Wimbledon 2016 second round: Five men’s singles tips from day three
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | June 28, 2016
2016 Wimbledon men’s singles
- Second round (top half)
- Wednesday, June 29th
- Scheduled on court: 11:30 BST
- All England Club, Wimbledon, southwest London
- Live across the BBC
Djokovic and Federer ease into second round
The top half of the men’s singles draw is now at the second round stage at Wimbledon 2016, and there were no real upsets on day one as the likes of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer won with relative ease.
Two British players from the first four sections went through, Dan Evans and Marcus Willis, the latter of which is hoping to continue his fairytale run against the seven-time SW19 champion.
Coral have picked out five top tips from the action on day three, so read on to find out how you can reap rewards…
Willis to take a set off Federer
In any other situation, no one would give a hope in chance to a qualifier and world number 772 against all-time great Federer.
However, on this occasion, Willis is currently on one of the biggest fairytale story runs in the history of tennis, having almost quit the sport and had to come through six previous matches to reach the main draw.
As Federer is not at full fitness, after pulling out of the French Open due to injury, it may give left-hander Willis the chance to capitalise and claim a set, with the backing of the home crowd behind him.
After Willis defeated world number 53 Ricardas Berankis in straight sets in the first round, back the Swiss superstar to win 3-1 at 3/1.
Dimitrov and Simon to go the distance
Although Gilles Simon has beaten Grigor Dimitrov in five out of six meetings and both times on grass, the Bulgarian has actually gone further than the Frenchman at Wimbledon, having reached the semis in 2014.
Number 16 seed Simon’s preparations for this year’s event were not the best, winning just once in two grass court competitions, though Dimitrov didn’t have much luck either.
You can back these two talented and similar levelled battlers at 12/5 to play out a five-setter.
Evans to beat Dolgopolov
Willis’ shock win over Berankis completely overshadowed Dan Evans’ first triumph against Jan-Lennard Struff, who he beat relatively comfortably in four sets.
The Birmingham-born Brit faced a tougher challenge against 30th seed Alexandr Dolgopolov, but the Ukrainian has only got to as far as the fourth round here.
Evans, who was a part of Britain’s 2015 Davis Cup-winning team, is a tasty 2/1 just for victory. His next opponent would then be either Federer or Willis.
Ferrer to defeat Mahut in four sets
Veteran duo David Ferrer and Nicolas Mahut, both 34, have surprisingly only ever met once before, when the former triumphed at the 2011 Paris Masters 6-4 6-4 on hard courts.
Serve and volley Frenchman Mahut, though, enjoys grass, having been involved in the longest ever match in history when facing John Isner at Wimbledon in 2010, so could put up more of a fight here.
Spaniard Ferrer is, therefore, a tempting 10/3 price to win 3-1.
Chardy to beat Johnson
Another Frenchman makes it into our five top tips for day three, this time 29-year-old Jeremy Chardy, who got to the fourth round here in 2014.
He goes up against American Steve Johnson, whose best result at Wimbledon is this stage from three previous attempts.
Related
You’ll find comprehensive coverage of both the Wimbledon men’s and ladies’ singles throughout the championships on the Coral tennis page.
