(thanks to blogs.bettor.com)
The stand out match of the second round men’s draw is Tsonga versus Gulbis. Both men have given great performances over the years on the Grass. Tsonga has had greater success than Gulbis with his defeat of Federer in 2010 but Gulbis played brilliantly in his defeat of Berdych in last year’s first round. While Tsonga has more flair than Gulbis and will attack the net more, Gulbis has the greater power and could just blow Tsonga off the court. However the Latvian is inconsistent and Tsonga will pounce if Gulbis gets off to a great start only to falter later on.
Prediction: Tsonga to beat Gulbis in four sets.
On the women’s front, the stand out match ups are Kvitova versus Shedova and Bartoli and McHale.
Kvitova and Shedova could see an upset. Shedova plays an aggressive game and is the player who won the Golden set last year. Kvitova may be the 2011 Champion but has proven to be wildly inconsistent and has not performed well all year. If Shedova gets off to a fast start, Kvitova’s confidence, already fragile after the disappointments of the last couple of seasons, might go away. Shedova, with her experience of shock defeats, beating as she did defending champion Li Na at Roland Garros 2012, will not be affected by nerves and will be hungry for the upset.
Prediction: Shedova to win in straight sets.
Marion Bartoli can play badly better than anyone. Only a couple of players play a better bad match than she does and she can get matches deep into the third and then a few flashes of inspiration can win her the match. Her recent poor form suggests that she is ripe for the upsetting and Christina McHale, one of the leading up and coming players on the tour, will be ready to do her best to knock out the 2007 runner up. Bartoli though will relish the fight and will somehow find a way to take advantage of her opponent’s inexperience.
Prediction: Bartoli to win in three torturous but tantalizing sets.
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