Veteran talent Grigor Dimitrov takes on Steve Johnson on day 1 of the Wimbledon Grand Slam, American Frances Tiafoe also plays. We have predictions for every day 1 match from London including Novak Djokovic’s first round contest.
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Carlos Alcaraz
Jakub Bobro: Struff has been really struggling this season, losing 12 out of 14 matches, struggling to catch form even on grass. Alcaraz only played the Hurlingham exhibition, losing matches to Ruud and Tiafoe. It will be some time before the Spaniard is effective on grass but should be beating Struff in his current form. Alcaraz in 4
Damian Kust: Carlos Alcaraz is still trying to find his grass footing and we don’t know much about where he’s at after Hurlingham. If Jan-Lennard Struff’s serve is firing, this is a potentially tricky first-round. The German is coming back after an injury though and isn’t quite at his best yet. Alcaraz in 4
Frances Tiafoe vs Andrea Vavassori
Jakub: Tiafoe has had a tough time on grass this season, losing to Stan Wawrinka and Alexander Bublik. The American looked very good here last season, reaching the third round and taking out Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets. Vavassori was largely a doubles specialist until last season, making his slam main draw debut here, emerging out of a weaker qualifying section afiter beating Zdenek Kolar. Tiafoe should win here though the Italian might mix it up. Tiafoe in 4
Damian: Andrea Vavassori is a delight to watch on the Wimbledon grass, especially as he had 116 net approaches in the final qualifying round. He won’t give Frances Tiafoe that much rhythm, but the American should eventually solve the riddle. Tiafoe in 4
Grigor Dimitrov vs Steve Johnson
Jakub: Dimitrov, a 2014 semifinalist here, has had a tough time on grass in the past five years since his Wimbledon fourth-round and Queen’s Club semifinal run. Johnson double bageled Stefan Kozlov at Queen’s Club but his 2-2 record is nothing to write home about. Dimitrov leads the head-to-head but the two have split in their previous meetings, the Bulgarian winning in straight sets in 2015 while Johnson won a year later. It will be an interesting match though with Dimitrov likely coming out as the winner.
Dimitrov in 5
Damian: The two are tied 1-1 at Wimbledon, but it’s been a while. Steve Johnson has definitely declined much more since then and he shouldn’t be that competitive against Grigor Dimitrov these days. The Bulgarian could be eyeing a deep run here. Dimitrov in 4
Alejandro Tabilo vs Laslo Djere
Jakub: Tabilo was strong during the golden swing, reaching finals at Cordoba and Santiago. The Chilean has little grass-court experience with his Mallorca win over Fernando Verdasco being his most impressive one. Djere also does not have much experience on the surface, gettin just two non-retirement wins in 12 matches. It’s a tough one to call but I will lean towards Tabilo here. Tabilo in 4
Damian: Neither is expected to perform well on this surface but for what it’s worth, Alejandro Tabilo has a much more aggressive game and more easy ways to win points. Laslo Djere is the more stable player though, leaving this one very close on paper. Tabilo in 5
Main Photo from Getty Images
