We’ll see half of the first round on day two of Wimbledon, which means a whopping 32 matches in the men’s singles. And as always, our LastWordOnTennis team will give you our thoughts on each match. We’ve split the 32 matches into eight articles, with other articles covering Alexander Zverev vs Alexander Bloxx, Ben Shelton vs Otto Virtanen, Alexander Bublik vs Thanasi Kokkinakis, Alex de Minaur vs Roman Andres Burruchaga, Matteo Arnaldi vs Quentin Halis, Frances Tiafoe vs Terence Atmane and Jakub Mensik vs Toby Samuel. These matches are predicted by Amanda Bergman, Sizu Harbor and Tope Oke. Who do you think will advance?
Forecasts for the second day of Wimbledon
Vit Kopriva vs Jan Choinski
Amanda:
Both Vit Kopriva and Jan Choinski have played well on grass this season, setting up an interesting fight in the first round. Neither has much experience in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament and they have never played each other before, which opens up unexplored horizons for both. Kopriva is having a better season and comes into the match with more momentum, so he has a slight advantage.
Forecast: Nettle and 5
Shizu:
Vit Kopriva has had a couple of good victories on grass courts, despite being the most experienced on clay. Against Choinski he will be playing against an invigorated Briton who is near the end of his career and has had some good wins on the surface. Choinsky will be quite confident that he can do something here in front of his people, and I think so too.
Forecast: Choinsky in 5
Top:
Vit Kopriva has shown flashes of form but his Wimbledon record remains empty with two first-round exits continuing. Jan Choinski, meanwhile, is gaining momentum and knows he feels like a second round on grass after 2023. With a 2-1 head-to-head advantage and the energy of the home crowd behind him, Choinski should win a tight match.
Forecast: Choinsky in 5
Daniel Altmaier vs Alex Molcan
Amanda:
Daniel Altmaier performed well in Halle and proved his quality on grass, but his last match ended in elimination, opening the door for Alex Molcan. However, Altmaier managed to recover and did not submit an application for withdrawal from the game, and if he is healthy, then he is a clear favorite in this match.
Prediction: Altmaier in 3
Shizu:
I believe Almayer comes into this with a stronger performance and more convincing ability on the grass. I think Molkan could take the set, but that’s all I can do. I expect the German to be better at important junctions.
Prediction: Altmaier in 4
Top:
Alex Molcan reached the third round here four years ago, but his performances on grass have all but stalled. However, Daniel Altmaier looks different this summer under the guidance of Dustin Brown. If fitness allows, Altmaier is the clear favorite, and if he moves freely, Molkan’s limited form makes him a tough sell, which could frustrate him.
Prediction: Altmaier in 4
Mackenzie McDonald vs Patrick Kipson
Amanda:
Patrick Kipson hasn’t played since Rome and Mackenzie MacDonald has picked up a few reps since the French Open to qualify after dropping just one set. MacDonald is in the rhythm of his tennis and Kipson is sure to be rusty, so MacDonald has a chance to take advantage of that.
Prediction: MacDonald in 4
Shizu:
It’s an all-American affair, but that’s about as far as the similarities go as both players approach it at different speeds. It’s MacDonald who arrives with enthusiasm and that should translate onto the courts in what should be a fairly comfortable experience for the older American.
Prediction: MacDonald in 3
Top:
Patrick Kipson takes to the Wimbledon main draw stage for the first time with more question marks on his hands than on the qualifying sheet, no competitive tennis since Rome, an abdominal strain that cost him Roland Garros and zero grass-court miles in his legs. MacDonald, on the other hand, is a clear and battle-tested performer, qualifying with excellent efficiency, and his run to the round of 16 in 2018 proves he knows how to navigate this surface. Barring a dramatic fight against rust from Kipson, whose only ATP scalp this year was de Minaur in Mexico, McDonald’s momentum should prevail.
Prediction: MacDonald in 3
Stan Wawrinka vs Matteo Berrettini
Amanda:
Matteo Berrettini’s matches are always affected by injuries, but if he is healthy, Stan Wawrinka, who is on the verge of retirement, will not be able to beat Berrettini at Wimbledon. Berrettini hasn’t played on grass yet, but these are the courts he strives to succeed on and are much less physically demanding than clay. Wawrinka could take the set, but it’s hard to imagine him maintaining a high level long enough to win this match.
Prediction: Berrettini in match 4
Shizu:
On a surface that brings out the best in Berrettini without requiring much from the Italian’s frail frame, and against a player like Wawrinka, who is essentially on his farewell tour, there is only one possible outcome. The crowd will do everything they can to encourage the retiring Swiss, but unless Berrettini returns to full fitness, it should be a clean sweep.
Prediction: Berrettini in match 3
Top:
Stan Wawrinka’s Wimbledon farewell puts him head-to-head with a familiar opponent, Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 finalist whose booming serve and grass-court instincts make him the clear favorite here. The Italian arrived with questions after retiring due to injury at Roland Garros but was cleared to play and Wimbledon, where he reached the final five years ago, tends to bring out the best in him. Wawrinka, aiming for victory in the only Grand Slam that has eluded him, has the pride and game to steal the set but expects Berrettini to take the lead.
Prediction: Berrettini in match 5
Main photo credit: Mike Frey, USA TODAY Sports