Stan Wawrinka looks to upset Jannik Sinner on day 1 of the Wimbledon Championships, Adrian Mannarino also plays in London at SW19. We have predictions for every day 1 match including Novak Djokovic’s first match.
Jannik Sinner vs Stan Wawrinka
Damian Kust: Blockbuster in terms of the names, but the quality is likely not going to deliver. Jannik Sinner hasn’t been doing well on grass in his relatively short career so far, and Stan Wawrinka was merely okay at Queen’s (and also never enjoyed these courts that much). Feels like a flip. Wawrinka in 5
Shane Black: In what is one of the highlights of Round 1, young Jannik Sinner takes on two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist Stan Wawrinka. Wawrinka is on the last legs of his career but did have an impressive 7-6 6-7 7-6 win over Frances Tiafoe at the Queen’s Club. Sinner is just too fit and powerful to be truly bothered by the veteran in a best-of-five-set match. Sinner in 4
Sebastian Baez vs Taro Daniel
Damian: Both players fared quite well in Mallorca and perform better than you’d expect on the grass. Taro Daniel has more obvious assets with the improved serve, but he could be in trouble if Sebastian Baez’s forehand is firing. Daniel in 5
Shane: As the #31 overall seed, 21-year-old Sebastian Baez is competing as a seeded player at a slam for the first time in his career. The Argentinian has shown a proclivity to the clay and is just 1-2 on the grass in his early career. Taro Daniel also does not have much experience at Wimbledon or on the grass. I think grit and determination help power Baez through in this one. Baez in 4
Marton Fucsovics vs Alexander Bublik
Damian: Marton Fucsovics has been struggling with his health recently and Alexander Bublik is looking significantly more focused in recent weeks. The Kazakh usually flops when he’s expected to go deep in a tournament, but it really feels like this Wimbledon is a brilliant chance for him. Bublik in 4
Shane: Marton Fucsovics and Alexander Bublik are both very good grass players in their own right, yet neither one of them has had enough success over the last year to be seeded at the All England Club. Though they have never met on the grass, Bublik controls the head-to-head 3-1. Fucsovics retired in his last two matches and may not be fully fit for this one. I will take the 25-year-old in four tight sets. Bublik in 4
Adrian Mannarino vs Max Purcell
Damian: Underrated gem of the round with Max Purcell enjoying grass a lot and Adrian Mannarino’s low-bouncing shots being a nightmare to face on this surface. The experienced Frenchman should take it, but he’ll need to execute his game well. Mannarino in 4
Shane: Grass-court aficionado Adrian Mannarino matches up with qualifier Max Purcell in Round 1. Mannarino loves this surface, holding a 57.7% winning percentage on it. Purcell has also taken a liking to the grass. He is 7-2 on the surface this season, though all of those wins were at the Challenger level or in qualifiers. I like the long-term prospects of the Australian, but think Mannarino gets it done here. Mannarino in 4
Main Photo from Getty Images
