Expect plenty of entertaining tennis on day one at Wimbledon. 64 players will be battling for a place in the second round and, as ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Taylor Fritz vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Frances Tiafoe vs Elmer Moller, Carlos Alcaraz vs Fabio Fognini, Joao Fonseca vs Jacob Fearnley, Holger Rune vs Nicolas Jarry, Matteo Berrettini vs Kamil Majchrzak, and Alexander Zverev vs Arthur Rinderknech. But who will advance?
Wimbledon Day 1 Predictions
Daniil Medvedev vs Benjamin Bonzi
Jim: It has been a frustrating season for Daniil Medvedev but he showed some form in reaching the final in Halle, even if he will have been frustrated to have lost that match to Alexander Bublik. It looks increasingly unlikely that he will add to his won Slam, but even if his days at the very top of the game are behind him, he should still have the beating of Benjamin Bonzi.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Damian: Medvedev might have a great chance to rebuild at this event and desperately needs to avoid another quick Slam exit. It seems like his draw could allow him that as he’s been spared the prospect of facing any of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, or Jack Draper until the semifinals. After a solid warm-up swing with a final in Halle, he shouldn’t lose to Bonzi here.
Prediction: Medvedev in 4
Ilemona: Bonzi can be tricky on grass with his flat shots and good touch in the forecourt, but he’s had a rough season with injuries. Medvedev doesn’t love the surface, but he’s been grinding out wins. If Bonzi starts fast, it might get interesting.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
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Roberto Bautista Agut vs Cameron Norrie
Jim: This has the makings of a close contest, but Roberto Bautista Agut has to be accounted the favourite. He is at his best on grass and has rolled back the years over the last few weeks with some very impressive wins. Cameron Norrie has a very good record at Wimbledon, but might be running into Roberto Bautista Agut at a bad time.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 4
Damian: Bautista Agut is one of the veterans who regained some of their past ability on grass this year and the former Wimbledon semifinalist has been a pleasure to watch again. Norrie made the final four at SW19 in the past too, but I’d trust the flat forehand and intelligent tennis of the Spaniard a little bit more.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 4
Ilemona: Bautista Agut has put together a solid grass-court swing and looks sharper than he has in months. Norrie hasn’t found much rhythm lately, but he’s always a tough out. If it turns into a physical battle, expect long rallies and momentum shifts.
Prediction: Norrie in 5
Christopher O’Connell vs Adrian Mannarino
Jim: Once upon a time, Adrian Mannarino would have been the heavy favourite here. But age is catching up with the Frenchman, who has lost half a step. He is clearly still a tricky customer on the grass, but Christopher O’Connell’s languid style should ensure he is better-prepared than most to face up to Mannarino.
Prediction: O’Connell in 4
Damian: Mannarino seemed one foot out the door for most of this season, but he’s still got the magic on grass. He’d probably like to face someone a bit more power-oriented than O’Connell as the Australian shouldn’t just slip into a thousand errors when faced with Mannarino’s unusual style. But the king of flat-hitting certainly has a shot here.
Prediction: Mannarino in 4
Ilemona: Mannarino’s feel and lefty angles always give him a chance on grass. O’Connell hits a clean ball, but this surface suits the Frenchman more. If he controls the tempo, he should be tough to break down.
Prediction: Mannarino in 4
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Gabriel Diallo vs Daniel Altmaier
Jim: Gabriel Diallo’s win in Den Bosch might not have vaulted him into the ranks of Wimbledon contenders, it’s not unthinkable that he will feature amongst the challengers in the years to come. In the here and now, he should also have enough to beat Daniel Altmaier, who doesn’t have much of a record on this surface.
Prediction: Diallo in 3
Damian: Diallo’s been very good these last couple of months, including his first ATP Tour title in ‘s-Hertogenbosch on grass. While Altmaier likes his Grand Slam upsets (see Roland Garros), he’s far less of a threat on this surface. The kind of tennis he plays and his defensive positioning just gets punished in a way that’s not possible on clay or even hard courts.
Prediction: Diallo in 4
Ilemona: Grass isn’t the most comfortable surface for either of them, which should make this a close battle. Diallo’s serve gives him a slight edge, but Altmaier is solid and won’t give much away. Could come down to a few key points.
Prediction: Diallo in 4
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
