Diego Schwartzman looks to get past the upset minded Stefan Kozlov, Brandon Nakashima is also in action on day 2 of Wimbledon. We have predictions for every day 2 match including the first round match for Nick Kyrgios.
Diego Schwartzman vs Stefan Kozlov
Damian Kust: Tough to say if the lucky loser is actually a tougher or easier draw than Borna Coric. Diego Schwartzman hasn’t won a match in the grass-court warm-ups, but it’s not like he’s awful on the surface. Stefan Kozlov’s weird game can trip him up, but the consistency and mental stability is certainly on the Argentinian’s side. Schwartzman in 5
Jakub Bobro: Schwartzman is one of the weaker seeds in this draw, taking straight-set losses to Sam Querrey at Queen’s Club and Jack Draper in Eastbourne. Kozlov, the 2014 Boys’ Singles and Doubles finalist, is making his Wimbledon debut as a lucky loser. Expectations were low for the 24-year-old as he got double bageled by Steve Johnson in Queen’s Club qualifying. Kozlov pleasantly surprised though, taking out Dominic Stricker and going five with Dennis Novak. Kozlov can’t really hit through Schwartzman but still could pull off a potential upset. Kozlov in 4
Brandon Nakashima vs Nicola Kuhn
Damian: Once hailed as one of the best young prospects, Nicola Kuhn will finally make his Grand Slam main draw debut. There’s still plenty of potential there but his qualifying section was weaker and it will be tough to defeat someone already seasoned on the main circuit. Nakashima in 4
Jakub: Nakashima has looked good on grass, going 7-3, including two wins over Sam Querrey. Kuhn has had a losing record for three seasons running which is why his Wimbledon qualifying run came as such a surprise. The 22-year-old was touted as a very promising prospect and is yet to do good on that promise but making his first slam main draw is a good start. It’s a tough one to call but I will lean towards Kuhn here. Kuhn in 5
Roberto Carballes Baena vs Jordan Thompson
Damian: Jordan Thompson doesn’t play a typical grass-court style, but you can’t deny him how effective it is. He’s essentially chipping and grinding his way to big wins on this surface and while this isn’t that kind of matchup, he should be safe regardless. Thompson in 3
Jakub: Carballes Baena might be one of the weakest players in this draw, winning just two sets at Wimbledon across five appearances including qualifying. The Spaniard retired from a match three weeks ago and his taken rough losses to Nicholas David Ionel and Kimmer Coppejans. Thompson is 11-3 on grass this season, beating Denis Kudla to win the Surbiton Challenger and losing to Dan Evans in the final of Nottingham. The Australian should be winning here. Thompson in 3
Emil Ruusuvuori vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Damian: Yoshihito Nishioka was in sub-optimal form recently and while you could imagine his strokes being quite unpleasant to face on grass, it feels like everything is on Emil Ruusuvuori’s racket. The Finn should use his huge weaponry to prevail. Ruusuvuori in 3
Jakub: Ruusuvuori has been seen as a potentially good grass player and he showed what he can do at Queen’s Club, beat Quentin Halys and Jack Draper to make the quarterfinals out of qualifying. Nishioka comes in with no grass warm-ups and on a five-match losing streak which was actually started by the Finn back in Munich. The 26-year-old’s win over John Isner here last season was a fluke and we should expect Ruusuvuori to advance. Ruusuvuori in 4
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