Day 2 at Wimbledon features Juan Martin Del Potro facing young gun Thanasi Kokkinakis, veterans Mischa Zverev, John Isner, and Feliciano Lopez also look for winning starts, while Dominic Thiem looks to find form. Our panel of Yesh Ginsburg, Steen Kirby, and Brett Margolies are on hand to offer their previews, with predictions.
(29)Juan Martin Del Potro vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis
Steen: Both players are slowly easing back into their best tennis after injuries. Del Potro has a higher upside though, and I don’t see Kokkinakis lasting five sets. Del Potro in 5
Yesh: Kokkinakis is coming back, and his talent is clear, but beating Del Potro this soon is probably not what he’s up to yet. Del Potro in 4
Brett: After not playing a grass court warmup event due to injury, Juan Martin Del Potro will be taking the court against Thanasi Kokkinakis. Both have had their fair share of injuries recently and fans will be happy just to see them back on court. I don’t think Del Potro would risk playing if he wasn’t fit so look for him to advance the 2nd round. Del Potro in 4
(19)Feliciano Lopez vs. Adrian Mannarino
Steen: Lopez has nine wins on grass, Mannarino has five this season, as both players enter this match in good form. Fatigue could be a factor for Mannarino, and with Lopez serve and volley peaking at 35, he should win this entertaining matchup. Lopez in 4
Yesh: Lopez is coming off the biggest win of his career with a title at Queen’s. He’s due for a huge Wimbledon run. Lopez in 3
Brett: 35 year old Feliciano Lopez is coming off the biggest title of his career last week at the Queens Club, while Adrian Mannarino is making the trip from Antalya after a finals loss to Yuichi Sugita. Lopez leads the H2H 3-0 and can’t see much changing on Tuesday. Lopez in 3
(8)Dominic Thiem vs. Vasek Pospisil
Steen: The Canadian Pospisil has won nine matches on grass this year, Thiem has been in awful form by comparison, and grass is a poor surface for his game in general. Pospisil’s serve and groundstroke power is enough of a weapon to give him a chance in this one, and I see Thiem racking up errors and losing this match. Pospisil in 4
Yesh: Dominic Thiem looked awful in Antalya. Vasek Pospisil hasn’t been good in a few years, though. I can’t go with Pospisil, even though it’s possible. Thiem in 4
Brett: Dominic Thiem’s loss last week to Ramkumar Ramanathan has to have fans of the Austrian a bit nervous heading in to Wimbledon. It isn’t exactly ideal prep for the 8th seed, and facing a tough grass court player in Vasek Pospisil right off the bat won’t help. Pospisil in 5
(27)Mischa Zverev vs. Bernard Tomic
Steen: Tomic just won this match a week ago but I don’t trust him in best of 5, after a poor season. Zverev’s serve and volley should improve enough to survive in 5. Zverev in 5
Yesh: The elder Zverev is rising, not quite as fast as his bother. Tomic is very good on grass, though. This should be a great match. Tomic in 5
Brett: After defeating Zverev just last week in Eastbourne (6-2 6-3) Tomic and Zverev will face off again. If (big if) Tomic is motivated he’s capable of putting up some good results on his favorite surface. Look for him to do the same thing as last week and get past Mischa Zverev. Tomic in 4
(23)John Isner vs. (Q)Taylor Fritz
Steen: Fritz is improving a lot, and he’s far from weak on grass, in addition, Isner has had a rough season. All of that said Isner’s serve is a dangerous weapon and should be enough to get him a win. Isner in 3
Yesh: Taylor Fritz’s day will come. But beating Isner at a Slam probably takes more consistency than what he has. Isner in 4
Brett: When John Isner saw Q next to his name, I’m sure one of the last qualifiers he’d like to have faced is fellow American Taylor Fritz. Fritz rolled through qualifying comfortably dropping only one set, playing Isner is never easy with his huge serve and will be a contrast in style from the three opponents he got past in the qualifying draw. Isner in 4
Main Photo:
