Steve Harrington previews day one action at Wimbledon, held at the All England Club in London. Read on to find the complete analysis together with the best bet of the day for Monday 1st July and three more bets which can form an accumulator made of four selections (including the best bet of the day). Don’t miss out on the best offers and prices as selected by our experts to maximise your tennis betting value.
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Wimbledon Day One Betting Tips
Cristian Garin vs. Juncheng Shang
One of the most intriguing matchups today features Cristian Garin against Juncheng Shang. Despite the bookmakers presenting this as an evenly matched contest, Garin appears to have the upper hand. Having recently navigated through qualifying rounds with ease, losing just one set, Garin’s history at Wimbledon is notable. In 2022, he reached the quarter-finals, defeating formidable opponents like Alex de Minaur. His consistent performance on grass and recent ATP Tour semi-final appearances in Estoril and Munich bolster his chances.
Conversely, Shang has struggled to find his footing this season. With only three tour-level wins since January and a lacklustre performance on grass, his recent losses to lower-ranked players like Jacob Fearnley and Billy Harris highlight his vulnerabilities. Garin’s experience and form make him a solid contender in this clash.
Mattia Bellucci vs. Ben Shelton
Another match to watch is between Mattia Bellucci and Ben Shelton. Shelton’s recent form on grass has been concerning, with a dismal 1-3 record in warm-up matches. His loss to Paul Jubb, ranked outside the top 250, underscores his struggles. Despite possessing a powerful serve, Shelton’s inconsistency, particularly on his second serve, has been his Achilles’ heel.
In contrast, Bellucci has shown promise, coming through the qualifying rounds and securing a notable victory over David Goffin. His recent performance in the Nottingham Challenger, reaching the semi-finals, adds to his confidence. While facing Shelton’s serve will be a challenge, Bellucci’s preparation and recent form give him a fighting chance to cause an upset.
Alex Bolt vs. Casper Ruud
The match between Alex Bolt and Casper Ruud presents another fascinating narrative. Ruud, primarily a clay-court specialist, has had limited success on grass. His career record on this surface stands at a modest 4-7, with no matches played this year. Despite his impressive clay season, culminating in a semi-final appearance at the French Open, Ruud’s transition to grass has historically been challenging. His previous Wimbledon outings have been underwhelming, including a defeat to British wildcard Liam Broady last year.
Bolt, on the other hand, thrives on grass. With an 18-2 record on the surface this year and back-to-back titles in Mildura and Swan Hill, Bolt enters this match with confidence. His recent qualifying round performances, including a comeback from two sets down, highlight his resilience and adaptability. Bolt’s grass-court expertise makes him a formidable opponent for Ruud.
Matteo Berrettini vs. Marton Fucsovics
The contest between Matteo Berrettini and Marton Fucsovics promises to be a tightly contested affair, particularly in the first set. Berrettini’s grass-court prowess is well-documented, with a 94% serve hold rate in recent matches. His consistency on this surface makes him a tough opponent to break. Fucsovics, however, is no stranger to success on grass, having reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2021. His strong serve and recent form suggest that the first set could extend beyond the usual games, making a tie-break a plausible outcome.
Alexander Bublik vs. Mackenzie McDonald
Alexander Bublik’s confidence will be sky-high following his recent title win at Halle. His victims in that tournament included top seeds such as Borna Coric, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Andrey Rublev. This string of victories suggests Bublik is in excellent form, and his entertaining style, characterised by showboating and flair, could be a crowd-pleaser at Wimbledon. Mackenzie McDonald, while having achieved some respectable results on grass, does not possess the same level of momentum and confidence as Bublik.
Borna Coric vs. Guido Pella
Borna Coric makes his return to Wimbledon for the first time since 2018, arriving in good form following his recent performances on the ATP Tour. His exhibition wins over Alexei Popyrin and Sebastian Korda at the Hurlingham Club highlight his grass-court capabilities. On the other hand, Guido Pella has struggled significantly on grass, with a record of six losses out of his last seven matches on this surface since 2019. Coric’s current form and Pella’s struggles make this an interesting matchup to watch.
Liam Broady vs. Constant Lestienne
Liam Broady, buoyed by the home crowd support, looks to replicate his success from last year, where he reached the third round. His recent performances on grass, including pushing Adrian Mannarino to a deciding set at Queen’s Club, demonstrate his potential. In contrast, Constant Lestienne has been in poor form, losing 13 of his last 16 matches. Broady’s familiarity with the surface and home advantage could play a significant role in this encounter.
John Isner vs. Jaume Munar
John Isner, known for his towering serve, reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2018. Although age might be catching up with him, his serve remains a formidable weapon on grass. Jaume Munar, with only one win in 11 competitive grass-court matches, faces a tough challenge against Isner. The American’s ability to dominate with his serve makes him a favourite in this match.
Sloane Stephens vs. Rebecca Peterson
Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, appears to be on the verge of a resurgence. Her recent run to the fourth round of the French Open indicates a return to form. Rebecca Peterson, however, has struggled on grass, losing her last six matches on this surface. Stephens’ experience and current form make her a strong contender in this opening-round match.
Daria Kasatkina vs. Caroline Dolehide
Daria Kasatkina is considered a dark horse at Wimbledon following her runner-up finish at Eastbourne to Madison Keys. Her solid performance on grass positions her well against Caroline Dolehide, who has lost her last six grass-court matches. Kasatkina’s confidence and form suggest she should comfortably progress to the next round.
Shuai Zhang vs. Donna Vekic
Donna Vekic has recently returned to form, finishing as the runner-up to Petra Kvitova in Berlin. Her strong performance there highlights her potential to dominate her opening-round match against Shuai Zhang. With Zhang struggling to find her best form, Vekic is expected to advance.
Sofia Kenin vs. Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff, a semi-finalist at Eastbourne, is well-prepared for a deep run at Wimbledon. The crowd favourite in London, Gauff has consistently performed well in Grand Slams, making at least the quarter-finals in three of her last five appearances. Sofia Kenin faces a daunting task against Gauff, whose form and popularity make her a strong favourite.
Predictions and Rationale for Day 1 At Wimbledon – Monday
Best Bet of the Day: Cristian Garin to Beat Juncheng Shang
Garin’s solid performance in the qualifying rounds and his impressive track record at Wimbledon make him a strong favourite against Shang. His quarter-final appearance in 2022 and his ability to perform under pressure on grass enhance his prospects. Shang’s recent struggles, especially on grass, further tilt the scales in Garin’s favour. This bet offers a balanced risk-to-reward ratio, making it the best bet of the day.
Mattia Bellucci to Beat Ben Shelton
Bellucci’s recent form, including a significant win over David Goffin and a semi-final run in the Nottingham Challenger, positions him well against Shelton. Shelton’s inconsistent serve and poor grass-court performance create an opportunity for Bellucci to secure an upset. The odds of 5/2 provide an attractive return for this potential surprise.
Alex Bolt to Beat Casper Ruud
Bolt’s expertise on grass and his remarkable 18-2 record this season make him a strong candidate to overcome Ruud. Despite Ruud’s high ranking and success on clay, his lack of preparation and historical struggles on grass diminish his chances. Bolt’s confidence and adaptability on this surface offer a substantial edge, making this a value bet.
Over 36.5 Games in Matteo Berrettini vs. Marton Fucsovics
Berrettini’s formidable serve and Fucsovics’ strong performance on grass suggest a closely contested match. With both players capable of holding their serves effectively, the likelihood of a tie-break increases. This bet capitalises on their serve strength and the potential for an extended first set, offering good value.
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