By Jacob Atkinson
- Novak Djokovic [2] v Vit Kopriva [Q]
- Elena Rybakina [4] v Elena-Gabriela Ruse [Q]
- Iga Swiatek [1] v Sofia Kenin
WIMBLEDON, UK – Having suffered a torn meniscus injury just three weeks ago, Novak Djokovic gives the thumbs up ahead of his first-round matchup.
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Novak Djokovic [2] v Vit Kopriva [Q] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Novak Djokovic [2] v Vit Kopriva [Q] | H2H: First Meeting |
| Wimbledon 2024 | Wimbledon, UK |
| Grass | Prize Money: £60,000 |
| Second on Centre Court, not before 3pm BST. | BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC IPlayer |
After suffering a torn meniscus injury just three weeks ago, Novak Djokovic has given the thumbs up ahead of his first-round clash against Vit Kopriva. The Serbian had to withdraw from Roland Garros after somehow pulling through his match against Francisco Cerundolo, despite the pain in his knee. The seven-time Wimbledon champion practiced with Jannik Sinner on Thursday and seems to be moving well.
As for Kopriva, the Czech is currently ranked at 123 in the world but will be looking to create a major first round upset with Djokovic potentially in a vulnerable state. Kopriva dropped just one set during his qualification rounds which came in a 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 victory over Richard Gasquet, a tough test to make it through to to his first ever main draw appearance at SW19.
While Kopřiva may put up a spirited fight, Novak Djokovic’s experience, skill, and all-round game make him the overwhelming favourite. However, if there was ever a time to take down the all-time great, it would be now.
Prediction: Novak Djokovic in four sets.
Elena Rybakina [4] v Elena-Gabriela Ruse [Q] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Elena Rybakina [4] v Elena-Gabriela Ruse [Q] | H2H: Rybakina leads 1-0 |
| Wimbledon 2024 | Wimbledon, UK |
| Grass | Prize Money: £60,000 |
| 1st on Court 1, play starts at 1pm BST | BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC IPlayer |
World number four Elena Rybakina and qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse will meet for the second ever time in the first round of Wimbledon 2024.
Rybakina began her grass court season not the way she would’ve wanted, having to withdraw from Berlin in the quarter-finals due to illness on the 21st June and at the Rothesay International in Eastbourne after that.
Ruse was a frightening force during the qualification rounds and didn’t drop a single set, despite facing two players ranked higher than her on tour. The Romanian has made the main draw at Wimbledon on three occasions in the past but is yet to make it past the first round at SW19.
Facing the 2022 champion here in Rybakina for her first-round tie is far from an easy task, but with the form and confidence she has on the surface there’s no doubt the No.4 seed will have her work cut out for her. The Kazakhs experience on the surface and electrifying baseline play however are traits any player would struggle to contain here at Wimbledon.
Prediction: Rybakina in straight sets.
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Iga Swiatek [1] v Sofia Kenin H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Iga Swiatek [1] v Sofia Kenin | H2H: Swiatek leads 2-0 |
| Wimbledon 2024 | Wimbledon, UK |
| Grass | Prize Money: £60,000 |
| 3rd on Court 1, not before 16:30 BST. | BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC IPlayer |
Iga Swiatek seems an unbeatable force on the WTA tour currently with a 45-4-win ratio in the 2024 season so far and ranked at No 1 in the world. Her dominant clay court swing has come to an end, losing just once on the surface. The Pole hasn’t appeared on the circuit since claiming her fourth win at Roland Garros, so is yet to play any competitive tennis on the grass court surface this season.
Swiatek faces a difficult first round opponent in Sofia Kenin, ranked at 49 in the world and a previous Grand Slam winner at the Australian Open in 2020. Kenin played her first grass tournament of 2024 at Eastbourne; however, the American’s run was cut short by Harriet Dart in a 3-6 7-6 0-6 round of 16 clash.
Both players are yet to make a deep run on the grass court slam with Swiatek reaching only as far as the quarter-finals in 2023, and Kenin reaching just the second round in the same year. Świątek enters this match as the favourite due to her current form and higher ranking. While Kenin has the potential to challenge her, especially with her tactical variety, Świątek’s powerful and consistent game is likely to give her the edge.
Prediction: Swiatek in straight sets.
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