Denis Shapovalov vs Brandon Nakashima Prediction & Betting Tips - Wimbledon Qualification, England

Prediction published on 29/06/2022, 12:37  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 29/06/2022 at 13:37 in ATP Wimbledon Championships Prediction

13th seeded Denis Shapovalov is hoping for another good run at Wimbledon. He faces unseeded Brandon Nakashima in the second round  of this year's tournament. The winner will meet either Daniel Galan or 17th seeded Roberto Bautista Agut in the last 32. Shapovalov holds the hopes of the Canadian nation after the first round defeat of Felix Auger-Aliassime in the first round on Tuesday. The world number 16 reached the semi-finals here in 2021, losing to eventual winner Novak Djokovic. Before that run, he hadn't got past the second round at Wimbledon. However, six years ago he did beat Alex de Minaur in the final of the boy's singles in this tournament and could face the Australian in the fourth round this year. He reached the quarter finals in the Australian Open this year but lost in the first round at Roland Garros. That was followed by three warm-up events on grass and he lost in his first match in each of them. That made it a worrying six defeats in a row but a seventh was avoided when beating Arthur Rinderkneck in five sets, after trailing two sets to one.

Brandon Nakashima is the world number 56 and is playing Wimbledon for only the second time in his career. The first time was last year when losing in four sets to 31st seeded Taylor Fritz in the first round. A win over Shapovalov will see him equal his best ever performance in a Grand Slam event. That was reaching the third round at this year's Roland Garros tournament though he didn't beat any seeded players. Nakashima also played three warm-up events before Wimbledon. In a Challenger event held in Surbiton, he beat two players ranked outside the top 100 before losing to Andy Murray. The quarter finals were reached in the Netherlands and then the last 16 at Eastbourne, being beaten by top seeded Cameron Norrie. He's only made two quarter finals this year and this is his first match against his opponent. He had to go to four sets in the first round to beat qualifier Nicola Kuhn. Shapovalov has had some poor form at times this year but clearly loves it here and can get a win.