Day 4 at Wimbledon sees the second round continue, with several seeded players looking to maintain their momentum while a handful of dangerous underdogs hope to spring an upset. As always, our writers offer their thoughts and predictions for four intriguing men’s singles matches.
Wimbledon Day 4 Men’s Predictions
Alexander Zverev vs Valentin Royer
Andreas:
Zverev was tight at times during his opener against Alexander Blockx, but survived in four sets. His big serve should be enough against Royer; the Frenchman has been on a brutal run of losses throughout 2026.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Amanda:
Alexander Zverev faced some difficulty in his opening round, but a win was never really in doubt. Valentin Royer isn’t strong enough on grass to take advantage of Zverev being on his worst surface, so it should be a straightforward win for Zverev.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Tope:
Zverev arrives with the composure of a man who’s already banked a French Open title this year, and that firepower should translate well on faster Centre Court grass. Royer’s grit the same fight that took a set off Djokovic at Roland Garros got him past Wendelken, but grass exposes exactly what he lacks: a serve or forehand big enough to keep Zverev at bay. Expect the German to lean on his return games and close this out in straight sets, extending his head-to-head.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Ilemona:
Royer has enjoyed an impressive breakthrough season and has shown he is capable of competing with higher-ranked opponents. Zverev has looked increasingly comfortable on grass over the last few years, and his serve and backhand should help him control the baseline exchanges while limiting Royer’s chances to dictate.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Jiri Lehecka vs Alex Molcan
Andreas:
Lehecka is the type of player who should excel on grass courts, with an explosive first serve and forehand. Molcan, a tricky lefty, will likely not have the weapons to withstand the No. 12 seed’s game. Lehecka took out the similarly powerful Alexei Popyrin with ease, and he should roll through this match as well.
Prediction: Lehecka in 3
Amanda:
Alex Molcan notched an impressive four-set win over Daniel Altmaier in the first round, but Jiri Lehecka will be a tougher task. Lehecka is a strong grass-court player whose grass losses this season have been due to tiebreaks. Should there be tiebreaks in this match, Lehecka will have the advantage of experience, but he also should be able to break Molcan’s serve before sets get to that point.
Prediction: Lehecka in 3
Tope:
Jiri Lehecka strolled through round one without dropping serve once, cruising past Alexei Popyrin in straight sets. Alex Molcan, in contrast, had to grind out a rain-interrupted four-setter over two days to see off Daniel Altmaier, using energy Lehecka simply didn’t need to spend. With an 80-plus ranking gap and fresher legs on his side, expect Lehecka to control this one from the baseline and close it out in straight sets.
Prediction: Lehecka in 3
Ilemona:
Lehecka’s aggressive first-strike tennis has made him one of the more dangerous players on grass, and he has carried solid form into Wimbledon. Molcan is a crafty competitor who can extend rallies, but Lehecka’s bigger serve and ability to take the ball early should allow him to stay on the front foot throughout the match.
Prediction: Lehecka in 3
Jan Choinski vs Frances Tiafoe
Andreas:
Choinski was one of the few British winners to survive a disastrous home campaign in the first round, as he won in straight sets. Tiafoe was iffy at times during his opener against Terence Atmane, winning a four-setter lasting over two days. The Brit has built some momentum, coming off a quarterfinal at the ATP 250 Eastbourne event; he could make this close. Tiafoe, who lost in the second round here in 2025, should have enough in the tank.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 4
Amanda:
Despite dropping a set and extending his match over two days, Frances Tiafoe is playing his best tennis right now and shouldn’t have much trouble against Jan Choinski. Choinski had a solid run in Eastbourne and a good first-round win, but he hasn’t yet faced a player of Tiafoe’s caliber.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Ilemona:
Choinski will relish the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd and has the game to make life awkward on grass. Tiafoe has produced some of his best tennis on this surface over the years, though, and his athleticism, variety, and willingness to attack the net should help him come through the biggest moments.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 4
James Duckworth vs Flavio Cobolli
Andreas:
Cobolli, similar to Tiafoe, had to complete his match after darkness suspended his opener. The Italian is just 10-9 on grass in his career, and it may be difficult to back up his run to the French Open final. The Aussie made his deepest run at a Grand Slam here, in 2021, though at 34, it’s unclear if he’ll have the legs to face an explosive player like Cobolli.
Prediction: Cobolli in 4
Amanda:
Flavio Cobolli survived a first-set scare in his opening match and may have some trouble with James Duckworth, who had a great first-round win. Cobolli is still the favorite and should come through, but the match could get tricky if Cobolli has the same ups-and-downs as he did in the first round.
Prediction: Cobolli in 4
Ilemona:
Duckworth is always a tricky opponent on grass, with his flat groundstrokes and reliable serve making him difficult to break. Cobolli has made huge strides on the surface this season, backing up his improved movement with a more aggressive first-strike game and growing confidence. If he continues to serve well and take the initiative from the baseline, he has the tools to come through another tough test.
Prediction: Cobolli in 5
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
