You can never count two time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, with that said, it’s been four years since he’s taken to the court at Wimbledon and a first round match against Nikoloz Basilashvili presents a challenge. Our panelists have predictions for all of the day 1 matches including Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas’ matches.
Andy Murray vs Nikoloz Basilashvili
Pablo Mosquera Hasselbaink: Murray’s absence from Wimbledon comes to an end after four years but a lot of question marks surround his game and fitness. The Georgian gunslinger fits the mold of a feast or famine player. Will he also play the role of a villain? I think so. Basilashvili in 5
Steen Kirby: A semifinalist in Halle with a 19-17 record on the season and a solid grass court record, Basilashvili is plenty capable on the grass and should give Murray a difficult match. In limited match play since the start of 2020, Murray has basically broken even in his matches, having struggled against some of the better players on tour as he’s simply not the player he was, and may never again reach that level after all the injuries. The crowd will be behind Murray though and this venue is special for him, I have a hunch Murray can will himself to a first round win here, going further is a much different story. Murray in 5
Gael Monfils vs Christopher O’Connell
Pablo: It’s been a year of famine for these players on court. Four main draw wins in 2021. Combined. It looked like Monfils was going to regain his mojo at Roland Garros, but it didn’t happen. Despite his profound struggles since the tour hiatus, Monfils is still ranked No. 16. The bubble is going to burst soon, but not against the Aussie qualifier. Monfils in 5
Steen: Despite a good record on grass and at Wimbledon, Monfils has been terrible this year at 2-9, O’Connell qualified and despite his poor record on the season and thin resume, he’s still objectively outplaying Monfils at the moment. Monfils is the bigger name but O’Connell’s slightly better form should be enough to get him through in a minor upset. O’Connell in 4
Vasek Pospisil vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Pablo: Sometimes, tennis isn’t as complicated as we think. Pospisil is clearly better than Carballes on grass. Carballes is clearly better than Pospisil on clay. Don’t let the fact Carballes outplayed Sam Querrey in Mallorca fool you. It’s not happening at Wimbledon. Pospisil in 3
Steen: RCB has been poor this season at tour level, Pospisil has been limited this season but did reach the quarters in Eastbourne and is a little better on grass. It won’t be easy, but the Canadian should find his way through unless Carballes Baena really steps up. Pospisil in 5
Kwon Soon-woo vs Daniel Masur
Pablo: Kwon is coming off of a semi-final showing in Eastbourne…despite losing in qualies to World No. 1132 Alastair Gray. Masur arrived to Roehampton fresh off a 7-match losing streak dating back to March. You can’t make this up. If tennis as a whole is hard to predict at times, grass court tennis’ unpredictability is beyond question. That being said, Masur in 5
Steen: Qualifier Daniel Masur is making his Grand Slam main draw debut, he’s yet to make his big break onto the ATP tour, but he’s shown flashes of talent that suggest that could happen soon. Kwon reached the semis in Eastbourne and has proven himself as capable against the best on tour. Masur could rise to the moment, but Kwon is the more secure pick. Kwon in 4
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