Queen’s Club R1 previews and predictions: Berrettini vs. Evans, Tiafoe vs. Wawrinka

Matteo Berrettini rides into Queen’s Club with the Stuttgart title and grass-court confidence. He will face Britain’s own Dan Evans in the first round on Tuesday afternoon. Frances Tiafoe and Stan Wawrinka will also be in action.

(2) Matteo Berrettini vs. Daniel Evans

A few months ago, Matteo Berrettini went under the knife to have surgery on his right hand. The Italian missed the European clay swing in recovery, but he roared back with a vengeance last week in Stuttgart. The world No. 10 carved his way through a rough draw to capture the title on Sunday over Andy Murray.

Berrettini’s big game is always a threat on grass, but he comes into Queen’s Club with a title and what appears to be a clean bill of health. While he is still shaking off the rust of his several-month layoff, he is one of the pre-tournament favorites despite what could be a tricky first-round match.

He will take on his 2021 Queen’s Club quarterfinal opponent Dan Evans. The Brit had a poor start to the year, but he came on last week at the Nottingham Challenger–taking the title over Jordan Thompson. Evans will have the crowd on his side, but Berrettini is the better grass-court player and he won last year’s encounter at Queen’s.

Cheryl pick: Berrettini in 2

Ricky pick: Berrettini in 2

Frances Tiafoe vs. (PR) Stan Wawrinka

It has been a long road to recovery for Stan Wawrinka. The Swiss veteran has had a pair of foot surgeries and only found his way back on tour this April. He sits at protected ranking of 290th in the world. He owns a 2-3 record this year, with his two wins coming on the clay courts of Rome. Queen’s Club will be his first grass tournament of the year.

Wawrinka runs into world No. 27 Frances Tiafoe in the first round on Tuesday. The two men have met twice before, with Wawrinka taking both matches. That was prior to his surgeries however, and Wawrinka is nowhere near the form he enjoyed even a couple of years ago.

Tiafoe is a good grass-court player. He captured the Nottingham Challenger title last year and upset Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round at Wimbledon shortly thereafter. Although the American hasn’t had a spectacular first half of 2022, he should get through this one over a rusty Wawrinka.

Cheryl pick: Tiafoe in 2

Ricky pick: Tiafoe in 2