Day 2 is here at Wimbledon as veteran David Ferrer looks to reach the second round, while David Goffin and Jack Sock should be on upset alert. Our panelists offer their previews and predictions.
David Ferrer vs Karen Khachanov
Brett Margolies: David Ferrer just hasn’t shown any signs as of late that he’ll be able to keep this match competitive, especially on his worst surface. You know you’ll get 100% from him every time he’s on the court, but at this stage in his career, I don’t think this will end well. Khachanov in 3
Yesh Ginsburg: Ferrer is not quite what he once was, so this will be a good test for the rising Khachanov. The grass gives the Russian an advantage, but expect a big fight from Ferrer. Khachanov in 4
Steen Kirby: Khachanov has a h2h win this year and he’s pretty good on grass. Ferrer isn’t the player he was by a long ways and though he’s always known to battle hard, the Russian will simply be too good for him to match. Khachanov in 4
Frances Tiafoe vs Fernando Verdasco
Brett: Frances Tiafoe showed flashes of what he can do on the grass at the Queens Club reaching the quarterfinals. If he’s able to play that way at the All England Club, I like his chances to advance. Tiafoe in 4
Yesh: Both of these players are extremely talented. Verdasco is past his peak, and Tiafoe is not quite at his yet. This should be a great match. I’ll go with experience to barely outlast the stronger younger player here. Verdasco in 5
Steen: Verdasco’s experience probably helps him overtake the rising Tiafoe in this one. Tiafoe isn’t bad on grass but Verdasco has historically been good on the surface and in best of 5 I’m not confident Frances can maintain a high level the entire match. Verdasco in 4
Matt Ebden vs David Goffin
Brett: This is a tough match for Goffin against a player in Ebden who plays his best tennis on grass. Ebden managed to keep it relatively close against Federer in Halle which makes me think he has a real chance here against the Belgian. Ebden in 5
Yesh: Ebden has talent, but he hasn’t put it all together yet and should have nothing for the in-form Goffin. Goffin in 3
Steen: Ebden has had a fantastic season on the grass, and the career journeyman could turn a major corner for his career with an upset of Goffin here. The Belgian is not in great form though, and despite a h2h edge on Ebden, I’ll back the better grass court player. Ebden in 5
Jeremy Chardy vs Denis Shapovalov
Brett: This is a tough matchup for Shapovalov against a player in Chardy who is dangerous when he’s in form. Chardy will be full of confidence after a semifinals appearance at the Queens Club, and a title in Hertogenbosch. Shapovalov will win plenty of matches in his career at Wimbledon, but his draw isn’t doing him any favors. Chardy in 4
Yesh: Shapovalov has not been great recently, but that’s normal for a young player breaking through. He does his best on the biggest of stages, and his lack of experience on grass will make this match closer, but it won’t stop the young Canadian from winning. Shapovalov in 4
Steen: Chardy is in great form on grass and although Shapovalov is a rising star, this is going to be a very tough match. I’ll back the unappreciated French veteran to play some of his best tennis and defeat a player still finding his footing on grass. Chardy in 4
Jack Sock vs Matteo Berrettini
Brett: It’s almost impossible to go with Jack Sock right now. He’s taken ten steps back after a great season last year and is struggling to win anything at the moment. He has a winnable first round match against Berrettini who doesn’t have much grass-court experience, but it’s hard to pick Sock right now. Berrettini in 4
Yesh: Jack Sock is in terrible form. Lucky for him, he gets to face Berrettini, who is not the same level of player and has no real experience on grass. Sock in 3
Steen: Sock is in atrocious form, and Berrettini has been rising, despite limited experience on grass. I’m not convinced Sock would beat most players in the field right now, and I’ll back the young Italian to pull an upset. Berrettini in 4
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