Day four at Wimbledon has thrown up an intriguing slate of men’s matches, including one mouth-watering clash between Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios, and here at LWOT we’re offering predictions for sixteen of the best. That includes Roger Federer’s match up against wildcard Jay Clarke, top-ten stalwart Kei Nishikori vs home hope Cameron Norrie and the big-serving John Isner’s matchup with the dangerous Mikhail Kukushkin. Offering their prediction for this group of matches are Jim Smith, Harsh Bhoot and Yesh Ginsburg.
Wimbledon Day Four Predictions
John Millman vs Laslo Djere
Jim: Millman remains a consistently impressive player and he seems to have developed a taste for Grand Slam play in recent years. Djere, meanwhile, has many qualities, but his measured approach does not serve him particularly well on the grass. This one should be fairly straightforward for the Australian.
Prediction: Millman in 4
Harsh: Neither player has had any form coming into Wimbledon this year. Laslo seeded 31 this year won his first title at Rio this year but has waned off since. Millman still hasn’t found his footing this year, but to beat Djere shouldn’t be beyond him.
Prediction: Millman in 4
Yesh: Millman struggled a bit against Hugo Dellien, who had never played a match on grass before. Djere is no grass aficionado himself, so Millman might slip through.
Prediction: Millman in 4
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Steve Johnson vs Alex De Minaur
Jim: De Minaur has found his career rather stalling of late. He’s a good athlete and hits a clean ball, but his game doesn’t have much of an x-factor yet. Johnson’s, in contrast, might have a fair number of flaws, but he has a wicked backhand slice and a big forehand. That is a combination that is always going to work well on a grass court.
Prediction: Johnson in 4
Harsh: Both players looked great in dispatching their first round opponents in straight sets. It’ll be a matchup of Johnson’s attack versus De Minaur’s quality defence. The Australian should be fancying his chances here.
Prediction: De Minaur in 5
Yesh: Johnson was solid in his opening match. Now he’ll face a talented young Australian who won’t be overawed by the occasion. Expect a good match here with lots of hard hitting.
Prediction: De Minaur in 5
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Fabio Fognini vs Marton Fucsovics
Jim: Fognini is hardly known for his grass-court prowess, but he did well to battle past Frances Tiafoe in five sets in the first round. But up against the powerful Fucsovics, he looks destined to struggle. The Hungarian is at his best playing aggressive first-strike tennis and should be able to account for the Italian reasonably comfortably.
Prediction: Fucsovics in 4
Harsh: This should be a fun contest having never met on grass before. Fucsovics ideally would have liked a better grass court season so far and taking on Fognini is not going to be easy. Fognini in his first grass court match of the season came out victorious against a tricky opponent in Tiafoe. Both players have similar game plays but the Italian’s 2019 should continue to motor along nicely.
Prediction: Fognini in 4
Yesh: Fognini is generally terrible on the grass, but he showed real grit and strength in taking out Frances Tiafoe. He’s a better overall player than Fucsovics, but the grass will even things up in Fucsovic’s favour.
Prediction: Fucsovics in 4
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Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios
Jim: Tennis doesn’t have that many grudge matches, but this certainly looks like one. It’s also exactly the sort of match that Nadal won’t have wanted to have to play early in the tournament. Make no mistake, Kyrgios, for all his antics, thrives on the big stage and is dangerous. But Nadal will have extra motivation to cut the upstart Australian down to size. And there are few sights on a tennis court as fearsome as Nadal with the bit between his teeth.
Prediction: Nadal in 4
Harsh: Second round clashes don’t get bigger than this. They have history here at SW19 and if the pressers are anything to go by it’s going to be an exciting match. Kyrgios was his unpredictable self in the first round, something which will hurt his chances against Nadal.
Prediction: Nadal in 4
Yesh: It feels bad to say this, but this is a rough matchup for Nadal. For all the braggadocio, Kyrgios really is that good on grass. He can dictate against Nadal. As long as Kyrgios’ head is in this match, it will be on his racket.
Prediction: Kyrgios in 4
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