SBR's Gary Pearson shares his Alexandre Muller vs Novak Djokovic prediction for their Round 1 matchup at Wimbledon on Tuesday:
Pick to win: Novak Djokovic 3-0 (-250 via DraftKings)
"Djokovic won his first four matches in straight sets at the recent French Open before conceding one against Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals.
He is 98-12 at Wimbledon and has never lost a first-round match on grass.
While rust might be a factor for Djokovic, who hasn't played since losing in the semifinals of the French Open to Jannik Sinner, rest supersedes warm-up tournaments at this stage of his career.
Djokovic should get any lingering rust out of his system in the first set and cruise to a straight-set victory, as he did the only other time he faced Muller. That match occurred in the first round of the 2023 US Open."
Best prop bet: Alexandre Muller Over 10.5 games (-112 via FanDuel)
"Muller is having his best season on tour, sporting a 17-15 record. While he's lost four in a row, including two straight-set grass-court losses in Halle and Mallorca, he advanced to the second round in his two Wimbledon appearances.
I expect the world no. 41 to play Djokovic tight in the first set, capitalizing on some residual rust that GOAT may have to work through."
Djokovic has endured a few rough periods in the opening rounds of majors lately. While he quickly overcomes them, a lapse of any kind should be enough for Muller to cash our Over bet."
Pick to win: Novak Djokovic 3-0 (-250 via DraftKings)
"Djokovic won his first four matches in straight sets at the recent French Open before conceding one against Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals.
He is 98-12 at Wimbledon and has never lost a first-round match on grass.
While rust might be a factor for Djokovic, who hasn't played since losing in the semifinals of the French Open to Jannik Sinner, rest supersedes warm-up tournaments at this stage of his career.
Djokovic should get any lingering rust out of his system in the first set and cruise to a straight-set victory, as he did the only other time he faced Muller. That match occurred in the first round of the 2023 US Open."
Best prop bet: Alexandre Muller Over 10.5 games (-112 via FanDuel)
"Muller is having his best season on tour, sporting a 17-15 record. While he's lost four in a row, including two straight-set grass-court losses in Halle and Mallorca, he advanced to the second round in his two Wimbledon appearances.
I expect the world no. 41 to play Djokovic tight in the first set, capitalizing on some residual rust that GOAT may have to work through."
Djokovic has endured a few rough periods in the opening rounds of majors lately. While he quickly overcomes them, a lapse of any kind should be enough for Muller to cash our Over bet."