Wimbledon Betting Predictions for Men's Singles Second Round

Wimbledon Betting Predictions for Men’s Singles Second Round

Written by on June 28, 2016

The two biggest names on the men’s side of the Wimbledon draw, two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic, the heavy favorite on betting lines to win a fourth Wimbledon title overall, and Roger Federer, who has won the grass-court major championship in England a record-tying seven times, are into the second round without much fuss. Sadly, however, we won’t see a Djokovic-Federer final as they have been placed on the same side of the draw. Thus they would meet in the semifinals if both get there.

Wimbledon Betting Predictions for Men’s Singles Second Round

 
 

World No. 1 Djokovic had just three weeks to savor the completion of his career Grand Slam at the French Open before he opened the defense of his Wimbledon title Monday. Djokovic’s 6-0, 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory against British wild card James Ward was his 29th consecutive at a major, tying Rod Laver’s Open-era record. Djokovic is also trying to become the only man besides Don Budge to win more than four consecutive majors. Budge played in the 1930s and won six in a row. He and Laver are the only two men to complete calendar-year Grand Slams.

Djokovic is a massive -10000 on betting lines to beat Adrian Mannarino in the second round Wednesday. Mannarino is from France and has a career-high singles ranking of world No. 27 (July 2015). The world’s No. 55 beat British No. 3 Kyle Edmund 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 in Round 1. Edmund lost the first game of the second set on serve and, suddenly, 27-year-old Mannarino had breathing space with his forehand strengths. Mannarino reached the fourth round of this tournament in 2013. That’s his best result in any Grand Slam event. Djokovic and Mannarino have never played.

Federer, who missed the French Open due to injury and no doubt be in top form for his favorite tournament, beat Guido Pella in straight sets but didn’t actually play all that well. Pella, the world’s No. 52 was seemingly unperturbed by the momentous occasion and matched Federer hold by hold in both the first and second sets. The lefty played heavy into Federer’s backhand, stuck mainly to the baseline, kept both his errors and winners low and hit a heavy, looping forehand. The first set went to a tiebreaker, and that was the moment when Federer’s vast experience took over. He took the first set 7-6 (5) after racing out to a 6-2 lead in the breaker. The second set was much like the first, with both players exchanging holds. In the tiebreaker, Federer raced out to an early lead once again before sealing it comfortably, 7-3. At 4-3 in the third set, Federer finally capitalized on a break chance and raced away with the third to take the match, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3), 6-3.

Federer is a huge -10000 favorite as well on betting lines for Round 2 against Britain’s Marcus Willis. The world No. 772 might have been the biggest surprise winner on Day 1. The qualifier Willis stunned world No. 54 Ricardas Berankis to become the lowest-ranked player to reach Round 2 since 1998. Roared on by a vocal pocket of supporters on court 17, Willis saw off Lithuania’s Berankis 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. Willis was set to give up playing professionally to coach in the USA earlier this year before his girlfriend persuaded him otherwise.

Expert Predictions

Expect straight-set victories for both Djokovic and Federer. The over/under for total sets on both matches is 3.5, with the unders as big favorites.