Photo Source: Rob Newell / Camera Sport
It’s like Christmas eve for grass court tennis fans: the release of the singles draws leaves us with a blueprint for a dreamy Wimbledon fortnight, as we learned possible pitfalls and mouthwatering matchups that could define these Championships.
With the 128-player draw hot off the presses, let’s look at some of the popcorn first-rounders we’ll be watching out for..
Alexandra Eala vs Barbora Krejcikova
Alexandra Eala has blossomed on the grass, and the 20-year-old Filipina is into her first career final at Eastbourne on Saturday. After that she’ll switch venues and prepare to face Barbora Krejcikova on Centre Court on Tuesday, as she tries to knock out the defending women’s champion for the second year in a row.
Last year Marketa Vondrousova fell to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro to become the first woman to fall in the first round of a Wimbledon title defense since Graf in 1994. Will lightning strike twice at SW19?
Alexander Bublik vs Jaume Munar
Alexander Bublik is the man of the hour right now. The surging 27-year-old was the feelgood story of Roland-Garros, where he reached his first quarterfinal and then provided the world with candid commentary, as he broke down his journey and shared his philosophy of life with the world.
Simply put, there’s no one like this guy. And there aren’t many with as much talent. He’ll try to put it to good use against a feisty Jaume Munar, who has been very solid this year on all surfaces. Should be a better-than-expected scrap, as Munar has shown tons of grit this season – he has five Top 20 wins and nine against the Top 50.
Coco Gauff vs Dayana Yastremska
Gauff owns a 3-0 lifetime edge over Yastremska but the American was bageled in the first set by the Ukrainian in their last meeting. The pair have never met before on grass, and it’s a surface that Yastremska really likes, so this could end up being a tense struggle if reigning RG champion Gauff is feeling the nerves.
Taylor Fritz vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard spoiled Sebastian Korda’s Wimbledon last year when he blasted 51 aces to defeat the 20th-seeded American in five sets. Fifth-seeded Taylor Fritz will have to protect his serve like a boss to get through this tricky encounter with the bomb-serving Frenchman, but it should be said the Mpetshi Perricard has not been having a great year and he was only 1-2 on grass this summer.
Petra Kvitova vs Emma Navarro
Two-time champion Kvitova will make her final Wimbledon appearance this year, and her first-round opponent is no pushover. Navarro reached the quarterfinals last year. If Kvitova, who won her Wimbledon titles in 2011 and 2014, can summon the magic of yesteryear this could be an incredible match. No matter what happens in the contest, emotions will be on high as one of the most beloved Wimbledon champs – and players on the WTA tour – makes her last pilgrimage to tennis Mecca.
Novak Djokovic vs Alexandre Muller
Not exactly a barn burner, but it’s Novak Djokovic, the 38-year-old legend who is bidding to win an eighth Wimbledon title this year. All eyes will be on the Grand Slam king to decipher his form. Muller has one Wimbledon win to his name and hasn’t won a match on grass this season. Nevertheless, we’ll be glued.