Wimbledon 2011, Day 1: Six Matches To Watch

Sixty-four singles matches are stuffed into the Day 1 schedule at The Championships, Wimbledon 2011.  Here are six of the best:

Francesca Schiavone (ITA) [6] vs. Jelena Dokic (AUS) -- Second on Centre Court -- A match that many are tagging as an upset special, and with good reason.  Schiavone's worst surface is grass, and Dokic's power game just took her to the final of the grass court tournament in 's-Hertogenbosch last week.  If this match were on an outer court, I would like Dokic's chances immensely, but Schiavone is too much of a showman to not produce some fireworks on Centre Court.  Prediction: Schiavone in 3.

Alison Riske (USA) vs. Vera Zvonareva (RUS) [2] -- First on Court 1 -- Vera Zvonareva is defending a grand slam final appearance for the first time, and gets a potentially tough opening match against Allison Riske, a young American who has had tremendous success on the grasses of Birmingham.  Zvonareva should be able to outsteady Riske, but it will be interesting to see how Riske performs on the biggest stage of her career thus far. Prediction: Zvonareva in 2.

Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) vs. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [4] -- Third on Court 2 -- Victoria Azarenka retired from a match for the fourth time in 2011 last week in Eastbourne, so her health is something of a question mark going into this first round match.  Magdalena Rybarikova is a very strong grass courter, having won Birmingham in 2009.  If Azarenka isn't near 100%, she could become a shocking Day 1 casualty. Prediction: Azarenka in 3.

Radek Stepanek (CZE) vs. Fernando Verdasco (ESP) [21] -- Fourth on Court 2 -- Stepanek and Verdasco will provide a pretty cool contrast in finesse vs. power, with plenty of flashy shotmaking to spare.  Stepanek took a set off Rafael Nadal at Queen's Club, so his grass game seems to be clicking along pretty nicely.  Verdasco has the more reliable game, but could easily grow frustrated by Stepanek's general annoyingness.  Prediction: Stepanek in 4.

Jelena Jankovic (SRB) [15] vs. Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (ESP) -- Fourth on Court 3 -- Jelena Jankovic landed near Venus Williams in the draw, a fact she shouldn't hate since she's had success against the five-time Wimbledon champion at this tournament before.  But she can't be thrilled with her extremely tough first round match against MJMS, a powerful player who plays as close to a serve-and-volley style as anyone in the WTA right now.  If the normally counterpunching Jankovic isn't assertive, she could find herself in a lot of trouble in this one. Prediction: Jankovic in 3.

Ivo Karlovic (CRO) vs. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) [23] -- Third on Court 12 -- With how the draw worked out, whomever makes it out of this first round match should be something of a lock for the second week of the tournament.  This match will test Karlovic's returning and Tipsarevic's patience, and could well go the distance.  I wouldn't be at all surprised if it winds up being a longer match than Isner-Mahut II does. Prediction: Karlovic in 5.

Coverage of Day 1 Wimbledon action begins at 7 AM EST on ESPN2 in the US.  The complete schedule of today's matches can be found here.