Novak Djokovic’s status as defending Wimbledon champion means the top half of the draw will get things started on Monday. Djokovic kicks off his campaign against Philipp Kohlschreiber, while Alexander Zverev faces Jiri Vesely.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber
Djokovic and Kohlschreiber will be squaring off for the 13th time in their careers when they clash in the Wimbledon first round on Monday afternoon. The head-to-head series stands at 10-2 in Djokovic’s favor, but Kohlschreiber’s second victory came earlier in 2019 at the Indian Wells Masters via a 6-4, 6-4 decision. The German also cruised 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 at the 2009 French Open. But to say that the tide turned on clay this spring would be a gross understatement. Djokovic restored order by prevailing 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in Monte-Carlo and then destroying Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-0 in Rome.
With the top-ranked Serb’s motivation level obviously heightened at a major, more dominance can be expected. That is exactly what transpired at the All-England Club in 2015, when Djokovic cruised 6-4, 6-4, 6-4–also in the opening round. The world No. 1 is defending his 2018 title this fortnight and he has plenty of momentum from the clay-court swing, during which he won the Madrid title, finished runner-up in Rome, and reached the Roland Garros semis (lost to Dominic Thiem in five sets). With Kohlschreiber 0-2 so far on grass in 2019, this should be a beatdown.
Pick: Djokovic in 3 losing 8-10 games
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(Q) Jiri Vesely vs. (6) Alexander Zverev
Zverev has still never advanced to a major semifinal, but this time around he would not have to go through Djokovic in the quarters like he did–or failed to do–at the French Open. The fifth-ranked German also finds himself in the top half of the draw, but the 1-4 seed in his section is a rusty and vulnerable Kevin Anderson. As such, this is a huge opportunity for Zverev. Can he capitalize on it? Both current form and past history at slams do not inspire much confidence, as the sixth seed lost his Stuttgart opener to Dustin Brown and then fell to David Goffin in the Halle quarters.
Up first for Zverev on Monday is Vesely, whom he has never faced. It has already been a productive stay in London for the 108th-ranked Czech, who did not drop a set in qualifying while getting the best of Simone Bolelli, Andrian Menendez-Maceiras, and Tommy Paul. In fact, not a single set was more competitive than 6-4. Still, Vesely owns just one victory over anyone in thee top 65 since Wimbledon last summer. This is not the easiest of first-rounders for Zverev, but the step up in competition level for Vesely is steep.
Pick: Zverev in 3
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Djokovic in 3, Zverev in 5 – it’s what he does.
Vesely is a bit of a mystery to me. He’s a big guy but doesn’t have a big game. I’ve seen him play some great tennis, but lately he hasn’t been as good. This is the sort of match that Zverev should take it straights, but I think Jiri gets a set; Zverev in 4. In the other match, I don’t think Djokovic will mess around. As long as he’s focused it should be an easy 3 set victory.
Yeah, Sascha will lose a set at least but win in the end.
Sascha in 4
Novak in 3
Djokovic in 3 losing 8-10 games (Kohlshcrieber has dropped his bundle and hasnt shown anything on grass this season either. There’s a bit of revenge factor still lurking so doubt this is a match where Djokovic loses focus).
Zverev in 4 (Grass is probably Vesely’s best surface and Zverev is Zverev)
Kohl will get a set….Zv in 3.