Felix Auger-Aliassime vs James Duckworth

ATP Wimbledon – 1st Round
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs James Duckworth

🧠 Form & Context

• Felix Auger-Aliassime
  📈 Semifinalist in both Stuttgart and Mallorca (5–3 grass record in 2025).
  🌀 Slam struggles: First-round exits in last 3 Wimbledons and 3 of last 4 Slams overall.
  🎾 Game suits grass: Big serve + forehand combo is lethal when in rhythm.
  💥 Needs to shed mental lapses that have cost him in 5-setters.


• James Duckworth
  🪶 Qualified with solid wins, including over Vukic in Eastbourne.
  📉 No Wimbledon main draw win since 2021.
  🔄 Largely active on Challenger Tour in 2025, with modest ATP success.
  ⚠️ Hasn’t beaten a Top 30 player since 2024 Stuttgart (vs Shelton).

🔍 Match Breakdown

Duckworth’s slice serve and flat hitting can be tricky on grass, especially in early rounds when pressure’s on the favorite. However, FAA has shown improved composure this grass swing, solving problems mid-match and holding serve consistently in key moments.

The Canadian’s previous Wimbledon ghosts might still haunt him early, but this version of Felix has a sharper return game and better defensive movement than in past seasons. Duckworth lacks the firepower to truly pressure FAA unless he redlines and keeps the rallies short.

If Felix serves at over 65% and keeps his backhand steady, this should be straightforward—though don’t rule out a patchy set.

🔮 Prediction

Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 4 sets – with one tight tiebreak and some early nerves, but class tells over time.

Betting angle: Over 35.5 total games or Duckworth +2.5 sets (handicap) has value if you expect FAA to wobble early.