Three to see, Wimbledon, Day 1: Djokovic, Osaka kick off Centre Court

Before each day's play at Wimbledon 2019, we'll preview three must-see matches.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC vs. PHILIPP KOHLSCHREIBER

Centre Court will be christened with a matchup that has become very familiar to tennis fans in 2019. Djokovic and Kohlschreiber have already played three times this year. More notable, though, is the fact that Kohlschreiber actually won one of those matches, in Indian Wells, in straight sets. It was a rare moment of triumph for the 35-year-old German, who is 2-10 lifetime against Djokovic, and the Serb wasted no time in quickly turning things back around with victories over him in Monte Carlo and Rome. There are reasons to be concerned about Djokovic as he starts his Wimbledon defense—he’s coming off a gutting loss in the French Open semis, and this weekend he’s had to deal with the distractions of his other job, as the head of the ATP Player Council. But there are more reasons to be concerned about Kohlschreiber right now; he played two Wimbledon tune-up events in his home country, in Stuttgart and Halle, and despite the support, he lost in the first round both times.

Winner: Djokovic

NAOMI OSAKA vs. YULIA PUTINTSEVA

Should we put the first women’s match in Centre Court on early Upset Alert? It’s not often that the No. 2-ranked player in the world has an 0-2 record against the 39th-ranked player, but such is the case with Osaka and Putintseva. Even more ominous, from Osaka’s point of view, is the fact that one of those losses came just two weeks ago, on grass in Birmingham, in a routine straight-setter. Putintseva is a scrappy, pesky, consistent player can take advantage of a good opponent’s bad day. Which means the crucial question here is whether Osaka is going to have another bad day against her. Osaka, who lost in the third round at Wimbledon last year to Angelique Kerber, is not yet a polished grass-courter. But she should be sufficiently motivated to avoid going 0-3 against Putintseva.

Winner: Osaka

VENUS WILLIAMS vs. CORI GAUFF

When you first see Gauff play, it’s hard not to be reminded of Venus Williams. The 15-year-old American, like her 39-year-old countrywoman, is long and lean, with a serve she can throw down with power, and legs that can get her to the ball in just a few extended strides. Like Venus was during the 1990s, Gauff is also a prodigy; she won the French Open girls’ title at 14, and this past week became the youngest player to qualify for Wimbledon. There are few better examples of the effect that the Williams sisters have had on U.S. tennis than Gauff. But emulating a five-time Wimbledon champion is one thing; beating her on No. 1 Court, in your main-draw debut, is another.

Winner: V. Williams