Each day during Wimbledon, we'll preview three must-see matches—and give our predictions.
Wimbledon offers a belated perk to its men’s champion: He gets to open play on Centre Court the following year. After his French Open defeat, Djokovic can probably do with a reminder of his win here last year, but he won’t be able to revel in the memory for more than a few minutes. In an odd coincidence, for the second time in three years, he’s drawn the world No. 33—the highest-ranked player he could have faced—in the first round. In 2013, that player was Florian Mayer (Djokovic won in straight sets). This year’s it’s Mayer’s compatriot Kohlschreiber. The 31-year-old German is a quality opponent who won’t be awed by the occasion. He has one win in six attempts against Djokovic, and has taken a set from him on three other occasions. But can he take three sets from him? Probably not. Winner: Djokovic
This is a tough draw for both players. Strycova is seeded 27th and was a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon last year; Stephens, currently ranked 43rd, was a quarterfinalist in 2013 and is coming off a semifinal run at the tune-up event in Eastbourne. They’ve never faced each other, which means that it will begin a learning experience for both. The American may be playing the better tennis at the moment, and her athleticism and natural power help her on grass. But Strycova, who beat Li Na and Caroline Wozniacki at Wimbledon in 2014, has a little more flexibility in her game. Winner: Strycova
