Big servers Hubert Hurkacz and John Isner take to the quick grass courts of Wimbledon as the tournament opens play on day 1. We have predictions for every day 1 match including Novak Djokovic’s first match from London.
John Isner vs Enzo Couacaud
Damian Kust: Enzo Couacaud has an underrated serve and blasted 19 aces in the final qualifying round. If he can keep things tight here, he might have a shot as John Isner hasn’t played a grass warm-up and doesn’t like the low grass bounce. The American is the favorite though. Isner in 4
Shane Black: John Isner, who reached the 2018 Wimbledon semifinals, is looking to show his serve has not aged in his first grass tournament of the year. As the #20 seed Isner will face qualifier Enzo Couacaud in Round 1. The Frenchman is currently ranked #207 in the world and will all but likely struggle mightily with the big Americans serve. Isner in 4
David Goffin vs Radu Albot
Damian: David Goffin can play excellent tennis on grass, but he’s a little bit short on match rhythm right now. Having qualified for the main draw, Radu Albot doesn’t have the same issue and should keep it tight against the Belgian, even though he’s never beaten him in four attempts. Goffin in 5
Shane: Veterans David Goffin and Radu Albot square off for the fifth time in their careers but the first time at Wimbledon. Goffin leads the head-to-head 4-0. Albot worked his way through qualifying and has played 11 grass-court matches this season compared to Goffin’s one. Although the Belgian is the better player, I think Albot’s lead-up to Wimbledon will pay off for him. Albot in 4
Tim van Rijthoven vs Federico Delbonis
Damian: This is an ideal draw for Tim van Rijthoven, mostly as Federico Delbonis has never won a grass match in his career (0-13). We’ll see how much confidence the Dutchman took from his ‘s-Hertogenbosch run, but he should power through here anyway. van Rijthoven in 3
Shane: Tim van Rijthoven produced one of the best stories of the season when he took a Wildcard berth to a title in Den Bosch, picking up his first career match victory on the ATP Tour along the way. van Rijthoven did not play in any events since then, so he is currently riding a five-match win streak. Federico Delbonis is an abysmal 0-12 in his career on the grass. It is too hard to pick against the magic of the Dutchman. van Rijthoven in 4
Hubert Hurkacz vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Damian: It’s a potentially tricky opener for Hubert Hurkacz, but it seems like he’s just way too much of a natural on grass to struggle here. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is a former Wimbledon champion in juniors, but he hasn’t translated that to the pros and likely won’t anytime soon. Hurkacz in 3
Shane: Hubert Hurkacz and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina meet in Round 1 in what is a very unlucky draw for both players. The Spaniard was one spot away from being seeded at the All England Club and instead has to play the #7 seed in Round 1. Unfortunately for Davidovich Fokina, Hurkacz loves the grass and really has the perfect style of play for it. Hurkacz in 3
Main Photo from Getty Images
