The second round of Wimbledon is upon us, and it is already looking like we could be in store for another frenzied Grand Slam. No. 1 Jannik Sinner has all eyes on him; can he get past an upset-minded Nuno Borges? As always, we at LWOT offer our roundtable predictions for every match on the slate. But who will advance?
Wimbledon Day 3 Predictions
Ignacio Buse vs Jenson Brooksby
Zain
With limited experience on grass, Ignacio Buse had a great first-round performance. Against Jenson Brooksby, this match will also be decided by which player takes more initiative from the baseline, as both like to counterpunch and stick to the back of the court. Although Buse has the weapons to make this tricky for Brooksby, I think the American’s greater experience on grass can pay dividends here as he earns a well-deserved victory.
Prediction: Brooksby in 4
Manuel
Buse has been playing well in recent months, but grass is not really his favorite surface. This should be a very close match all throughout, decided by fine margins.
Prediction: Brooksby in 5
Rafael Jodar vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Zain
Both these players faced off at the French Open just over a month ago, where Rafael Jodar won after coming back from two sets to love down as Pablo Carreno Busta once again ran out of gas. This match should also be close, as Jodar has played very few matches on grass. Carreno Busta has the baseline game to make this tricky for his younger countryman, and with more experience on grass, I can see him exacting revenge for what happened at the French Open.
Prediction: Carreno Busta in 5
Manuel
A rematch of the Roland Garros fourth round, won by Jodar from 0-2 down in sets. At this point in their respective careers, Jodar should be able to prevail again, especially given how averse to grass Busta has always been.
Prediction: Jodar in 3
Ethan Quinn vs Shintaro Mochizuki
Zain
Shintaro Mochizuki arguably produced the performance of the first round. Now against Ethan Quinn, this match will likely be decided by which player serves better, as Quinn’s game depends primarily on his first serve and forehand combination. But although that means the American will never be out of this match, Mochizuki’s level in the first round was just too high to ignore.
Prediction: Mochizuki in 5
Manuel
Quinn had a great run to the final in Mallorca the week before Wimbledon and a good draw to make a run here, which he should really take advantage of.
Prediction: Quinn in 4
Jannik Sinner vs Nuno Borges
Zain
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner survived a massive scare in his first round, coming back from two sets to one down against Miomir Kecmanovic. While one reason for that was Sinner not playing at his best from the baseline, it was also a factor that this was his first tennis match in over a month. Expect the Italian to improve his level as the tournament progresses and win this match more comfortably.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Manuel
Borges tends to play better at Slams than regular tour events, but he really got the short end of the stick here. Despite a scare in the opening round, Sinner should advance with relative ease here.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – Imagn Images
