With Wimbledon still trying to catch up from a rainy first week, the Friday schedule is jam packed. Alex de Minaur and Matteo Berrettini clash in the second round and Andrey Rublev will take on David Goffin in the third.
(15) Alex de Minaur vs. Matteo Berrettini
Italy’s Matteo Berrettini has had a rough year. A year ago the world No. 38 was ranked 11th and he had won two grass tournaments on the trot (Stuttgart and Queen’s Club). He got unlucky with a positive COVID-19 test prior to Wimbledon, so he was unable to play the Championships in 2022.
Things went sideways quickly in 2023 for the Italian. He was an anemic 7-7 coming into Wimbledon, with no wins on grass. In fact, his first victory of the year on his best surface came on Thursday with a competitive four-set defeat of countryman Lorenzo Sonego. By contrast, Alex de Minaur has had a solid 2023 and has performed well on grass so far. The Aussie, ranked 17th in the world, snagged the title in Acapulco and made his way to the finals of Queen’s Club a couple weeks ago.
De Minaur and Berrettini have played just twice before, with the two men splitting the wins at 1-1. Given De Minaur’s current form and Berrettini’s lack of consistency, the Aussie should prevail.
Cheryl pick: De Minaur in 5
Ricky pick: De Minaur in 4
(7) Andrey Rublev vs. (WC) David Goffin
Russia’s Andrey Rublev has a good shot at making the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, where he is projected to run into defending champion Novak Djokovic. If he manages it, it will be his best result ever at the All-England Club. His previous best was a fourth-round showing back in 2021. Rublev was not permitted to participate in 2022, as all Russian players were subject to a blanket ban due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
David Goffin was issued a wild card into this year’s Championships. The veteran has seen his ranking dip to 123rd in the world and he has spent a good bit of his season on the Challenger circuit. Despite his disappointing 2023 campaign, he has made the most of his wild-card opportunity by advancing to the third round with wins over Fabian Marozsan and Tomas Barrios Vera.
It’s likely Goffin’s run will end here. Despite the fact that the Belgian made the quarterfinals in last year’s edition, he simply isn’t playing well enough to defeat a player of Rublev’s caliber. Expect Rublev to sail through.
Cheryl pick: Rublev in 3
Ricky pick: Rublev in 3
WWW?
Demon in 4; Rublev in 3….but everybody will be watching the continuation of Murray-Tsi!!!!
Looks as if handsome has found his game.