There should be plenty of entertaining action on day two at Wimbledon with a number of star names set to take to the court at the All England Club. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Roger Federer vs Adrian Mannarino, Nick Kyrgios vs Ugo Humbert, Fernando Verdasco vs Grigor Dimitrov, Hubert Hurkacz vs Lorenzo Musetti, Jan-Lennard Struff vs Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev vs Tallon Griekspoor and Kei Nishikori vs Alexei Popyrin. But who will reach the second round?
Wimbledon Day 2 Predictions
Matteo Berrettini vs Guido Pella
Jim: Matteo Berrettini showed at Queen’s Club that he will be a force to be reckoned with on the grass in the coming years. The Italian’s serve and forehand can combine to punishing effect, and although Guido Pella should not be underestimated – he is a former-Wimbledon quarterfinalist after all – it is hard to see the Argentine holding Berrettini up for long.
Prediction: Berrettini in 3
Damian: Is Berrettini a title contender? Maybe, maybe not, but the Italian is absolutely a force to be reckoned with on grass at the moment and even though Pella had his bright moments at Wimbledon, he shouldn’t stand a chance in this one.
Prediction: Berrettini in 3
Yesh: Berrettini is coming into Wimbledon as a potential favourite after winning at Queen’s. He’s a title contender, and Pella is just in his way. This won’t be close on grass.
Prediction: Berrettini in 3
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Lucas Pouille vs Cameron Norrie
Jim: When Lucas Pouille is in full flight, the Frenchman can be a joy to watch. Particularly when he is playing on a fast court like those at the All England Club. But he has played relatively little tennis over the last 18 months. He showed enough in coming through the qualifying in Mallorca to suggest that he might be able to give the in-form Cameron Norrie some trouble, but the Briton will surely prove too strong in the end.
Prediction: Norrie in 4
Damian: Pouille’s comeback is definitely not going as planned and this is a nightmare of a first-round draw for the Frenchman. Norrie’s flat backhand works very well on grass and he’s in the middle of a career-best season.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
Yesh: Norrie is playing so well, consistently, right now. His rise has been as meteoric as it was unexpected. He likes the grass, and Pouille hasn’t been in good form in years.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
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Yasutake Uchiyama vs Carlos Alcaraz
Jim: It will be interesting to see how effectively Carlos Alcaraz adapts to the grass. It may not be an entirely straightforward process for the Spaniard. It was one even his illustrious compatriot Rafael Nadal had some early difficulties with. But this looks like a winnable match for Alcaraz up against the lucky loser Yasutake Uchiyama.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
Damian: Alcaraz on grass is still an enigma, but looking at how decently he did on hard courts this year, perhaps he can adjust here too. Uchiyama has been in a terrible slump the past two years, but he’s usually quite good on faster surfaces. Close call.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 5
Yesh: Uchiyama is lucky to be in the main draw here. Tommy Paul would probably have blasted the rising Spanish star Alcaraz off the grass courts. The lucky loser Uchiyama won’t have much for his young opponent, though.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
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Lorenzo Sonego vs Pedro Sousa
Jim: Pedro Sousa has worked hard in his attempt to establish himself as a tour-level regular. He has not quite made it yet, although he has made some impressive strides. Regardless, this fortnight is something of a bonus for the Portuguese. Lorenzo Sonego, in contrast, has gone from strength to strength this season and arrives at Wimbledon with high expectations after reaching the final in Eastbourne. He should have the edge here.
Prediction: Sonego in 3
Damian: Maybe if it was Joao Sousa. His countryman Pedro has only played a couple of matches on this surface in his career, while Sonego is coming off a great run at Eastbourne. The Italian should come through extremely easily.
Prediction: Sonego in 3
Damian: Neither player has had a real love for the grass in the past, but Sonego looks good on the surface this year so far. The Italian will make a name for himself here.
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