Each day during Wimbledon, we'll select three of the most intriguing matches on the schedule and offer our predictions.
Venus Williams [23] vs. Akgul Amanmuradova (No. 2 Court, first match)
Her seeding doesn't look right, nor does the court she's playing on. But Venus, a five-time Wimbledon champion, kicks off the tournament a full hour before Rafael Nadal opens play on Centre Court and Vera Zvonareva does the same on Court 1. Alas, she can earn back some respect with a few convincing wins, starting with her first-rounder against Amanmuradova. After Venus' strange loss to Daniela Hantuchova in Eastbourne?on the heels of fine victories over Andrea Petkovic and Ana Ivanovic?I have questions about her title chances. I suppose I should also wonder about her opening-week prospects, considering her recent five-month layoff, but I think Monday's match will assuage such thoughts.
The Pick: Williams in two easy sets.
Marin Cilic [27] vs. Ivan Ljubicic (No. 3 Court, Third Match)
Cilic lost his first-rounder at the French Open and could repeat that ignominy at the All England Club. Ljubicic just won't go away; the 32-year-old is just outside the Top 32 and reached the fourth round at Roland Garros. But high-bouncing clay is more conducive to the veteran Croat's game than slick grass, and that should spell a victory for his younger countryman. We'll see?Cilic has been a big disappointment since last year's Australian Open, and if he tries to simply outwait Ljubicic, he'll be ousted from Wimbledon.
The Pick: Cilic in four.
Donald Young vs. Alex Bogomolov Jr. (Court 17, First Match)
Speaking of disappointments, Young returns to the Grand Slam stage?you may have heard that he didn't play the French?with the stain of his USTA squabble still fresh. The American elected to bypass Roland Garros qualifying after the incident, opting instead to rest and prepare for the grass-court stretch. That decision, at least, seems to have paid off: Young won his opening-round matches at Queen's Club and Eastbourne, the latter after winning three qualifying duels. Is another first-round win in the offing? Bogomolov just reached the quarters of s'-Hertogenbosch, so, like most everything Young's been associated with since turning pro, it will be a struggle.
The Pick: Bogomolov Jr. in four.
Ed McGrogan is the online editor of TENNIS.com.
Source: http://feeds.tennis.com/~r/tenniscom-features/~3/Y3sDZGDRhuc/
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