Matteo Berrettini kicks off his 2022 Wimbledon campaign against Cristian Garin on Tuesday, while fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti battles top American Taylor Fritz. The first round is wrapping up at the All-England Club.
(8) Matteo Berrettini vs. Cristian Garin
Matteo Berrettini comes into Wimbledon as the most in-form grass courter on the men’s tour. The world No. 11 won the tune-up events in Stuttgart and Queen’s Club. This notable achievement is even more impressive, as Berrettini is just back from hand surgery. He has not lost a match since his return three weeks ago.
Conversely, Cristian Garin hasn’t won a match on grass yet this season. Efforts in Halle and Eastbourne resulted in a pair of first-round exits. The Chilean is 12-15 on the season, with most of his wins coming on clay. Garin made the round of 16 at the All-England Club last year, but other than that result it has been all first-round exits for the world No. 43.
Berrettini has played a lot of tennis in the past few weeks, but he had last week off, so Garin won’t be able to count on fatigue to help him out on Tuesday. Expect the Italian to make quick work of Garin.
Cheryl pick: Berrettini in 3
Ricky pick: Berrettini in 3
(11) Taylor Fritz vs. Lorenzo Musetti
Top-ranked American Taylor Fritz will begin his Wimbledon campaign with plenty of confidence. The world No. 14 just won the title in Eastbourne a couple days ago. He also took home his first Masters 1000 title earlier this year, though he contested the final against Rafael Nadal, who was nursing a cracked rib.
Fritz will take on Lorenzo Musetti, one of a crop of talented youngsters coming out of Italy. Musetti is ranked 70 in the world. Unlike his big-serving, heavy hitting countryman Matteo Berrettini, Musetti is more comfortable on clay. He has not, in fact managed to win a tour-level grass court match in three tries. He has a pair of first-round losses this season in Stuttgart and at Queen’s Club.
Fritz should not have difficulty getting past Musetti. The Italian has almost no experience on grass, while Fritz has a pair of titles on the lawn.
Cheryl pick: Fritz in 3
Ricky pick: Fritz in 3
WWW?
well, so much for that!
Y isn’t Rafa@s thread working?!!!