Grigor Dimitrov versus Stan Wawrinka

It is no fun for the players involved, but when one player is ranked well below his ability, it provides the opportunity for fans to see a marquee early round match at the majors.  Such a match is on offer with Stan Wawrinka slated to take on sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov for a spot in the second round.  A few years ago, this match easily would have taken place at the business-end of a tournament, but due to chronic knee issues, the Swiss comes into Wimbledon ranked outside of the Top 200.  Knee surgery and his subsequent recovery have meant that fans have seen precious little of Wawrinka the last twelve months, and the jury is out as to how much they can expect to see of him here.  When in top form, he is one of the most powerful ball-strikers on tour.  His one-handed backhand, which he can hit through or open up the court with equal aplomb, gets the most attention, but his forehand can really inflict some damage.  He is a former Number 3, and he has three majors under his belt already. 

On paper, he is clearly a formidable opponent.  Dimitrov can be equally formidable, however.  Like the Swiss, he sports a versatile one-handed backhand and is perfectly capable of sending the forehand for a ride.  He gets good pop on his serve, and of the pair, he enjoys the advantage in the forecourt and in the movement department.  Furthermore, he has won their last four meetings to lead this rivalry 4-2, and Wimbledon has definitely been a happier hunting ground for the Bulgarian than for the Swiss.  Given that Dimitrov has alluded to being mentally adrift where his tennis is concerned right now though, Wawrinka has a decent look at garnering the upset.  But with more match play of late, the edge he holds in this rivalry, and with his superior results at this event, Dimitrov should still be expected to advance.

Sloane Stephens versus Donna Vekic

Monday will mark the first official match for Sloane Stephens since making her run to the final of Roland Garros.  Between her US Open title last summer and the finalist appearance a few weeks ago, there are apt to be increased expectations for the American in London.  That said, she will have her hands full against young Croat Donna Vekic if she wants to make headway at the All England Club.  The Croat nearly cracked the Top 40 in June, and although hard courts are her preferred surface, she is hardly a slouch on the grass.  She won the Wimbledon tune-up in Nottingham last year and reached the final four of that event this season.  She boasts a lot of firepower from both wings, and when in full flight, is a danger to anyone.  Stephens will certainly test the consistency of Vekic, however, as she is very difficult to hit through with her phenomenal foot speed. 

Stephens also possesses a nice transition game, which is often rewarded on this surface, and she has a great ability to inject her own pace to suddenly turn a point in her favor.  From a mental standpoint, as a major champion, Stephens has more experience at this level, should be feeling confident following her run in Paris, and has won her lone encounter with Vekic. Vekic, though, should be optimistic on the grass, keep in mind that her lone loss to the fourth seed did go the distance, and Wimbledon has been the worst of the four majors for Stephens, who has only made it out of the first week at the All England Club once. So, while for sure Stephens is seemingly the obvious favorite and should move through, this one deserves to be labeled as a potential “upset alert.”

Richard Gasquet versus Gael Monfils

Familiar foes, separated by a mere twelves places in the rankings, will take to the court with the berth in the second round hanging in the balance.  On one side will be Richard Gasquet while the other will feature his countryman, Gael Monfils.  It is another early encounter that has a second-week feel, and with any luck, it will live up to the feeling.  Despite being the unseeded player in this contest, it is tempting to label Monfils as the favorite.  He is still one of the fastest guys on tour and will unquestionably be the better mover in this match.  He, also, gets better juice on his serve and is able to go bigger off the ground, especially from his forehand wing.  Additionally, he does lead this rivalry 9-7, which includes winning three of their four encounters at the majors. 

If he commits to staying up on the baseline and not falling into a passive style of play, there is no reason he cannot add to that tally. And yet, the venue and the surface would suggest Gasquet should live up to his seeding on Monday.  The grass really rewards all of the various spins he can put on the ball, and after winning the tune-up event at the Libema Open a few weeks ago, he ought to be feeling good about his odds for success.  In addition to that, he has twice been to the semifinals of Wimbledon in contrast to Monfils, who has never made it out of the first week.  And of course, as his higher ranking would suggest, he has enjoyed more overall success of late, which could prove crucial in the big moments.  It is fair to say this match has a 50-50 feel to it, but again, given the surface and history at this event, the slight nod of the head has to go to Gasquet to move one step closer to evening this rivalry.