While there are still a few Round One games to be finished off, due to poor weather on Day One, the experts here at SportsTips are already looking ahead to some of the key match ups for Round 2. Like in any Grand Slam, there were some pretty big shocks out of the first round.
One of the biggest shocks was Stefanos Tsitsipas being knocked out in the first round in straight sets, by none other than unseeded red hot American, Frances Tiafoe! As well as this, Serena Williams’ quest for another Grand Slam title was cut dramatically short on Day Two, when she rolled her ankle on the slippery Centre Court, and had to retire hurt.
With so much drama already in the first two days, we are expecting more of the same again as we head into the second round. Enjoy our free tennis picks and predictions for each round of the 2021 Wimbledon tournament.
Round 2 Tennis Picks For Wimbledon: Men’s
Novak Djokovic (1) vs Kevin Anderson
Tennis fans are in for a treat with this clash between Novak Djokovic and Kevin Anderson, as it is a repeat of the 2018 Wimbledon Final. The Serb is on the hunt for his third Grand Slam title this year, winning both the Australian and French Open earlier in the year.
After a shaky start, Djokovic is into the second round here at Wimbledon. Djokovic dropped the first set to Jack Draper, but the young Brit was not able to maintain that fantastic level, and Djokovic was able to win the next three sets to book a place in the second round.
This lovely lady made my day. Honoured 🙌🙏 #nolefam https://t.co/lsce8zb3qo
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) June 29, 2021
Like Djokovic, Anderson dropped the first set to his first round opponent, but was able to claim the next three sets for a victory on the grass. Anderson has been plagued with injuries since he reached the final at Wimbledon back in 2018, and he is certainly not the same player. Despite this, his game is suited to the grass, thanks to his big serve.
This clash will be the 12th time the pair have played each other, with Djokovic having the clear upper hand, 9-2. When looking at their previous meetings on grass, the pair have met 3 times, with Djokovic winning on all occasions. Anderson will look to use his big serve to take each set deep, but Djokovic is simply the more well rounded player in this matchup.
Tennis Pick: Set 1 Total Games – Over 9.5 (+108)
Oscar Otte vs Andy Murray
While this game is between two unseeded players, we just couldn’t resist taking a closer look, with former Wimbledon champ, Andy Murray. He is back on the court again, and not to mention the fantastic performing in the first round against the 24th seed! Oscar Otte and Murray meet in the second round at Wimbledon on Centre Court.
Qualifier Otte has spend a lot of time already on the courts of Wimbledon, making it through three round of qualifying, where he knocked out the 21st and 5th seed to claim his spot in the main draw. He hasn’t wasted his opportunity, by winning his first round clash with Rinderknech. Although this game went to five sets, with a tie break needed in the fifth to determine a winner, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6(5)-7(7), 13(7)-12(2).
Murray’s first round match wasn’t as dramatic as Otte’s but he still had all the fans cheering as he won the match in four sets. Murray had a massive lapse in concentration in the third set, after being up 5-0, and ended up losing that set 5-7. The crowd will be firmly set on Murray’s side as he makes another run for Wimbledon glory after being sidelined by hip and groin injuries so a significant period of time.
If Murray can keep his body and concentration in check, then we think he will come out victorious and make his way into the third round. However, Otte will not go down without a fight, as we saw in his first round match, he just won’t give up until the very end. So, we do like the look of him to pinch at least one set of the Brit.
Tennis Pick: Total Sets – Over 3.5 (-196)
Roger Federer (6) vs Richard Gasquet
Roger Federer and Richard Gasquet will meet once again, this time on the grass courts of Wimbledon. Federer was in for a fight in the first round thanks to his tough opponent, Mannarino. However, Mannarino slipped over on the Centre Court and had to retire hurt (just like Serena Williams on the same court) after the fourth set was won by Federer.
It was a very lucky break for Federer, who’s forehand was misfiring all over the place in the first round clash. He will need to be at the top of his game as he meets Gasquet in the next round. The pair have met 20 times on the court, with Federer in a completely dominant position, 18-2. Federer has won the last 10 meetings between the pair, and won both games they have played at Wimbledon (in 2006 and 2007).
“My English is not good enough!”
Even at 39, you never stop learning – right, @rogerfederer?#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/5BALP53NDA
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 29, 2021
Gasquet has a fairly straightforward opening round, although he did drop one set against Sugita. The affair was very stop start, thanks to the poor weather on Day 1 of the Championships. Gasquet did end up getting the victory, despite having over 30 unforced errors for the match.
