Big hitting young guns Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas are in action on day 1 of Wimbledon 2019, while Grigor Dimitrov looks to find form. Our panelists Steen Kirby and Yesh Ginsburg offer their predictions. We also have predictions for matches featuring Novak Djokovic, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gael Monfils.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Thomas Fabbiano
Steen: Fabbiano has an ATP semi on grass over the past couple of weeks, showing he’s capable of pulling the upset. Tsitispas is in the best form of his young career though and I don’t see the Italian derailing him. Tsitsipas in 3
Yesh: Tsitsipas is continuing his incendiary run. His power tennis will be right at home on the grass of SW19. Don’t expect Fabbiano to put up to much of a challenge, though he was impressive in Eastbourne last week. Tsitsipas in 3
Reilly Opelka vs Cedrik-Marcel Stebe
Steen: Opelka is in poor form but he’s taking on a journeyman in Stebe. Stebe had a promising career derailed by injuries and Opelka is on the rise overall. Opelka should ride his serve to an opening round win. Opelka in 3
Yesh: These two big servers should be fun to watch on the grass. It’s too bad that Wimbledon instituted a fifth-set tiebreaker. This one could have lasted a while. Opelka in 5
Alexander Zverev vs Jiri Vesely
Steen: The qualifier Vesely will have a puncher’s chance here as Zverev is struggling and has always been a poor grand slam performer. He hits big though and if he can keep it in the court he’ll have an edge against Vesely. Zverev in 4
Yesh: Vesely came into the main draw through qualifying. His reward is a match with Alexander Zverev, who is struggling right now and always struggles at Slams. Is an upset on the cards here? Probably not. But don’t be shocked if it happens. Zverev in 5
Grigor Dimitrov vs Corentin Moutet
Steen: Moutet qualified with good form. Dimitrov has been all over the place this season and is no longer considered to be a top tier player. Dimitrov will have to fight in this one, he should still survive but it’ll be close. Dimitrov in 4
Yesh: Moutet also came through qualifying. He, however, is not so comfortable on the grass. He’s in the best form of his career right now, but that won’t be enough to deal with Grigor Dimitrov. Dimitrov in 3
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