2019 Wimbledon Championships – Stan Wawrinka vs Reilly Opelka Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Stan Wawrinka vs Reilly Opelka taking place? All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London
When is Stan Wawrinka vs Reilly Opelka on and what time does it start? Wednesday 3rd July, 2019 – (not before) TBC (UK)
What is the expected weather for Stan Wawrinka vs Reilly Opelka? Sunny spells with a temperature around 20c
What channel is Stan Wawrinka vs Reilly Opelka on? Matches will air on BBC1, BBC2 and BBC Red Button throughout the tournament
Where can I stream Stan Wawrinka vs Reilly Opelka? BBC iPlayer / BBC Sport website / BBC Sport app
Where can I get tickets for Stan Wawrinka vs Reilly Opelka?
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THE LOWDOWN
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: N/A
Last meeting: N/A
STAN WAWRINKA
- It took Stan Wawrinka just over an hour to defeat Belgian qualifier Ruben Bemelmans in straight sets and he now faces USA’s Reilly Opelka for the first time.
- Wawrinka is in the hunt for the only Grand Slam that eludes his trophy cabinet and while realistically the 34-year-old is past his prime, he still has the ability to beat anyone.
- Two consecutive quarter-finals in 2014 and 2015 were the last time the Swiss number two progressed past the second round at Wimbledon but he has struggled with injuries over the last few years.
REILLY OPELKA
- Reilly Opelka overcame a difficult second set to win in three over Germany’s Cedrik-Marcel Stebe but will now face a massive challenge in Stan Wawrinka.
- The 21-year-old reached a career-high 53rd in the world earlier this year after some good early progress on clay but he has since exited his last three tournaments at the earliest opportunity.
- Opelka is in his first Wimbledon main draw after failing to qualify in the previous two years and must put in the best performance on grass of his fledgling career to have any chance against Wawrinka.
THE PREDICTION
Reilly Opelka is almost a foot taller than Stan Wawrinka at 6”11, and the 21-year-old is yet another example of America’s big-serving giants in the mould of John Isner and Sam Querrey. Opelka will need a significant improvement on his 12 aces and 66% first serve percentage if he is to get past Wawrinka, who has been around the block long enough to know how to combat a player at Ivo Karlovic’s end of the measuring tape. The Swiss number two is looking good on his return from injury and should still be in the draw come Friday.
