Tennis | Wimbledon 2022 | Auger-Aliassime and Halep given dangerous opening rounds, Serena makes singles return

By Tony Fairbairn at Wimbledon

  • Simona Halep [16] v Karolina Muchova
  • Felix Auger-Aliassime [6] v Maxime Cressy
  • Serena Williams [WC] v Harmony Tan
LONDON, ENGLAND – Felix Auger-Aliassime and Simona Halep will have to overcome dangerous opening round opponents on day two of Wimbledon as Serena Williams makes her return to singles action.

 

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Simona Halep [16] v Karolina Muchova H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Simona Halep [16] v Karolina Muchova H2H: First Meeting
Wimbledon 2022 London, England
Grass (O) Prize Money: £50,000
Second on Court One (15:30 BST) BBC Sport

Simona Halep returns to Wimbledon for the first time since winning the title in 2019 with COVID and then injuries preventing her from defending her title. A lot has changed with the Romanian with expectations a little bit lower as well as a change of coach with now Patrick Mouratoglou. Halep has played her way gradually into form over the last couple of weeks and will be hoping that works in her favour over the next fortnight at SW19.

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However a dangerous opening round awaits for Halep in the form of two-time former quarter-finalist Karolina Muchova. Muchova has slowly worked her way back from injuries and although she has gained wins over the likes of Leylah Fernandez and Maria Sakkari, not much consistency has followed it. Now the Czech Republican is looking to find consistency in fitness and form to make another deep run at a grand slam.

This is a tough match for Halep regardless of Muchova’s fitness as the Czech Republican has the skillset and overall game to disrupt the Romanian’s rhythm. Although this has the makings of an upset, Halep’s form has been strong heading into Wimbledon and the slower courts here make her slight favourite here.

Prediction: Halep in three sets.

 

Felix Auger-Aliassime [6] v Maxime Cressy  H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Felix Auger-Aliassime [6] v Maxime Cressy H2H: First Meeting
Wimbledon 2022 London, England
Grass (O) Prize Money: £50,000
Third on Court No. 3, not before 2:30pm BST BBC Sport

Felix Auger-Aliassime returns to the scene where he reached the quarter-finals last year and was the beginning of a run of consistent grand slam results. The Canadian has a habit of turning up for the grand slams and has already produced epic matches against Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal at grand slams this year. Now Auger-Aliassime will look to continue that winning pattern and produce another deep result at Wimbledon.

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However Auger-Aliassime’s first round match is probably one of the toughest opening rounds he could have received as he takes on in-form serve and volleyer Maxime Cressy. The American entered Eastbourne in poor form but tennis is a sport where things can change quickly and that’s what has happened with Cressy after reaching the final last week. Now Cressy looks to show signs of minimal fatigue and cause a big upset at SW19.

This is a dangerous match for Auger-Aliassime against a confident player like Cressy who likes to implement his game style with intensity. The slower courts and best of five format means the Canadian has a better chance than usual but this match could be defined by one or two points.

Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in five sets.

 

 

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Serena Williams [WC] v Harmony Tan H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Serena Williams [WC] v Harmony Tan H2H: First Meeting
Wimbledon 2022 London, England
Grass (O) Prize Money: £50,000
Third on Centre Court (17:30 BST) BBC Sport

 

Serena Williams is back and that’s not a phrase anyone anticipated to be saying a few weeks ago. The 23-time grand slam champion made her return in doubles in Eastbourne last week with Ons Jabeur where they reached the semi-finals and now the American makes her return to singles action a year after she last competed. Serena’s speed is doubted but her quality of ball-striking and serve is not with there being no doubt that won’t be too many players who will want to face her.

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The first player with the unenviable task of facing Williams is Harmony Tan. The world number 115 hasn’t had many wins this season but heads into this match having reached the semi-finals of the Gaiba challenger on grass and will be highly motivated to end Serena’s return before it’s even started. Can Tan pull of a big upset on day two of Wimbledon?

It will take time for Williams to get her fitness and rhythm back but this is the perfect match to find her level and play her way into the tournament. Tan will look to take her confidence from the challenger into this match and will play with freedom but in the end Serena’s quality should see her through.

Prediction: Williams in straight sets.

 

 

 

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