With 32 first-round matches on the slate on day two at Wimbledon, expect plenty of entertaining tennis. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every scheduled match, including Matteo Berrettini vs Guido Pella, Roger Federer vs Adrian Mannarino, Fernando Verdasco vs Grigor Dimitrov, Nick Kyrgios vs Ugo Humbert, Hubert Hurkacz vs Lorenzo Musetti, Jan-Lennard Struff vs Daniil Medvedev and Kei Nishikori vs Alexei Popyrin. But who will reach the round of 64?
Wimbledon Day 2 Predictions
Alexander Zverev vs Tallon Griekspoor
Jim: Alexander Zverev does not have a particularly impressive record at Wimbledon, but the German has enjoyed some success on the grass over the course of his career. He has also become a more consistent performer at the Majors, reaching the quarterfinals in Melbourne and the last four in Paris. He should be able to get past Tallon Griekspoor comfortably enough.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Jakub: It is a well-known fact that Zverev is prone to dropping sets to players he should be beating easily at Slams, but Griekspoor is not among the most formidable qualifiers in the draw, taking advantage of an easy draw.
Prediction: Zverev in 4
Yesh: Zverev has a more powerful game and is far stronger from the baseline. This shouldn’t be much of a contest.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
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Aslan Karatsev vs Jeremy Chardy
Jim: After a phenomenal start to the season, Aslan Karatsev has slightly lost his way of late. The Russian lost early in Lyon and Paris to conclude his clay-court season, before falling in the second round at Queen’s Club to Cameron Norrie in comprehensive fashion. The Briton has been playing well, but that does not change the fact that Karatsev hasn’t been. Fortunately for him, Jeremy Chardy has been in even worse form. Expect Karatsev to have just about enough to reach the second round.
Prediction: Karatsev in 4
Jakub: Karatsev’s meteoric rise since the tour restart has been fairly astonishing, but the Russian’s form has been more mediocre in the past few months. The 20th seed has only ever won two matches on grass. His opponent, Chardy, is far more experienced on grass, and though he is on a four-match losing streak, he has reached the second week of Wimbledon before.
Prediction: Chardy in 4
Yesh: Karatsev has shocked us on all surfaces this year, so I don’t want to underestimate him. And his game should suit the grass. Chardy is experienced and fine on the surface, though, so he should mount a challenge.
Prediction: Karatsev in 4
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Taylor Fritz vs Brandon Nakashima
Jim: Taylor Fritz has never been past the second round at Wimbledon, but the American has the ability to do much better than that on the grass courts at the All England Club. He may need to be at his best against his countryman Brandon Nakashima, who found some form in the qualifying, but if he does play his best tennis he should have more than enough to account for Nakashima.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Jakub: Though Fritz has never made it past the second round at Wimbledon, his only title so far came on grass. The 2019 Eastbourne champion did not play any lead-up events though, so it is tough to see where he is at right now. The 19-year-old Nakashima is actually a huge favorite with the bookies despite never playing on grass until this month. He had an impressive qualifying campaign, only allowing Aleksandar Vukic two games before ending Viktor Troicki’s career and beating Ernests Gulbis in straight sets in the final round.
Prediction: Nakashima in 4
Yesh: Nakashima did great in qualifying and should be a good pro prospect after a strong college career. But he’s not as strong as Fritz. Yet.
Prediction: Fritz in 5
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James Duckworth vs Radu Albot
Jim: Although this is hardly a headline clash, it should be an entertaining match. There are weaknesses in James Duckworth’s game, but the Australian is an excellent competitor and he has a solid skillset for grass-court tennis. So does Radu Albot – he reached the third round at Wimbledon in 2018 when he was at the peak of his powers. But the Moldovan has found wins hard to come by this season.
Prediction: Duckworth in 5
Jakub: Duckworth had a decent lead-up, his grass record being 6-3, and earned wins over players such as Ilya Ivashka or Adrian Mannarino. Albot went 3-3, one of the wins a retirement, but does lead the head-to-head 1-0 and reached the third round at Wimbledon before. Still, expect the Australian’s form to carry him into the second round.
Prediction: Duckworth in 3
Yesh: Albot has not yet replicated his peak from a few years ago. Duckworth likes the grass and generally plays well in bigger tournaments.
Prediction: Duckworth in 4
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