LONDON | Confrontations in tennis are decided by lot. But at Wimbledon this year, some big names will surely want to speak of a ‘bad luck’ draw, to the delight of fans who are entitled to serious confrontations from the first round.
1. Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Dominic Thiem
We heard a big “Ohhhh” from the journalists on site when the name of the Greek, fifth favourite, was linked to that of the Austrian. No, Thiem hasn’t been a shadow of himself since that serious wrist injury that kept him off the field for many months in 2021. Notably, the former world No. 3 (currently ranked 90th) won the US tournament last year. Open.
Photo: AFP
But the two rivals know each other well and it is even Thiem who dominates the duel with five wins and four losses.
And in their only meeting since 2020, played in Madrid in the spring on ocher, the Austrian’s favorite surface, Tsitsipas won in the tie-break of the third set.
The Greek can at least take solace in the fact that he will find refuge in the arms in the event of an early exit on Tuesday his new flame, Spanish player Paula Badosa.
2. Matteo Berrettini vs. Lorenzo Sonego
Things have not been going well for Berrettini since the start of this 2023 season. A finalist at the All England Club two years ago, he’s not even among the favorites this year as his results have been disastrous (he’s currently 37th in the world).
Photo: AFP
Since misfortune rarely comes alone, the former top 10 meets his compatriot and friend Lorenzo Sonego (40th) on Tuesday, who gave him a beating three weeks ago on the Stuttgart lawn (6: 1 and 6: 2, in just 1h11min). ). However, Berrettini was the defending champion of this tournament, which he had also triumphed in 2019.
Distraught, Berrettini left the pitch in tears after waving to the crowd.
3. Venus Williams vs. Elina Svitolina
At 43, the legendary Venus Williams is taking part in her 92nd major tournament, benefiting from a pass from the organizers. Elina Svitolina, also a guest, returns to the game after giving birth to her first child, the result of her association with Frenchman Gaël Monfils.
The two players are therefore not in top form at the moment. Williams hasn’t played long but the former world No. 1 with seven Major titles defeated Italy’s Camila Giorgi in Birmingham last week.
Photo: AFP
For her part, former Top 3, Ukraine’s Svitolina, reached the quarter-finals in Roland-Garros last month.
Difficult to say how this confrontation will end on Monday’s pitch (we imagine thanks to Svitolina), but on paper the poster is tempting.
More first round games to watch:
- USA’s Coco Gauff (7th seeded) against compatriot Sofia Kenin, former world fourth-placed qualifier and 2020 Australian Open winner
- French prodigy Arthur Fils (58th in the world at 19) vs Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, 31st favourite