Expect plenty of entertaining action on day two at Wimbledon. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Holger Rune vs Kwon Soon-woo, Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Taro Daniel, Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Comesana, Hubert Hurkacz vs Radu Albot, Andy Murray vs Tomas Machac, Alex de Minaur vs James Duckworth, and Novak Djokovic vs Vit Kopriva. But who will reach the second round?
Wimbledon Day 2 Predictions
Alexander Zverev vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Jim: Alexander Zverev is one of a few leading lights in the men’s game who still looks uncomfortable on the grass, and he has not reached the second week at Wimbledon since 2021. He has also not stepped on court since a wrenching defeat in the French Open final. Even so, it would be a very significant surprise were Roberto Carballes Baena, very much a clay-court specialist, to spring an upset here.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Damian: Zverev in Halle was a bit of a mixed bag and the very passive approach to his baseline game doesn’t work on this surface that well. From the third round onwards that’s something he’ll have to look at as otherwise it will prove costly. But he’s gonna handle his business easily here.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Yesh: Zverev has to be getting tired of Grand Slam disappointments by now. He honestly probably should have won two, but he’s still stuck on zero and eventually the Tour will catch up to his game. His time is running out, so he has to make the next few years count.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
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Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Luca Nardi
Jim: Both these men are looking for their first grass-court win of the season – not a massive surprise given their marked preference for the clay. But Tomas Martin Etcheverry has that much more experience than Luca Nardi and, whilst the young Italian has a bright future, that could well be the difference.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 4
Damian: Nardi should have some decent grass court potential with his game profile, we just haven’t seen it in motion too much yet. That theory might be enough to consider him the favorite over Etcheverry though with the Argentinian feeling much more at home in bouncier, slower conditions.
Prediction: Nardi in 5
Yesh: This would certainly be a very fun match on clay. On grass, it will be about who can adjust their game to the surface better. I’ll take the player with more experience, but it’s a tight one.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 4
Luciano Darderi vs Jan Choinski
Jim: Luciano Darderi very nearly upset Jan-Lennard Struff in Halle – which would have been a statement win for the 22-year-old Italian. But he didn’t pull it off and has just one grass-court win to his name so far in 2024. Still, there will be a gulf in quality here so do not be surprised to see Darderi to collect a second.
Prediction: Darderi in 4
Damian: Darderi started his season on grass surprisingly well, showing he might have more game for this surface than some of the other clay specialists. One of them is facing him here and it’s the Italian who should be rated as the favorite given Choinski’s lack of even minimal grass pedigree.
Prediction: Darderi in 4
Yesh: Choinski’s nationality switch pays off in Wimbledon berths, and he gets a pretty good draw here. Darderi is certainly a better player overall with a better upside, but currently on grass and in front of a partisan crowd, Choinski might get a win here.
Prediction: Choinski in 4
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Lucas Pouille vs Laslo Djere
Jim: It will be good to see Lucas Pouille back on the court at Wimbledon. The Frenchman has always been an elegant shot-maker and, when he is on song, his forehand is a weapon to be feared. A return to the quarterfinals looks very unlikely, but Pouille did look sharp in qualifying and may well have the beating of Laslo Djere here.
Prediction: Pouille in 4
Damian: Pouille was so good in the qualifying, not dropping a set in a fairly difficult section. The Frenchman is playing a full season for the first time in years and will pick up a few good runs along the way if he remains healthy. This is a good opportunity against Djere, who doesn’t exactly adore the grass.
Prediction: Pouille in 3
Yesh: Pouille’s longevity on Tour is pretty underrated. Djere, meanwhile, has had moments of greatness, but he’s pretty average overall. Still, he should like the faster surface better than the Frenchman.
Prediction: Djere in 4
Main photo credit: Taya Gray/The Desert Sun/USAToday Sports
