It promises to be an entertaining second day at Wimbledon. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Holger Rune vs Kwon Soon-woo, Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Taro Daniel, Alexander Zverev vs Roberto Carballes Baena, Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Comesana, Andy Murray vs Tomas Machac, Alex de Minaur vs James Duckworth, and Novak Djokovic vs Vit Kopriva. But who will reach the second round?
Wimbledon Day 2 Predictions
Hubert Hurkacz vs Radu Albot
Jim: Radu Albot has had a very fine career, and it is a testament to his work ethic and competitive instinct that he is still competing at the highest level. But does he have any chance against Hubert Hurkacz? You would not have thought so.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
Damian: Hurkacz is treated as a big contender for this event, maybe not to win but to go deep. With these sort of expectations, he really can’t afford to lose before the second week. He’s disappointing in some Slams before (see here two years ago), but in the matchup vs Albot on grass he’d only really have himself to blame if he went out.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
Yesh: Hurkacz is a natural grass courter and an underrated top player to boot. He’ll go far this Championships.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
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Karen Khachanov vs Aslan Karatsev
Jim: It has been a below-par year for Aslan Karatsev and the Russian finds himself on the cusp of dropping out of the world’s top 100 as a result. Similar could be said of Karen Khachanov’s season, but the 21st seed is operating at a different level to his countryman. Khachanov might not go deep at Wimbledon this year, but he should have the beating of Karatsev.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Damian: Karatsev doesn’t have a lot of match rhythm yet, but he can be extremely dangerous on the day even without it. Tough to say what he’ll bring to this matchup but maybe with Khachanov in such mediocre form, a chance opens up for the underdog? He needs to perform at a very good standard though.
Prediction: Karatsev in 5
Yesh: This battle of the big-hitting Russians could be amazing. Don’t be surprised if it’s one of the best fights we see all fortnight. I’ll go with the one who’s more consistent and has more variety, plus more experience on bigger stages.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Yoshihito Nishioka vs Nuno Borges
Jim: Anything other than a victory for Yoshihito Nishioka would be a surprise here. The Japanese comes into the match in fine form, whereas Nuno Borges has looked less than entirely comfortable on the grass over the last few weeks. One to file as a learning experience for the Portuguese.
Prediction: Nishioka in 3
Damian: Nishioka had just one tour-level win on grass prior to Eastbourne, but maybe with that extra confidence he can get something out of his game on this surface now. It’s not like Borges is a particularly capable grass-courter either, so last week going that well for Nishioka probably puts him slightly ahead of the Portuguese.
Prediction: Nishioka in 5
Yesh: Borges might like clay best, but his experience in NCAA tennis exposes him to a lot more playing styles. That gives better adaptability to the grass. Is it enough to deal with the ever-solid Yoshihito Nishioka? Maybe.
Prediction: Nishioka in 5
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Marcos Giron vs Henry Searle
Jim: Marcos Giron scored one of the bigger wins of his careers a fortnight ago in Halle, beating Andrey Rublev in the first round, and he backed that up with a run to the quarterfinals. Young gun Henry Searle will have the crowd right behind him, but this will almost certainly be a challenge too far for the 18-year-old.
Prediction: Giron in 3
Damian: Searle completely deserved the wildcard with his Wimbledon junior title last year and promising performances in the grass swing. But this just might be too much for him right now. Giron has been somewhat under the radar but really flying of late and is just such an extremely solid, all-rounded player.
Prediction: Giron in 4
Yesh: Giron is quietly a solid player, and he always seems to bring his most consistent tennis to Grand Slams. He’s got another second- or third-round in him this week, I think.
Prediction: Giron in 4
Main photo credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports