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Wimbledon Day 2: Three to See

Jul 2nd 2018

Denis Shapovalov versus Jeremy Chardy

Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov captured the attention of the tennis world with his stunning exploits last summer, and he has quickly risen up the rankings in the months that followed.  He has nearly cracked the Top 20 and finds himself seeded twenty-sixth at this year's Championships.  With a flashy backhand, a live forehand, booming serve, and an unrelenting commitment to playing aggressive tennis, he is a force to be reckoned with no matter the opponent.  It is no surprise that fans are expecting to see him continue his meteoric rise in the sport, and they will suspect what he does at Wimbledon will play a part in it.  But Shapovalov does not have the luxury of looking too far ahead, and as both he and tennis pundits know, his first-round match against Jeremy Chardy could prove a troublesome hurdle.  The Frenchman is ranked a respectable Number 46 and has been as high as Number 25

Denis Shapovalov

His technique might not be the most sound, but he has a solid backhand and can really make some inroads from the forehand wing.  He also does a great job of recognizing when to move forward and is not shy about taking balls out of the air.  Given his strengths, it is not a shock that some of his best results have come on grass.  In fact, Chardy has made the semifinals or better of the three grass tournaments he played coming into Wimbledon, so he should be brimming with confidence.  Couple that with his experience, and he is unquestionably a match for what Shapovalov brings to the table.  All told, neither outcome would be stunning.  It is difficult to resist jumping on the Canadian's bandwagon.  He plays with the fearlessness of youth, and if at his best, he should get through.  That said, between his experience and run on the grass to this point, Chardy might just be the ever-so-slight favorite to garner the upset and advance.

Caroline Garcia versus Belinda Bencic

One of the more intriguing matches in the opening round on the women's side pits sixth seed Caroline Garcia against young gun Belinda Bencic.  Garcia is quickly making a name for herself outside of her native France.  She was once part of the top doubles duo with compatriot Kristina Mladenovic before opting to split from her partner to focus on her singles.  Clearly, it was a decision that has paid off.  She produced some of her best singles results throughout 2017 to qualify for her first singles berth at the WTA Championships, and she has backed it up nicely by consistently making the late rounds of tournaments in 2018.  She now finds herself at a career-high of Number 6 in the world with a great look at making something happen at Wimbledon.  Her flat, penetrating groundstrokes translate well to the grass, and she has a good transition game.  Furthermore, as her top doubles ranking would suggest, she is one of the best when it comes to getting the job done in the forecourt.  With her current form and the skill set she possesses, she looks a solid bet to go deep at SW19

Belinda Bencic

But savvy fans know that Bencic should not be taken lightly.  She may presently be ranked just outside of the Top 60, but it was only two years ago she was a Top 10 player who looked destined for great things.  She learned her tennis from the mother of Martina Hingis, Melanie Molitor, and as a result, sports a similar level of variety that comes equipped with even more pace than Hingis.  She is quite comfortable on the grass and has already accumulated some impressive victories in her burgeoning career.  Injuries that included wrist surgery knocked her off course in 2017, but she is quickly rising back up the ranks.  So yes, Garcia, who is more match tough should come through this one, but if Bencic is having one of her better days as she strives to return to her best form, an upset could be in the cards.

Fernando Verdasco versus Frances Tiafoe

It is a clash of the old guard trying to hold off the next generation as seeded veteran Fernando Verdasco takes on up-and-comer Frances Tiafoe for the right to advance to the second round.  Verdasco is a former Top 10 player, who continues to show that he can still be a force to be reckoned with on any given day.  His big lefty forehand commands respect, and he can still produce his share of aces, particularly on a surface like grass.  Additionally, despite clay being his preferred surface, he has carved out ample success on the quicker ones, including multiple trips to the second week here at Wimbledon.  He has plenty of experience at this level and will no doubt prove a tough out for the young American. 

Frances Tiafoe

Tiafoe has been making great strides of late, however.  He first caught the tennis world's attention with his run last summer in Cincinnati and has continued to build on that breakthrough with his play in 2018.  He captured his first title in Delray Beach, that included a victory over his childhood idol Juan Martin del Potro and reached the final of Lisbon.  He has a solid all-around game, but like Verdasco, he prefers to get the job done with his forehand, which should make it interesting to see whose big weapon holds up best.  One area where Tiafoe has struggled in 2018 though is at the majors, where he has yet to get out of the opening round.  He has a decent look at doing so here at Wimbledon, but the more solid bet lies with Verdasco.  Both may boast similar weapons and can go big off the ground, but the Spaniard's experience combined with Tiafoe's dismal showings at the majors this season could be the difference-maker to see Verdasco through to victory.