The summer’s big major starts tomorrow. Novak Djokovic won last year and is back, seeking his fifth title in London. Roger Federer hopes to win his record-extending 9th championship here, a title which could also serve to cement the gap between him and Nadal for most career Grand Slam titles. So with that, and more, in mind, let’s get to a quick preview for the upcoming two weeks of (should be) great tennis.
- Novak Djokovic
- Roger Federer
- Rafael Nadal
- Kevin Anderson
- Dominic Thiem
- Alexander Zverev
- Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Kei Nishikori
- John Isner
- Karen Khachanov
- Daniil Medvedev
- Fabio Fognini
- Marin Cilic
- Borna Coric
- Milos Raonic
- Gael Monfils
- Matteo Berettini
- Nikoloz Basilashvili
- Felix Auger-Aliassime
- Gilles Simon
- David Goffin
- Stan Wawrinka
- Roberto Bautista Agut
- Diego Schwartzman
- Alex de Minaur
- Guido Pella
- Lucas Pouille
- Benoit Paire
- Denis Shapovalov
- Kyle Edmund
- Laslo Djere
- Dusan Lajovic
Djokovic’s Quarter
Philipp Kohlschreiber is probably a tougher draw than Djokovic would have liked to see in the first round, but there’s still no reason to expect the upset. A potential 4th round battle with rising star Auger-Aliassime should signify the first legitimate chance for an early exit for the world number one. Assuming he doesn’t falter there, 7th seeded Tsitsipas likely awaits in the quarters.
Prediction: Djokovic
But don’t forget about: Tsitsipas; Auger-Aliassime;
Federer’s Quarter
As if you needed another reason to consider Federer a major contender again, he won his 10th Halle Open title leading up to Wimbledon. The 37 year old is still hanging around as a true force to be reckoned with. His draw sets up very nicely; anything less than the semis would be a big surprise.
Prediction: Federer
But don’t forget about: Kei Nishikori; John Isner
Nadal’s Quarter
Nadal has a (mostly) rough go of it at Wimbledon since his last title in 2010. Aside from a semi-final appearance last year, he hadn’t made it past the 4th round in any year in between (he did not play in 2016). Though with that being said, he’s still Rafael Nadal, so it would be foolish to count him out. But he does have arguably the toughest draw of the top 4 seeds. A potential second round match against Nick Kyrgios could signal what level his grass-court play is at. And then from there, he could be facing Shapovalov or Tsonga in the 3rd round, Cilic in the 4th, and Thiem in the quarters. Not saying he can’t do it, but he could be tested every step of the way.
Prediction: Not Nadal? What the heck, let’s just say Kyrgios
But don’t forget about: Nadal; Thiem (he draws a tough first round match against Sam Querrey; that will be one to watch); Cilic; Shapovalov; Tsonga
Anderson’s Quarter
This is where things might really get interesting. Currently ranked 8th in the world, Kevin Anderson benefits from the preferential seeding process Wimbledon uses. What this really does is open the door for young guns Zverev or Khachanov to finally break through into their first Grand Slam semi-final. But with both of them still having to prove themselves in week two of a Grand Slam, this quarter is as wide open as it gets. I actually like Zverev to emerge here, but there are a number of players who can conceivably punch a ticket to the semis.
Prediction: Zverev
But don’t forget about: Anderson; Khachanov; Wawrinka; Raonic
Semi-Finals
Federer def. Kyrgios
Djokovic def. Zverev
Final
Djokovic def. Federer
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