One of the marquee matchups on Thursday at the All-England Club is a second-round showdown between French Open semifinalist Jakub Mensik and former Wimbledon semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov. Gabriel Diallo and Lorenzo Sonego are also in action.
(15) Jakub Mensik vs. (WC) Grigor Dimitrov
Something will have to give when Mensik and Dimitrov square off for the third time in their careers on Thursday at Wimbledon. Mensik owns a huge edge in current form, but Dimitrov has a significant advantage on grass. Another check mark in the Czech’s favor is a 2-0 head-to-head series lead, with both victories coming at 2024 Masters 1000 tournaments — 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-3 in Madrid and 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in Shanghai.
The All-England Club marks the scene of Dimitrov’s most recent injury, when the Bulgarian infamously led eventual champion Jannik Sinner two sets to love only to be felled by a sudden pectoral injury. He has since been unable to regain that form. Dimitrov is just 5-9 on the main tour this season and owns zero top-50 victories, although the 35-year-old at least did well to defeat qualifier Dane Sweeny 7-6(4), 6-3, 7-5 on Tuesday. It was survive and advance for Mensik, who scraped past British wild card Toby Samuel 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(10-7). The 20-year-old has played just 16 grass-court matches in his entire career, but the reality is that his game should be tailor made for it. This match will be on Mensik’s racket; if he has even a decent serving day, the 15th seed should prevail.
Pick: Mensik in 4
Gabriel Diallo vs. Lorenzo Sonego
Not too much unlike Mensik, Diallo was two points away from bowing out of the event. However, the 88th-ranked Canadian survived a third-set tiebreaker against Benjamin Bonzi 7-5, forced a fifth, and then got a retirement from the Frenchman. Diallo was more lucky than good, but a comeback from two sets down regardless of the circumstances should arm him with confidence moving forward. The 2025 ‘s-Hertogenbosch champion is back on his favorite surface and finally starting to play some solid tennis this season.
Up next for Diallo on Thursday is a second meeting with Sonego, who won their only previous encounter in a 7-6(5), 2-6, 7-6(7) thriller at the 2025 Aukland tournament. That match could not have been any closer, and Diallo actually won more points than his opponent (114 to 110), so it’s not like he has to change anything stylistically for the rematch. Facing what is probably a worse version of Sonego should also help the 24-year-old. Sonego peaked at 21st in the rankings but currently finds himself at No. 69. The 31-year-old Italian is just 6-9 at the ATP level this season even after beating Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-6(4) on Tuesday. Diallo is arguably the better grass-court player and he is in slightly better form, so look for him to advance.
Pick: Diallo in 4
WWW?
Mensik in 4; Diallo in 4
Sonego over Diallo in 5