2021 Wimbledon Championships First Round – Fernando Verdasco vs Grigor Dimitrov Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Fernando Verdasco vs Grigor Dimitrov taking place? Fernando Verdasco vs Grigor Dimitrov will take place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, England
When is Fernando Verdasco vs Grigor Dimitrov on and what time does it start? Fernando Verdasco vs Grigor Dimitrov will take place on Wednesday 30th June, 2021 – not before 13:00 (UK) / 08:00 (US EST)
What surface is Fernando Verdasco vs Grigor Dimitrov being played on? Fernando Verdasco vs Grigor Dimitrov will be played on an outdoor grass court
Where can I get tickets for Fernando Verdasco vs Grigor Dimitrov? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Fernando Verdasco vs Grigor Dimitrov
What channel is Fernando Verdasco vs Grigor Dimitrov on? Coverage of Wimbledon is shared between BBC and Eurosport
Where can I stream Fernando Verdasco vs Grigor Dimitrov? If televised on BBC, this match can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. If the match is televised on Eurosport, subscribers can stream the match live on Eurosport Player
THE LOWDOWN
FERNANDO VERDASCO
37-year-old Fernando Verdasco enjoyed a few wins on the clay swing this season but the Spaniard’s career is well into its twilight years these days. Verdasco reached a career-high seventh in the ATP world rankings back in 2007 but he is currently at 106th in the world. The Spaniard has less titles than on might think with seven won on tour between 2004 and 2016 but his performances at Grand Slams have earned him plenty of commendations over the years. Most notably, a five-set epic against Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of the Australian Open which remains his best placing at a Grand Slam, although he reached the quarter-finals here in 2013.
GRIGOR DIMITROV
World number 21 Grigor Dimitrov has struggled with both form and fitness this season and he was forced to retire from the first round of Roland-Garros last time out. Now 30 years old, Dimitrov’s best success to date was winning the 2017 ATP Finals in his best season on tour but that was his last of eight ATP titles. The Bulgarian has reached the semi-finals of a Grand Slam three times: Wimbledon in 2014, the Australian Open in 2017 and seemingly out of nowhere at the US Open in 2019.
THE PREDICTION
This should be an enthralling watch between two players who have graced the top of the game for the majority of their careers and there is plenty of history here. World number 21 Grigor Dimitrov leads their head-to-head record 4-3 having won the last two of their meetings in 2-18 and 2019 but Verdasco was the winner in their only Grand Slam meeting at Roland-Garros in 2018. Given the year Dimitrov has had there are no guarantees in this first round match and Verdasco will know to stick with him throughout in hope the Bulgarian’s level drops. For that reason, take Dimitrov to win outright here instead of in three, although even that is not assured this season.
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