Former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini will continue is 2026 campaign against Frenchman Arthur Fils during second-round action on Thursday, while grass-court specialist Adrian Mannarino takes on Australia’s Alex de Minaur.
(5) Alex de Minaur vs. Adrian Mannarino
Alex De Minaur breezed through his opener against Roman Andres Burruchaga following a shaky tiebreak start, dropping just one game across the last two sets. He reached the quarterfinals here in 2024 and arrives this year with a Libema Open final and a Queen’s Club quarterfinal already banked on grass. Adrian Mannarino is a different puzzle than most second-round opponents, though. The 38-year-old lefty has reached the fourth round three times at the Championships — he is the rare player who does his best work on grass.
De Minaur leads the head-to-head series 5-1, including a 6-4 6-0 win over Mannarino at the Libema Open just last month — and De Minaur has defeated the Frenchman in two of their three meetings on grass. The flat, low-bouncing lefty can trouble players who like rhythm, and De Minaur admitted himself this week that Mannarino is one of the toughest reads on this surface. I still expect the class gap and the recent scoreline to hold, but Mannarino’s grass instincts should get him to a set. Look for De Minaur to make his way into the third round.
Cheryl pick: De Minaur in 4
Ricky pick: De Minaur in 3
Matteo Berrettini vs. (20) Arthur Fils
Berrettini needed four hours and nineteen minutes and four tiebreakers to see off Stan Wawrinka in the first round, closing it out 6-7(7), 7-6(16), 7-6(7), 7-6(5). It was as much a statement as a survival act; he fired 29 aces and faced only two break points the entire match. Grass has always brought out the best in Berrettini. He is a former Wimbledon finalist and owns a 44-12 record on the surface for his career. Fils, seeded 20th, is still working his way back into rhythm following an injury that cost him a shot at the French Open. His grass credentials are a bit thinner by comparison, although he reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year and cruised past Raphael Collignon in straight sets to open this one.
Their only previous meeting ended early with a Berrettini retirement in Tokyo two years ago, so there’s not much to lean on there. Conditions this week look dry and warm, which should suit both of their flatter, first-strike games and keep points short. The bigger question is whether four hours on court against Wawrinka leaves any legs for Berrettini by the third set. I think his serve carries him through the tense moments regardless.
Cheryl pick: Berrettini in 4
Ricky pick: Berrettini in 5
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Fils over Berrettini in straights
I got Fils. The best bet is over 41.5. each win a set should do it.
Fils vs Berrettini is hard to pick. It’s the battle of the walking wounded 2 guys who are almost always injured. Matteo has the track record at Wimbledon and grass but his best results were achieved a few years ago. Fils hasn’t played much on grass, nonetheless he has a lot of potential if he stays fit.