Wimbledon R2 previews and predictions: Federer vs. Gasquet, Dimitrov vs. Bublik

Roger Federer will be back in action at the All-England Club when he faces familiar foe Richard Gasquet on Thursday. The second-round schedule also includes a showdown between Grigor Dimitrov and Alexander Bublik.

(6) Roger Federer vs. Richard Gasquet

At 39 years old, Federer may need an assist if he wants to go seriously deep in a major–perhaps even win a 21st major title. The Swiss got one on Tuesday at Wimbledon, as he trailed Adrian Mannarino two sets to one when the Frenchman slipped on the grass and sustained a knee injury that forced him to retire prior to the fifth. Overall it was a lackluster performance by Federer, who has played only nine matches in 2021 (6-3 record; 3-0 at the French Open and 3-3 everywhere else).

The good news for Federer is that next up for him in the second round on Thursday is Gasquet, who is getting destroyed 18-2 in the head-to-head series. That includes a pair of straight-set drubbings at the All-England Club (2006 first round and 2007 semifinals). Gasquet took care of Yuichi Sugita in four sets on Tuesday, but he is also well into his 30s (35) and is well past his prime in terms of form. The 56th-ranked Frenchman is even more of a question mark from a physical standpoint than Federer is, so you have to like the No. 6 seed’s chances.

Pick: Federer in 3

Alexander Bublik vs. (18) Grigor Dimitrov

Dimitrov and Bublik will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers on Thursday. Their only previous encounter did not disappoint, as Bublik survived a 5-7, 7-6(9), 7-6(3) thriller at the 2019 Chengdu event.

It would be a bit of a surprise if this one is similarly competitive, but not in favor of the seeded player. Although Dimitrov is still ranked 21st in the world because of the points restructuring, he hasn’t been in great form for more than a year now. Bublik, on other hand, is playing the best tennis of his career in 2021. The 38th-ranked Kazakh has won 23 matches this season, including a 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 beatdown of compatriot Mikhail Kukushkin on Wednesday. Bublik is the far more confident player and his serve works extremely on grass, so this should be mostly straightforward.

Pick: Bublik in 4