Improving Dzumhur should be far too good for Gulbis

Live on BBC
11.30am Thursday, 1pm on show courts

Dzumhur v Gulbis
Damir Dzumhur has yet to go beyond the second round in three attempts at Wimbledon but the improving Bosnian can overcome that hurdle in style with a convincing victory over Ernests Gulbis.

Dzumhur’s Wimbledon preparations have gone much more smoothly this season and he arrives at SW19 full of confidence having recently tasted success at the Antalya Open.

The world number 23 defeated seasoned top-seed Adrian Mannarino in the Turkish final and his straight-sets triumph over dangerous German Maximilian Marterer in his opening round match suggests his game is in excellent shape.

Gulbis, who is a former world number ten and once a French Open semi-finalist, is much happier on clay and his deciding set win over inexperienced Briton Jay Clarke on Tuesday shows he has plenty to find.

The leggy Latvian is packed with a powerful serve - he hit 19 aces in his curtain-raiser - but Dzumhur is well-equipped to deal with that and can ultimately run out an emphatic winner.

Recommendation
D Dzumhur -1.5 sets
1pt 4-6 Betfair, Paddy Power

Schwartzman v Vesely
The seeds have been dropping in the Wimbledon men’s draw and world number 11 Diego Schwartzman could be the latest top performer to be sent packing when he takes on Jiri Vesely.

Schwartzman is a class act but the brunt of his success has been on a slower surface and his efforts on grass have been underwhelming. His first-round triumph over Mirza Basic was his first Wimbledon win in four attempts.

The Argentinian tends to keep his involvement on grass to a minimum and his inexperience on the surface could be found out by the big-serving Vesely.

The giant Czech made the fourth round two years ago before being edged out in a marathon by classy compatriot Tomas Berdych - who went on to make the semi-finals - and he looks every bit as good having made the last four in the Antalya Open last week.

Vesely made light work of Florian Mayer in the opening round, a victory highlighted by 13 aces, and today's opponent could struggle to cope with his strapping serve at an unfavoured venue.

Recommendation
J Vesely
1pt Evs general

Ostapenko v Flipkens
Jelena Ostapenko followed up last season's surprise triumph at the French Open with a quarter-final run at Wimbledon, but things haven't gone as smoothly for the talented Latvian this term and she could be set for an early exit against Kirsten Flipkens.

Ostapenko is extremely talented and, at 21, should get plenty of opportunities to win again at Grand Slam level. But performances this season have been mixed and Flipkens has rediscovered some of her best form.

The Belgian made the final in Den Bosch last month before going one better to claim the Southsea Trophy and the former Wimbledon semi-finalist is full of belief after readily dismissing Briton Heather Watson 6-4 7-5 in her curtain-raiser on Tuesday.

Ostapenko, on the other hand, didn't have things all her own way against British wildcard Katy Dunne, who was making her Grand Slam main-draw debut, and will have to improve to extend her stay at Wimbledon.

The Latvian can make too many unforced errors and if she is not at the top of her game she may be punished by the more streetwise Flipkens.

Recommendation
K Flipkens
1pt 6-5 general

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