Defending champion Andy Murray looks to make week 2 against Fabio Fognini, Americans Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson are also aiming for the second week, while Jerzy Janowicz and Kei Nishikori look to keep up their form in pivotal matchups. Our panel of Steen Kirby, Brett Margolies, and Yesh Ginsburg is \on hand to preview and predict.
(1)Andy Murray vs (28)Fabio Fognini
Steen: On clay Fognini would have a real chance, but Murray hasn’t dropped a set in two matches and shouldn’t drop one here. Murray in 3
Brett: For the 3rd straight match Andy Murray will be facing a player who is unpredictable. He seems to be all business at the moment and can’t see Fognini doing anything to disturb that. Murray in 3
Yesh: Fognini might be able to beat Murray when the Italian is at his best on clay (he’s done it before), but doing it on grass is a different story. Murray in 3
Benoit Paire vs. Jerzy Janowicz
Steen: Paire just beat Janowicz on grass, but I see the Polish player firing enough powerful shots to get a win in bets of 5. Both players are inconsistent and will likely fly off the handle at multiple times this match, but Janowicz serve is the best weapon. Janowicz in 5
Brett: If you like matches that guarantee drama then this is for you. As for the tennis, Jerzy Janowicz is playing similar to the form that helped him reach the semifinals in 2013. Paire who once proclaimed he hated grass has embraced the surface but I think his run ends here. Janowicz in 4
Yesh: Janowicz is just too unpredictable for me to ever think that he’s guaranteed win. At his best on grass he should be able to beat Paire easily, but he’s just too inconsistent. Then again, so is Paire. Paire in 5
(12)Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. (24)Sam Querrey
Steen: Tsonga has a good h2h record in this one and hasn’t dropped a set yet, watch out for the Frenchman, as he looks to be rising up the ranks suddenly and could be a real threat this tournament, Querrey isn’t at his peak by compare. Tsonga in 4
Brett: After a marathon match at Wimbledon in 2014, Sam Querrey is looking to get revenge after losing 14-12 in the 5th set. Querrey, who has the right game on grass has played well so far but don’t see him troubling Tsonga enough to get the win. Tsonga in 4
Yesh: Querrey can’t quite get over the hump against Tsonga on grass. Both have huge serves and good ground games to back it up. This is a match that could easily go past 6-6 in the fifth, and should be a great one to watch. Tsonga in 5
(9)Kei Nishikori vs. (18)Roberto Bautista Agut
Steen: Nishikori has never lost to RBA, given how well he’s played through two matches, I don’t give RBA a significant chance, he lacks the weapons compared to Nishikori and his effective movement. Nishikori in 4
Brett: Nishikori and Bautista-Agut will be facing each other for the 5th time with Nishikori leading the H2H 4-0. Kei had a little trouble with Stakhovsky, but with the way he’s playing he should get past RBA. Nishikori in 3
Yesh: Nishikori has looked dominant all tournament. He’s been showing an incredible level of tennis. He lost a tiebreaker to Sergiy Stakhovsky, but there’s no shame in that on grass. Nishikori in 3
(7)Marin Cilic vs. (26)Steve Johnson
Steen: Cilic is 2-0 against Johnson and hasn’t dropped a set this tournament. Johnson is not bad on grass, but Cilic is still superior on the surface, and in better form. Cilic in 3
Brett: Steve Johnson played well last year at the Queens Club against Marin Cilic where he won the first set before dropping the next two. Cilic just seems too good at the moment, I do expect Johnson to put up a good fight but won’t be enough. Cilic in 4
Yesh: Steve Johnson has been playing very emotional tennis for a few months now, but I don’t think he has enough to get through the power of Cilic. Cilic in 4
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