The top half of the draw takes the court at Wimbledon as Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz faces Tallon Griekspoor and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina battles Jiri Vesely. Davidovich Fokina upset Hubert Hurkacz in the first round.
(5) Carlos Alcaraz vs. Tallon Griekspoor
Alcaraz, the 19-year-old who took the first half of the tennis season by storm, didn’t have an easy time of it in his first-round match against Jan-Lennard Struff. The German veteran pushed Alcaraz to five sets, as the No. 5 seed struggled to find his footing on grass.
Asked about his performance on Monday, Alcaraz said, “I like to play on grass. I would say my level on grass has to improve a little bit. But I’m happy with my level today.”
Indeed he will need to improve as he faces the Griekspoor on Wednesday. Griekspoor took out the Italian veteran Fabio Fognini in four sets to earn his spot in the second round. The 53rd-ranked Dutchman has a fistful of first and second-round results in the majors and things aren’t likely to improve this fortnight. While Alcaraz looked vulnerable against Struff, he has a habit of following up a shaky performance with a more convincing one. Expect to see a somewhat improved Alcaraz on Wednesday.
Cheryl pick: Alcaraz in 4
Ricky pick: Alcaraz in 4
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs. Jiri Vesely
There have been plenty of surprises at the All-England Club in the first two days of play, but perhaps none more so than Davidovich Fokina’s wild, some might even call ridiculous first-round win over Hubert Hurkacz. There was the almost win in straight sets. Davidovich Fokina lay waste to the match points, the first of which was completely unnecessary tweener. There was Hurkacz’s break lead (twice!) in the fifth set–and 7-4 advantage in the tiebreaker. Yet it was the Spaniard who finally prevailed 7-6(8) in the fifth.
Davidovich Fokina, who was knocked out of the French Open in the first round, will face Vesely in the second round. The two men have never met before. Vesely is ranked 68th in the world with a 5-9 match record. He took out Argentine Federico Coria in the first round.
Wimbledon has traditionally been Vesely’s best major. In a sea of otherwise poor results at the four slams, he has a pair of fourth-round showings at the All-England Club. Despite his otherwise poor results, this match might be an entertaining battle. Davidovich Fokina should get through but not without a fight from Vesely.
Cheryl pick: Davidovich Fokina in 4
Ricky pick: Davidovich Fokina in 5
Alcaraz in 4….and I really like this ADF guy…in 3.
Alcaraz is so good on the big points, nerves of steel. I love the self confidence that being young brings. I stopped watching Andy, after it was clear he would lose, and started watching this one. so much more relaxing and some fine tennis.