Friday, September 20, 2024

Wimbledon Day 2 Men’s Predictions Including Holger Rune vs Kwon Soon-woo

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Expect plenty of entertaining tennis on day two at Wimbledon. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Comesana, Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Taro Daniel, Alexander Zverev vs Roberto Carballes Baena, Hubert Hurkacz vs Radu Albot, Andy Murray vs Tomas Machac, Alex de Minaur vs James Duckworth, and Novak Djokovic vs Vit Kopriva. But who will advance?

Wimbledon Day 2 Predictions

Sebastian Korda vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Jim: Sebastian Korda looked to have picked up an ankle injury at Queen’s, delivering a below-par performance as he lost to his countryman Tommy Paul in the semifinals. He may have been hoping for a kind draw to allow him to work his way into the tournament, but has not been given a potentially tough day against the big-serving, hard-hitting Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. But the Frenchman doesn’t have much experience on the grass yet.

Prediction: Korda in 4

Damian: Korda might be a proper dark horse for this year’s Wimbledon unlike last year when he announced himself as one of the favourites (and lost in his first match). Mpetshi Perricard’s big game could make him a threat, but if Korda gets through, he’ll probably end up going deep.

Prediction: Korda in 4

Yesh: Korda loves the grass but hasn’t been healthy in a while. He looks okay now, though. Mpetshi Perricard is a rising future star (very near future), but his lack of experience on grass gives the American the advantage.

Prediction: Korda in 4
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Holger Rune vs Kwon Soon-woo

Jim: Holger Rune has the tools to succeed on the grass, but has yet to really find his feet on the surface. Kwon Soon-woo might just be smelling an upset as a result. But the 26-year-old South Korean comes into the match having not played any grass-court tennis this year and might just be in danger of being caught cold himself.

Prediction: Rune in 3

Damian: Rune was in the quarterfinals last year and while his consistency has taken a step back since the 2023 season, it’s not going to be that easy to beat him. Kwon playing on and off like he’s been recently probably doesn’t have a great chance to pull this off.

Prediction: Rune in 3

Yesh: Rune has to find his footing on all surfaces to really join the ranks of the great. Facing Soon-woo Kwon is a solid enough prospect to make his start at Wimbledon.

Prediction: Rune in 3

Emil Ruusuvuori vs Mackenzie McDonald

Jim: Mackenzie McDonald has played a full grass-court schedule but the American, usually assured on the surface, has been playing without his usual conviction. But Emil Ruusuvuori has not impressed either over the last few weeks. This could well go either way, but McDonald has a much better career record on the grass, which might just prove to be the difference.

Prediction: McDonald in 5

Damian: Two players who could use a win for different reasons. Ruusuvuori’s form has been poor the last few months and McDonald hasn’t been doing any better since the injury. The American is usually the more capable grass-courter, but it’s his opponent who seems a little bit more reliable at the moment.

Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 5

Yesh: What could have been for Ruusuvuori. He looked ready to take the Tour by storm but has never been the same since the COVID break. Meanwhile, McDonald’s career has come in stops and starts. He’s never achieved what looked possible when he stunned everyone by qualifying for Cincinnati over a decade ago. He’s a solid enough player, but not the special one we expected.

Prediction: McDonald in 5

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Jaume Munar vs Billy Harris

Jim: This looks like a good opportunity for Billy Harris to maintain his recent winning form. His accurate serve and big forehand make him well-suited for grass-court tennis – Jaume Munar’s counter-punching style translates rather less well. If Harris can find anything like his best tennis, he should have the edge here.

Prediction: Harris in 4

Damian: What a season it’s been for Harris and particularly on grass he’s earning massive points for his ranking (was already a match away from a top 100 debut). The Brit can carry that momentum to Wimbledon and what can help him is getting one of the most clay-oriented players in the whole draw.

Prediction: Harris in 4

Yesh: Munar loves clay and defense. It’s not a good setup to play on grass, especially not against this opponent.

Prediction: Harris in 3

Main photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

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