Both players have a pure style of racket skills, and should be one of the most interesting games of the round. While Federer is into the second round, his first round clash was anything but convincing. His form as of late is questionable, and we like the look of an upset here. Now, with Federer the -480 favorite, we will be looking to another safer bet, just incase the Swiss-master does pull it out of the hat.
Tennis Pick: Total Sets – Over 3.5 (-146)
Round 2 Tennis Picks For Wimbledon: Women’s
Katie Boulter vs Aryna Sabalenka (2)
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka will take on Katie Boulter in the second round as Sabalenka looks to progress into the third round at Wimbledon for the first time in her career. Boulter managed to out American Lao in the first round in three sets. She has been battling injuries recently, but is currently on her way back up.
Boulter made the quarterfinals at Nottingham and was rewarded with a wildcard in to the main draw at Wimbledon. She made the second round of Wimbledon back in 2018, but had yet to repeat that effort until now. Boulter will face a much tougher opponent in Sabalenka in the second round.
The world number four and second seed had an easy first round encounter, dropping only five games to make it to the second round. The pair have only played each other once before, with Sabalenka getting the victory at the Australian Open in 2019, 6-3,6-4, in the second round.
Even though the crowd will be on the Brit Boulter’s side, we just don’t think that will be enough to get her over the line here. Sabalenka will need to improve her serve if she wants to get another comfortable win under her belt here and Boulter will need to get a fast start if she stands any chance.
Tennis Pick: Set Betting – Aryna Sabalenka 2-0 (-300)
Ons Jabeur (21) vs Venus Williams
With Venus Williams’ sister, Serena, withdrawing from her first round match due to an ankle injury, all the Williams’ camp hopes now rest with the older sister. Young gun Ons Jabeur is Williams’ next opponent, and it is expected to be a pretty tough match. Jabeur breezed through her first round match, 6-2, 6-1, but will come up against the experience of Williams.
Jabeur has so much power in her game she was able to dispatch her opponent Peterson very quickly. The 25 year old is coming into Wimbledon with some form, as she won the Birmingham Classic two weeks ago, which just happened to be her first WTA title!
Playing in her record 90th Grand Slam event, 41-year-old Venus Williams begins her 23rd (!) #Wimbledon beating Mihaela Buzarnescu 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to reach the 2nd round! 👊🏾💥💪🏾🇺🇲💃🏾
Up next: No. 21-seed Ons Jabeur. pic.twitter.com/rpKZYLHWt1
— Luis. (@serenapower_) June 29, 2021
Williams didn’t have such a smooth ride into the second round, it took three sets to beat her opponent, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. But it was a win nonetheless, her 90th win at Wimbledon, to be exact. There is no doubt that Wimbledon is the tournament that Williams has the most success in, and it was just a few years ago, in 2017, where she was in the final.
So who do we go with here – power or experience? This is a tricky one as you should never bet against Williams, especially here at Wimbledon, but Jabeur has youth and power on her side, not to mention the confidence of an easy win in Round One.
Tennis Pick: Both Players To Win A Set – Yes (+210)
Elena Vesnina vs Cori Gauff (20)
Elena Vesnina will face off against the 20th seeded American Cori Gauff in the second round. Vesnina had a fairly easy first round match against Trevisan, winning 7-5, 6-1. Although in this match Vesnina didn’t capitalize on all her chances, as she only converted 5/15 of her break points. If she converted better, the scoreline could have been even more lopsided in her favor!
Vesnina’s first serves were on fire, as her percentage was 80%. Although, if you look back to her overall record for 2021, you will notice a couple of things. Firstly, she hasn’t played many games, and secondly, she hasn’t won many games. Well, it is hard to win lots of games when you don’t play that many! So far in 2021 she has played only five games, and won just two of them.
Gauff also had a fairly easy ride into the second round taking out her opponent Jones in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4. Gauff and Vesnina are yet to play each other, so this will be a very interesting match, especially in the first couple of games. Looking at Gauff’s 2021 results, she has played a lot more games, and had a pretty good win-loss record, 29-11. Although she has only played three times this year on grass, with that record sitting at 2-1.
We simply cannot go past Gauff for this match, and she is the clear favorite here, at -710. While those odds are way to short, we are looking for other value bets, we are liking the look of Gauff to win in straight sets. Gauff’s power and match experience this year will be too good for Vesnina.
Tennis Pick: Set Betting – Cori Gauff 2-0 (-220)
If you are interested in more news for Wimbledon then make sure you visit our tennis hub page, we’ve got all the details you need!
*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
