Wimbledon Day 1 Men’s Predictions Including Alexander Zverev vs Arthur Rinderknech

A number of the world’s best are set to open their Wimbledon campaigns on day one at the Championships. 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, Daniil Medvedev vs Benjamin Bonzi, Joao Fonseca vs Jacob Fearnley, Holger Rune vs Nicolas Jarry, Matteo Berrettini vs Kamil Majchrzak, and Carlos Alcaraz vs Fabio Fognini. But who will book their spot in the second round?

Wimbledon Day 1 Predictions

Alexander Zverev vs Arthur Rinderknech

Jim: Arthur Rinderknech looks well-suited to grass-court tennis and played well in reaching the quarterfinals at Queen’s Club. Which means that this won’t be an easy first round for Alexander Zverev who has never quite come to grips with Wimbledon (despite a solid record on this surface elsewhere). But Rinderknech’s record against the world’s best is very poor. Zverev should have enough to come through this match.

Prediction: Zverev in 3

Damian: No doubt Wimbledon isn’t Zverev’s favorite Grand Slam, but if he’s ever going to make a quarterfinal here, this could be the year. Rinderknech has the tools to punish his too defensive approach to the game, it’s just that the Frenchman hasn’t been executing his style well enough this season. Might get messy, but Zverev likely pulls through.

Prediction: Zverev in 4

Ilemona: Rinderknech has the serve to cause problems, especially on grass, but Zverev’s baseline game can neutralize pressure when he’s locked in. If it stays on serve, things could get tight. A fast start will be key either way.

Jiri Lehecka vs Hugo Dellien

Jim: Jiri Lehecka should win this comfortably. Hugo Dellien’s propensity for taking big cuts at the ball means he is fundamentally ill-suited for playing on grass. Lehecka takes big swings himself, but has faster hands than the Brazilian and is less easily rushed as a result.

Prediction: Lehecka in 3

Damian: On paper probably one of the biggest mismatches of the round on this surface. Lehecka just reached the Queen’s Club final and once again deserves the nod as a potential dark horse at a Grand Slam event. We’ll see what he does with it in the long term, but he should definitely beat Dellien who hasn’t won a set in the Wimbledon main draw in three attempts.

Prediction: Lehecka in 3

Ilemona: Grass isn’t Dellien’s surface, and Lehecka’s aggressive style gives him a clear edge here. Still, early rounds can throw up surprises if focus wavers. If Lehecka keeps his foot on the gas, he should control the tempo.

Prediction: Lehecka in 3

Dusan Lajovic vs Billy Harris

Jim: It’s been a slightly disappointing stretch for Billy Harris, but Dusan Lajovic isn’t the player he once was and even at his best, he was more comfortable on slower surfaces. The Serbian is still a sweet timer of the ball but Harris should be able to exploit his movement (or lack thereof).

Prediction: Harris in 4

Damian: Harris failed to defend his points from last year’s grass season and his opportunity to crack the top 100 is seemingly gone. Or is it? The Brit was fortunate here as Hurkacz’s withdrawal set up a meeting with Lajovic, whose all-time career record on grass stands at 8-26. It’s now or never for Harris, who can’t afford to lose matches like this.

Prediction: Harris in 4

Ilemona: Harris has looked sharp in the lead-up and enjoys the faster courts, while Lajovic is more at home on clay. If Harris serves well, he’ll have plenty of looks. This one may come down to who handles the bigger points better.

Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Valentin Royer

Jim: Stefanos Tsitsipas’ brief revival thanks to a racket change has not seemed to last and this looks like a tough test after Valentin Royer’s excellent run through the qualifying. The Frenchman might be overpowered, but if he can draw enough errors from Tsitsipas’ racket, he might just be able to pull off the upset.

Prediction: Royer in 5

Damian: The times when Tsitsipas was one of the players everybody talked about as a contender before a Grand Slam are gone (at least for now) and who knows, maybe the Greek can use that position and attack again when nobody expects it. Should he beat Royer? Yes, but presently the confidence that Tsitsipas will get through a match comfortably is tough to find.

Prediction: Tsitsipas in 4

Ilemona: Royer will be excited for the occasion, but Tsitsipas has too much firepower if he keeps his game clean. Grass still isn’t his most natural surface, though, so there could be a few tense moments. Royer’s best chance is to keep it close early.

Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3