Wimbledon Day 3 Picks 2013 (June 26th)

There were fewer major headlines after the second day of the tournament at Wimbledon, although the final British Wild Card was knocked out in the First Round and has sparked a debate as to whether many of these players should be given a pass to pick up £23,500 when poor performances are the norm.

It has made for an interesting debate and I certainly think the LTA have to make it clear what criteria needs to be met for a Wild Card to be picked up. And I certainly think that consistent failure should not be rewarded and you can understand so many people being a touch annoyed that one player in particular has picked up £150,000 from her Wild Card appearances at Wimbledon, yet won around three matches ever at the event in ten tries.


We move into the Second Round on Wednesday and these are the picks I have for this day:


Nicolas Almagro - 5.5 games v Guillaume Rufin: Nicolas Almagro has had a quiet couple of moths which has been riddled with some surprising early losses. He was beaten in the Fourth Round of the French Open despite holding a two set lead and a break advantage in the third set against Tommy Robredo, but I think the draw is a decent one for him at Wimbledon to move through to the Third Round.

This is a rematch of last year when these two met at the same stage and on that day it was Almagro who came through in four sets.

There is no doubt that Guillaume Rufin has the game that should work very well on the grass courts, but he still makes a few too many errors and that is where Almagro should be able to take advantage. The Spaniard's big serve and forehand will help him very much keep on top of his own serve and I just think he will be a little too solid for Rufin.


Jurgen Melzer - 1.5 sets v Julian Reister: Both of these players came through as underdogs in the First Round, but I am surprised that the layers think this is going to be a closer match than I had it down as.

I would have made Jurgen Melzer a much stronger favourite as he has enjoyed some success on the grass courts in the past. Melzer has a decent serve and is also very comfortable getting to the net and using his volleys to close down points.

On the other hand, Julian Reister has done very well to qualify for the tournament and also move through the First Round against last year's surprise package Lukas Rosol. The German was perhaps a little fortunate to come through in five sets in that match and I think he will be under pressure to repeat that performance against Melzer.

Melzer can be a little up and down in matches which would be a concern in a match where tie-breakers could play a key role, but I imagine he is capable of getting through in three or four sets in this match.


Nicolas Mahut - 3.5 games v Tommy Robredo: Tommy Robredo made some history by becoming the first player to recover from 2-0 down in sets to win in three consecutive matches at the French Open, but it is a different story for him when he gets on the grass.

Robredo did come through the First Round comfortably, but he has only got through the Second Round in one of his last eight appearances at this Grand Slam and he had been beaten in the First Round in his previous two visits before winning his last match.

The Spaniard hasn't even bothered with the warm up events since 2010 and now is coming across a player that loves the grass. Nicolas Mahut will always be remembered for his match with John Isner at Wimbledon, but this a former Queens Finalist and his serve-volley game will give Robredo plenty of issues.

Mahut should have plenty of confidence having won the warm up event in Holland last week, although he will remember being surprised in this Round at Wimbledon last year. I expect it to be different this time around and I like Mahut to come through 63, 46, 64, 64.


Marin Cilic - 6.5 games v Kenny de Schepper: Marin Cilic's return of serve should cause plenty of problems for Kenny de Schepper once he gets a read on things and that is why I think the Croatian is going to find a way to cover this handicap.

The big Frenchman certainly has a powerful serve, but his volleying isn't the best and I think he will be put under pressure by Cilic. The latter is a tall man himself so he can get a lot of balls back in play and that should open the door for some chances to break serve.

We have already seen de Schepper take some big defeats during this grass court season and Cilic is one of the best players on this surface. I would be surprised if this match is very close and I like the Croatian to continue moving through the draw with a 75, 63, 63 win.


MY PICKS: Nicolas Almagro - 5.5 Games @ 1.92 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Jurgen Melzer - 1.5 Sets @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Nicolas Mahut - 3.5 Games @ 1.90 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Marin Cilic - 6.5 Games @ 1.83 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Wimbledon Update: 4-3, + 2.44 Units (14 Units Staked, + 17.43% Yield)