Fans were finally treated with a full day of tennis on Thursday at Wimbledon, and we'll be hoping for the same tomorrow. With some blockbuster matches on the horizon, the day is set to be thrilling with a mix of second and third round matches.
In one of the highest caliber second round matches I have seen, the speedy Alex de Minaur takes on the resurgent Matteo Berrettini. Then Jannik Sinner battles the sneaky-good Quentin Halys.
Here are my picks and analysis for these headliners.
Note: Match times are subject to change. Read here for tips on viewing Wimbledon matches.
Friday Wimbledon Predictions
De Minaur (-162) vs Berrettini (+134)
7:15 a.m. ET
A Wimbledon showdown between former finalist Matteo Berrettini and seasoned grass-courter Alex de Minaur promises high-octane tennis. Despite his underdog status, Berrettini's lethal power game could very well lead to an upset against the fast-moving de Minaur.
Following a period marred by injuries, Berrettini's form has been a matter of concern, even causing him to withdraw from a pre-Wimbledon tournament. However, the Italian's opening round win over Lorenzo Sonego suggested the return of his formidable form. Berrettini's serve and forehand, which once propelled him to the Wimbledon final, showed signs of their previous relentlessness. Not facing a break point until the fourth set is an impressive feat that underscores the potency of his serve.
On the other side of the court, de Minaur boasts a proven record on grass, with his precise movement and rock-solid brand of tennis often causing havoc for opponents. His defensive prowess is second to none, but every defense has its limitations.
Berrettini's power game might just be the kryptonite to de Minaur's defensive prowess. The Italian's blistering forehands and serves, if executed well, could break down de Minaur's defenses. Moreover, Berrettini will be keen to exploit de Minaur's slightly weaker second serve, providing him opportunities to assert control over the rallies.
While it's true that Berrettini has been shaky in the build-up to Wimbledon, his first-round performance hints at a return to form. As he continues to regain his rhythm, his powerful strokes become an increasingly daunting prospect for any opponent.
In this clash of styles, I am leaning towards Berrettini's raw power trumping de Minaur's sturdy defense. Berrettini, warmed up and with his weapons firing, could very well be the dark horse of this year's Wimbledon. His journey to return to his best is underway, and that could spell trouble for Alex de Minaur in their upcoming duel.
Pick: Berrettini ML (+134 via FanDuel)
Sinner (-750) vs Halys (+520)
8 a.m. ET
As Wimbledon progresses, the third-round encounter between Quentin Halys and Jannik Sinner is expected to captivate fans. Although the Frenchman Halys is a considerable underdog, his ability to create problems for the rising Italian star should not be underestimated.
Halys' performance on grass courts has been surprisingly impressive. Even though he skipped the warmup tournaments this season, his respectable grass court history, convincing win over home favorite Dan Evans and following thrashing of Aleksander Vukic signify a player in fine form. The power in Halys' serve, particularly on grass, is a key weapon that could cause Sinner considerable trouble.
Sinner's path to Wimbledon was riddled with doubt following his match retirement in the preceding tournament. Yet, he silenced critics with two dominant straight-set victories over Argentine opponents in the opening rounds. Last year's quarterfinalist Sinner held a two-set lead over Novak Djokovic, indicating his potential for a deep run in the tournament this year.
The Italian may hold the edge in this match-up, but it would be unwise to dismiss Halys' potential to push the young Italian. Sinner's mental fortitude, which seemed fragile in his last Grand Slam outing, could be tested by Halys' powerful serve and tremendous shotmaking. Halys will undoubtedly pose questions to Sinner, and how the latter responds could have a significant impact on the match's outcome.
While Sinner's victories indicate his readiness to progress further in the tournament, Halys' current form suggests a competitive match is on the cards. Halys has the ability to push Sinner, forcing the Italian to fight for every point. As such, even though Halys is the underdog, I believe he could keep the match relatively close, ultimately covering the 6.5-game spread.
Pick: Halys +6.5 games (-140 via FanDuel)
