By Matthew Marolf
At the start of this fortnight, there were 109 Major singles titles represented in the singles draws, Despite many former champions bowing out in the first round, we still have 91 of those championships present as the second round commences.
53 of those titles are owned by “The Big Three.” It’s now been 17 years since someone not named Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, or Murray claimed the gentlemen’s singes trophy. That seems unlikely to change this year, but who will step up to challenge those all-time greats in this tournament?
Karen Khackanov (10) vs. Feliciano Lopez
It’s the Paris Indoors champ from last fall against the Queen’s Club champ from just 10 days ago. Khachanov won both of their previous meetings, including earlier this year in Indian Wells, though both matches were played on hard courts. The 37-year-old Spaniard set a record on Monday by appearing in his 70th consecutive Grand Slam singles draw. Wimbledon has been his best Major in his career, having reached the quarterfinals three times, though not since 2011. Lopez was actually a double champion at Queen’s Club last month: not only prevailing in the singles event, but also teaming with Andy Murray to take the doubles title.
Meanwhile the 23-year-old Russian struggled this season after winning his first Masters 1,000 event to close out 2018, with almost as many losses as wins in the first six months of this year. He did however gain some traction by advancing to his first Major quarterfinal last month at Roland Garros. While low-bouncing grass courts would normally favour the slicing and serve-and-volleying of Lopez, the 6’6” Khachanov is no slouch on the grass, and will like hearing the reports of the ball bouncing higher than usual on these courts. This could easily become an extended affair, which might also favor the significantly younger No.10 seed. I give him the slight edge to overcome Feliciano on this day.
Sofia Kenin (27) vs. Dayana Yastremska
There are few WTA players with more confidence right now than Kenin. The 20-year-old American upset Serena Williams at the French Open, then saved three match points against Belinda Bencic to win her second title of 2019 on the grass of Mallorca. In her second round, she faces a 19-year-old Ukranian who is a former junior Wimbledon finalist.
And Yastremska also has two titles in 2019, having won in both Hua Hin and Strasbourg. That Strasbourg run included wins over Aryna Sabalenka and Caroline Garcia. On Monday, Dayana took out the always-dangerous Camila Giorgi in her Wimbledon main draw debut. Both of these players prefer to go for their shots and dictate play, so the one who maintains the lower unforced error count will likely prevail. In what could be a preview of a matchup for years to come, the more experienced Kenin is the favourite.
Stan Wawrinka (22) vs. Reilly Opelka
At the only Major he’s never won, Wawrinka could be a force on these slower-paced grass courts if he can reach the second week. Stan was twice a quarterfinalist here, in 2014 and 2015, but is a meek 3-4 here since that time. And the 6’11” 21-year-old American is not an easy draw on this surface regardless of how the courts are playing. Opelka can be an acing machine, and easily won his Wimbledon debut on Monday in straight sets.
Earlier this year, he won his first ATP title at the New York Open. Reilly is a player that could be a force at SW19 in the future. But for now, Wawrinka will cherish the small amount of extra time these courts will allow to return Opelka’s booming serves, and should find his way through this tricky second round opponent. If he does, he may face Milos Raonic on Friday in a blockbuster third round matchup.
Anastasija Sevastova (12) vs. Danielle Collins
It will be the in-your-face style and power game of Collins against the oft-negative attitude and stylish guile of Sevastova. The 25-year-old American had never won a match at a Major prior to her surprising run to the Australian Open semi-finals six months ago. Sevastova also reached her first Slam semi-final within the past twelve months, though she’s been a consistent presence on tour for several seasons now.
Collins has been unsuccessful in following up on her Melbourne result, only once winning back-to-back matches since January. She has a losing career record on grass, while Anastasija has 19 wins on this surface since 2016. The defence and slicing of Sevastova should be enough to curtail Collins’ offense and force enough errors for the Latvian to reach the third round of Wimbledon for the first time.
Daniil Medvedev (11) vs. Alexei Popyrin (Q)
Medvedev has become one of the ATP’s strongest performers, and currently sits in sixth place in the year-to-date rankings. Over the past twelve months, he’s accumulated 57 match wins, which includes three titles. The 6’6” Russian has a game well-suited for grass, and is coming off a semi-final appearance two weeks ago at Queen’s Club.
His 19-year-old opponent made his first impression on the tennis world six months ago in his home country of Australia, where he upset Dominic Thiem and pushed Lucas Pouille to five sets. In a straight sets win on Monday over Pablo Carreno Busta, Popyrin hit 56 winners and won 87% of first serve points. Alexei possesses enough power where he can dictate the outcome here, but the challenge will be maintaining a high level for three sets against a steadier player the calibre of Medvedev.
Other notable matches on Day 3:
Defending champion Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Denis Kudla, a 26-year-old American who reached the fourth round here in 2015.
Last year’s finalist Kevin Anderson (4) vs. 35-year-old Janko Tipsarevic, who claimed a five-setter over Yoshihito Nishioka on Monday.
Karolina Pliskova (3), who already has three titles in 2019, vs. 2016 OIympic gold medalist Monica Puig. Pliskova has claimed all four of their previous meetings.
Simona Halep (7) vs. fellow Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu, who has just eight match wins since injuring her ankle in Montreal last August.
Monday’s biggest headline-maker Coco Gauff (Q) vs. 2017 semi-finalist Magdalena Rybarikova. Can the 15-year-old build upon her breakout win over Venus Williams?
