Wimbledon R2 previews and predictions: Shapovalov vs. Nakashima, Van de Zandschulp vs. Ruusuvuori

Canadian Denis Shapovalov will go up against American Brandon Nakashima in round two at Wimbledon on Thursday afternoon. Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp will also be in action against Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori.

(13) Denis Shapovalov vs. Brandon Nakashima

Canada’s Denis Shapovalov was a 2021 semifinalist at the All-England Club. The world No. 16 lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in what is his best slam result to date. But he comes into this event on a miserable run. Until his first-round win this week, a tough 5-setter against Arthur Rinderknech, the Canadian had not won a single match since he made the quarters in Rome. This includes a trio of grass-court losses in Stuttgart, at Queen’s Club, and in Mallorca last week. He lost to the likes of Oscar Otte, Tommy Paul, and Benjamin Bonzi. To say that he hasn’t been playing well would be understating the case.

World No. 56 Brandon Nakashima has posted solid results on grass this season. He made the quarters in s’-Hertogenbosch and successfully qualified and won his first round match in Eastbourne. While it’s by no means a done deal, Thursday’s match against Shapovalov is winnable for Nakashima. The American has had plenty of warmup matches and Shapovalov is rather notably off his game. Expect a close one, with Nakashima pulling it out.

Cheryl pick: Nakashima in 4

Ricky pick: Nakashima in 5

(21) Botic van de Zandschulp vs. Emil Ruusuvuori

Botic van de Zandshculp and Emil Ruusuvuori have already met on grass in 2022. Finland’s Ruusuvuori won in 3 on van de Zandschulp’s home turf in s’-Hertogenbosch. It’s hard to read too much into that as the first match the Dutchman played after transitioning from clay. He proved his grass-court mettle a week later with a semifinal showing at Queen’s Club.

Ruusuvuori also had a good result at Queen’s Club a couple weeks ago. He successfully qualified then made the quarterfinals, where he lost to Marin Cilic (Cilic is out of Wimbledon due to Covid-19). The world No. 49 dispatched Yoshihito Nishioka in the first round this week.

This is another match that could be close and entertaining. Although Ruusuvuori won just a few weeks ago, in best of five Van de Zandschulp should have the edge.

Cheryl pick: Van de Zandschulp in 4

Ricky pick: Van de Zandschulp in 4