ATP Wimbledon – 1st Round
Mattia Bellucci vs Oliver Crawford
🧠 Form & Context
- Mattia Bellucci
🔓 Snapped a nine-match losing streak with a solid qualifying campaign in Eastbourne.
⚔️ 1–4 record in Grand Slam first rounds, but rarely goes down without a fight—beat Wawrinka in straight sets at the 2024 US Open.
🌱 Arrives on grass with matchplay: 3–1 in Eastbourne qualifiers, fell to Billy Harris in Round 2.
📉 Spring slump: From Monte Carlo to Roland-Garros, suffered heavy defeats, including to Draper and Martinez.
📍 Wimbledon history: Fell in 2023 Q1; lost in 2024 R1 to Ben Shelton. - Oliver Crawford
🎟️ Making his Slam main-draw debut after switching allegiance to Great Britain and receiving a wildcard.
🌱 Grass preparation includes 4 wins in Ilkley (QF), competitive matches in Mallorca and Birmingham.
📈 Strong Challenger/Futures resume: 13 ITF titles and a 44–12 record in 2025, but little ATP-level exposure.
🎯 First ATP main-draw match of his career—biggest stage yet.
🔍 Match Breakdown
This clash represents a classic crossroad: a tour-hardened lefty seeking stability (Bellucci) versus a grinder on the brink of a breakthrough (Crawford). Bellucci’s baseline-heavy style and forehand-centric play should grant him more initiative, especially if he can stretch rallies and impose lefty angles.
Crawford, though athletic and compact, might struggle to generate pace or sustain rhythm on return—particularly if Bellucci serves efficiently. The home crowd at SW19 will likely fuel Crawford, but Bellucci’s recent form and grass experience tilt the balance slightly in his favor.
🔮 Prediction
While neither player has a polished grass-court pedigree, Bellucci’s run in Eastbourne signals momentum and perhaps a mental reset after a tough spring. Crawford is no pushover, but this could be a learning curve for him on the ATP stage. The Italian’s edge in tour-level exposure and shot-making variety should carry him through.
Prediction: Bellucci in 3 close sets, with at least one going to a tiebreaker.
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