ATP next gen stars Denis Shapovalov and Alexander Zverev look to reach round 3 at Wimbledon. Meanwhile former top 20 standouts Ernests Gulbis and Bernard Tomic would love to spring a surprise on day 4. Our panelists offer their predictions.
Benoit Paire vs Denis Shapovalov
Steen Kirby: Paire got lucky when Andy Murray withdrew, but Shapovalov claimed a high quality win against Jeremy Chardy in round 1. Off the back of that solid win I’ll back the Canadian to reach the third round and continue his run of form. Shapovalov in 4
Eric Han: Both players are so unpredictable on when they are going to bring their ‘A Game’ onto the court, especially Paire. However, I could envisage an upset here and see the Frenchman knocking out the seeded Shapovalov. Paire in 4
Yesh Ginsburg: Shapovalov wasn’t perfect in his opening match, but he did more than enough to beat a veteran opponent. Now he gets a powerful but temperamental Paire. Paire can win if he plays out of his mind, but don’t expect it. Shapovalov in 4
Taylor Fritz vs Alexander Zverev
Steen: Fritz has talent but Zverev is simply a cut above despite both players being from the same generation. Zverev actually had a routine first round slam match and Zverev has yet to post elite results in slams. Zverev in 3
Eric: This is the battle of the Next-Gens. The big-serving and all power game from the German would be too much for Fritz to handle on this surface. However, as Zverev has not performed as well in slams compared to other ATP tournaments, a lapse of concentration from Zverev might give Fritz a set. Zverev in 4
Yesh: Will Zverev finally get over his Grand Slam struggles? If he is tense, then rising young American Taylor Fritz may be able to capitalize. Zverev in 5
Damir Dzumhur vs Ernests Gulbis
Steen: Gulbis admitted he was nervous in his round 1 match that resulted in a 5 set victory. Dzumhur backed up a title in Antalya with a routine round 1 win. Gulbis won’t be fresh and his nerves should get the best of him. Dzumhur in 3
Eric: Gulbis struggled last round and managed to win in five sets, hence his fitness is a big question mark. Dzumhur, on the other hand, has just won a grass court title in Antalya last week and won easily last round, hence must be feeling confident about his grass court game at the moment. Dzumhur in 3
Yesh: Dzumhur is a quiet talent, who doesn’t make waves but wins matches. Gulbis has a ton of talent but never put it together. He’s always a threat, though, so anything can happen here. Dzumhur in 4
Juan Martin Del Potro vs Feliciano Lopez
Steen: Lopez is one of the best grass court players of his generation, but Del Potro is playing really well right now. Lopez will pressure him and this will be a tough match to win, but given I expect Del Potro to perhaps win this title, he needs to at least survive this match and continue his good form. Del Potro in 5
Eric: Del Potro and Lopez have met a total of seven times, and the Argentine leads their head-to-head record by 4-3. The pair has not met on grass before, but del Potro looked sharp last round and I would expect him to continue this momentum to progress. Del Potro in 4
Yesh: Del Potro is just too good right now. He couldn’t beat Nadal at the French (no one can), but he is playing some of the world’s best tennis in the biggest moments right now. Del Potro in 3
Kei Nishikori vs Bernard Tomic
Steen: Tomic has all the talent to win this and Nishikori is not near his best. That said Tomic will have to sustain focus and form over (potentially) 5 sets against a player who hits cleanly from the baseline and extends rallies to the point of frustrating his opponents. I don’t think this matchup is a good fit for Tomic to spring the upset. Nishikori in 5
Eric: Arguably, the grass is Tomic’s favorite surface as he reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals back in 2011, whereas Nishikori’s best result is the fourth round. However, Nishikori has been on form lately and I believe his experience can edge him over the finish line. Nishikori in 4
Yesh: Tomic actually looked like he cared in his first match, and was rewarded with a quick victory. Nishikori struggled against an injured (again) Christian Harrison. This spells trouble. Tomic in 4
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