be close but I think the fitness of Gasquet will prevail over his fellow Frenchman, allowing him to win in four sets. Gasquet in 4
Stan Wawrinka vs Grigor Dimitrov
Steen: Wawrinka is in terrible form and he’s not a good grass court player. With his movement and groundstrokes limited, Dimitrov, who needs to find form himself, should power through with relative ease. Wawrinka is a shell of his former self. Dimitrov in 3
Yesh: This could be a great match, but Wawrinka is far from back to his best form yet, and he was never great on grass to begin with. Dimitrov in 3
Brett: Wawrinka hasn’t received any help in his draw’s as of late. He had to face Sam Querrey in the round of 16 and the Queens Club, and Andy Murray in the first round in Eastbourne. Stan does play his best when the stakes are high so he’ll get up for this one, but lack of match play isn’t going to help against a player in Dimitrov who plays well on grass. Dimitrov in 4
Lukas: It is crazy to think that just a few short years ago, Stan Wawrinka was in the top 5 and a Wimbledon away from winning the Career Grand Slam. While that fact still remains, injuries have hindered his performance, making him now an unseeded player. Grigor Dimitrov has also underachieved since making the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2014, still searching for that first Grand Slam title. Ultimately, I do not think Wawrinka is in the physical condition to compete with Dimitrov. Dimitrov is 4-2 against Wawrinka and I think he will dominate the Swiss with his crafty shotmaking to advance to the 2nd round. Dimitrov in 3
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