American hopeful Frances Tiafoe will kick off his 2023 Wimbledon bid against China’s Yibing Wu. A potential blockbuster matchup between Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Arthur Fils is also on the books for Tuesday.
(10) Frances Tiafoe vs. Yibing Wu
American Frances Tiafoe has become a force to be reckoned with on grass. The world No. 10 won his maiden grass-court title a few weeks ago in Stuttgart in a thriller of a match over German veteran Jan-Lennard Struff. He made some noise at last year’s Championships, losing a round of 16 heartbreaker to Belgian David Goffin. Tiafoe lost early at Queen’s Club to compatriot Sebastian Korda, but that was as much due to fatigue (from Stuttgart) as it was to the quality of Korda’s own grass-court game.
China’s Yibing Wu won his first ever tour-level title earlier this year in Dallas, but the world No. 62 hasn’t fared quite as well on grass. He has a single match win over a hobbled and rusty Nick Kyrgios in Stuttgart and his other two tournaments resulted in first-round ousters.
This one should not be a massive battle for Tiafoe. He is now a seasoned grass-court player and his early loss at Queen’s Club means he should be well rested for Wimbledon.
Cheryl pick: Tiafoe in 3
Ricky pick: Tiafoe in 4
(31) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs. Arthur Fils
Wimbledon boasts plenty of early-round thrillers each year. This first-round encounter between Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Arthur Fils has the makings of one. Fils, the French 19-year-old newcomer, has delivered a breakthrough season. The world No. 61 won his first title on the clay courts of Lyon in May. He has shown plenty of potential as a future French star, although he is still waiting for his first breakthrough on grass.
Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is no grass-court giant himself. The No. 31 seed is 0-2 on grass this season and it is by far his least successful surface. His physical game has not translated well to the lawns; the quick, low-bouncing surface robs him of time and his serve is not a big enough weapon to earn him free points frequently enough.
This is an opportunity for Fils to get some revenge for the four-set exit Davidovich Fokina handed him at Roland Garros a month ago. This one could go either way, but with ADF’s lack of form at the moment the edge may go to Fils for the upset.
Cheryl pick: Fils in 5
Ricky pick: Davidovich Fokina in 5
WWW?
Tiafoe in 3…ADF in 4.