Steen Kirby, Yesh Ginsburg, and Brett Margolies are back again to offer their predictions for day 3 at Wimbledon. Defending champion Andy Murray faces the tricky Dustin Brown, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Kei Nishikori will be hoping to avoid upsets, while Daniil Medvedev looks to backup his big round 1 victory, and two veterans, Lukas Rosol, and Gilles Muller will face off for a coveted third round spot.
(1)Andy Murray vs. Dustin Brown
Steen: Brown can be lethal on grass, but he did drop a set in his opening match, and his form has not been great this season. Murray looks to back playing “grand slam tennis” in terms of form, he’s struggled on the ATP but looked quite comfortable back at Wimbledon. He’s far from a lock for the semifinals, but I can’t see him losing to Brown unless his serve abandons him. Murray in 4
Yesh: Brown is a good grass player and his aggressive style could keep Murray on the back foot, but he is not consistent enough to be able to beat Murray over five sets on grass. Murray in 4
Brett: This has potential to be the match of the 2nd round. It all depends on what kind of day Dustin Brown is having. I have a feeling he’s going to produce similar tennis that helped him knock of Nadal in 2015 and once again become the talk of Wimbledon after he shocks the #1 Andy Murray. Brown in 4
(12)Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. (Q)Simone Bolelli
Steen: Bolelli enters this match having won four straight on grass, that means he will have a chance against Tsonga, who was shaky prior to Wimbledon, if he can get off to a good start. The Italian has been an underappreciated shotmaker for years, but as long as Tsonga keeps the error count down he simply has more weapons on grass. Tsonga in 3
Yesh: Tsonga is tremendous on grass. His serve was untouchable in his first match, and that means that Bolelli won’t have a chance. Tsonga in 3
Brett: Simone Bolelli has qualified and won a round which is probably more then most expected out of the 31 year old Italian. I don’t think his run will continue as Tsonga wins easily. Tsonga in 3
(Q)Ruben Bemelmans vs. Daniil Medvedev
Steen: Bemelmans is another player who has reeled off four straight wins on grass (via qualifying), that said, Medvedev’s powerful and aggressive play was good enough to beat Wawrinka round 1, and given how good he is on grass, he should win this match too. Medvedev in 4
Yesh: This should be all on Medvedev’s racket. Can he back up his win over Wawrinka? I’ll say yes, but some nerves will get thrown in there. Medvedev in 4
Brett: This is an interesting match between two players that had upset wins on the opening day. It’s a big opportunity for both of these guys to get to the 3rd round of a major. Ruben Bemelmans is a little more experienced and I think that’ll be key on Wednesday. Bemelmans in 4
(Q)Lukas Rosol vs. (16)Gilles Muller
Steen: Rosol has a 2-0 h2h edge, and that should give him plenty of belief, coming through qualifying helps too. Muller is having a career best season though, and on grass he has to be the favorite. Look for his serve and volley to trouble Rosol. Muller in 5
Yesh: This should be a great match between two very strong grass-court players. The one who keeps his nerves best will win, so I’ll take Rosol by a hair. Rosol in 4
Brett: This is a good match between two players who have had their fair share of success at Wimbledon. Muller’s grass form has just been to good lately for me to believe Rosol can pull off the upset. Muller in 4
(9)Kei Nishikori vs. (Q)Sergiy Stakhovsky
Steen: Stako is 2-0 in the h2h and has looked great coming through qualifying. Nishikori was otherworldly in round 1 though and that gives me enough belief that he’ll find a way to win this though. Stakhovsky’s lack of consistency has prevented him from reaching higher heights on the ATP tour. Nishikori in 5
Yesh: This should be a pretty good match. Stakhovsky at his best on grass is pretty darn good, but Nishikori was just on another level in his first match. Very few players are touching him playing like that. Nishikori in 3
Brett: Nishikori rolled past Cecchinato who is far from a threat on grass. Stakhovsky will prove to be a much tougher opponent on this surface but still won’t be enough to get the win. Nishikori in 4
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