Wimbledon Picks Monday 07/01
It’s finally here. Wimbledon is the highlight of the annual calendar in tennis, with too many plot lines and stories to mention heading into The Championships at SW19. The usual contenders at the top of the men’s game will have their eyes on the trophy while the women’s game is starting to establish a new order. Here are four tips for Monday’s first round matches.
Kyle Edmund v Jaume Munar
Wimbledon men’s singles, first round
Until a few weeks ago it seemed that Kyle Edmund would come into Wimbledon in stinking form. Indeed, the British number one lost in the first round in Monte Carlo, Munich and Madrid, retiring midway through his second round match at Roland Garros. However, Edmund has always been better suited to grass and backed that up by making the final of Eastbourne last week.
In Jaume Munar, Edmund has been drawn against a star of the future. This is the first time that the 22-year-old Spaniard has made the main draw of Wimbledon having fallen in qualifying last year. Munar is a clay court specialist who likes to take up a defensive position often well behind the baseline. How will he defend against Edmund’s forehand on grass?
1u - Back Sets Handicap Kyle Edmund -1.5 @ -250
Novak Djokovic v Philipp Kohlschreiber
Wimbledon men’s singles, first round
For many, Novak Djokovic is the favourite to win the Championships on the men’s side at Wimbledon. It’s difficult to argue with that assertion given the way the world number one has been playing over the course of 2019. Sure, he might have made only the semi finals of Roland Garros, but clay has never been his best surface. This is where Djokovic can really dominate.
Philipp Kohlschreiber is a veteran at this level, though, and won’t be an easy first round opponent for Djokovic. However, the German has met the Serbian three times already this year and has lost every time (he did manage to take a set off him at Indian Wells). Kohlschreiber has fallen at the first hurdle in three of the last four years at Wimbledon and it’s hard to imagine that trend will change on Monday.
2u - Back Novak Djokovic to Win Set 1 and Win @ -800
Naomi Osaka v Yulia Putintseva
Wimbledon women’s singles, first round
She might have lost her number one ranking the week before the start of Wimbledon, but in the eyes of many Naomi Osaka is women’s tennis’ biggest star right now. However, Osaka has only won 58% of her matches played on grass, only ever making it as far as the third round at SW19. On top of this, Osaka has actually lost both of the two matches she has played previously against Yulia Putintseva.
Indeed, it was actually Putintseva who eliminated Osaka in Birmingham so that will give the Kazakh confidence ahead of this first round clash. Putintseva has only won 38% of her matches on grass. This isn’t her best surface, but 2019 has been a strong season for her so far and this could be a tough test for Osaka.
0.5u - Back Yulia Putintseva To Win @ +190
Caroline Wozniacki v Sara Sorribes Tormo
Wimbledon women’s singles, first round
Grass has always been a good surface for Caroline Wozniacki (she has won 70% of her matches on grass), although her Wimbledon record hasn’t always reflected this. Indeed, the Dane has only ever made it as far as the fourth round at SW19 and having endured a difficult season so far this could be a tricky first round tie for the former world number one.
This is the first time that Wozniacki will have faced Sara Sorribes Tormo. The 22-year-old lacks Grand Slam experience, but has enjoyed a good season in 2019 so far. Sorribes Tormo has played five matches on grass already this year and has a win percentage of 60%. Wozniacki will be the favourite here, but the Spaniard shouldn’t be discounted. This could be worth a punt.
0.5u - Back Sara Sorribes Tormo Set 1 Winner @ +350