Ricky Dimon of the Grandstand and Tennis Acumen‘s Pete Ziebron make their picks for four of the best matchups on Wednesday at Wimbledon. Up-and-coming stars Stefanos Tsitsipas and Jared Donaldson will square off, while Philipp Kohlschreiber is facing fellow veteran Gilles Muller.
(31) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Jared Donaldson
Ricky: For true diehard fans of the game who are intrigued even by players outside the top 30, this is a good as it gets. Both Tsitsipas and Donaldson look like locks to be future stars on the tour, and the present isn’t too bad either. Donaldson has already been around and successful for a while, while Tsitsipas’ rise has been rapid. Although the American has more experience on grass, the Greek plays on it as if he has been doing it his whole life. This will be a fun one. Tsitsipas in 4: 5-7, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4.
Pete: Despite the fact that Tsitsipas had to qualify last year at Wimbledon, he is seeded this time. Following an impressive clay-court season that included wins over a pair of top-10 players, the young Greek backed it up with some competitive play on grass heading into the Championships. Donaldson is also appearing in just his second Wimbledon and reached the third round last summer. The respective trajectory of both players will continue to spike upward this year and onward. Having been around the block last year at Wimbledon will be the difference in this match, as the 21 year-old American gets the better of the the 19-year-old to once again reach the last 32. Donaldson in 4: 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4).
(25) Philipp Kohlschreiber vs. Gilles Muller
Ricky: On this surface and at this tournament, peak Muller is the winner of this matchup. Peak Muller, however, has not been on display in 2018 and wasn’t in a five-set first-round win over Michael Mmoh. But that doesn’t mean Muller won’t bring his best to the table in round two and beyond. The Luxembourgian is no stranger to early five-set scares at Wimbledon, having defeated Santiago Giraldo 15-13 in the 2016 first round before ousting Lukas Rosol 9-7 in the second round last summer and eventually reaching the quarterfinals. Muller in 5: 7-6(3), 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 9-7.
Pete: Muller reached the quarterfinals last year following his second career title a few weeks earlier in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. On Monday, the 35-year-old Luxembourgian crushed 36 aces en route to a five-set victory in the opening round. Since reaching the Wimbledon quarters in 2012, Kohlschrieber has managed to win just one match at the Championships and his straight-set victory in the opening round ended a four-match losing streak at the All-England Club. The German has won both previous meetings with Muller and did not drop a set in either match. Muller fully recognizes that his ranking will plummet without this victory and as a result, he simply wants this match more than his opponent. Muller 7-6(3), 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5).
(11) Sam Querrey vs. Sergiy Stakhovsky
Ricky: Calling these guys Wimbledon legends may be a bit of a stretch, but both veterans are outstanding grass-court players who own famous victories at the All-England Club. Although neither one is at his best right now, this should still be a good one. Stakhovsky won the Ilkey Challenger last month and held off Joao Sousa in five sets on Monday. Querrey reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2016 and the semis in 2017. He simply thrives at this tournament. Querrey in 4: 7-5, 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(4).
Pete: Both Querrey and Stakhovsky have enjoyed their most memorable victories at Wimbledon. Stakhovsky defeated Roger Federer in 2013, while Querrey beat Novak Djokovic in 2016 when the Serb all four major titles. The American followed that up by dismissing then-world No. 1 Andy Murray in last year’s quarterfinals. Stakhovsky’s prep work heading into the Championships included playing three grass-court Challengers, and he won in Ilkey–dropping just one set en route to the title. Querrey owns 10 career titles, including winning on grass at Queen’s Club in 2010. Ironically, the two met at Wimbledon eight years ago, with Querrey winning when Stakhovsky retired in the third set down two sets to love. The American is 10-2 in his last 12 matches at Wimbledon and is seeking another deep run. Querrey in 3: 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
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(9) John Isner vs. Ruben Bemelmans
Ricky: Isner would never root against Steve Johnson, but he certainly won’t mind not having to meet Johnson in round two. Not only is having to face a good friend difficult, but Isner is 0-4 in his last four matches against Johnson. Whatever the case, this is now Isner vs. Bemelmans after the Belgian preceded his country’s epic World Cup win with an 8-6 in the fifth set victory over Johnson. This will be a tough one for the 6’10” American, who has never fared particularly well against lefties. But Isner conserved energy with a routine first-round win and Bemelmans may be somewhat gassed. Isner in 4: 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(5).
Pete: Bemelmans just barely missed the cut for direct entry, but the No. 2 qualifying seed won all seven sets he played–including a sweep of Bernie Tomic in the final round. The fact that he had to play nearly four hours of tennis in the opening round against Johnson will not help his cause against another American, Isner. Meanwhile, Isner cruised in straight sets to open his Wimbledon campaign and certainly hopes to advance past the third round for the first time this year. Earlier this year, Isner won his maiden Masters 1000 title in Miami. Another first, playing on the second Monday at Wimbledon, is certainly a strong possibility this season. Isner in 3: 7-6(6), 6-4, 7-6(3).
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who ya got?
Isner is so bad at rallies
Isner in three, Muller in five, Querrey in three, Tsitsipas in five
Go Muller!