Novak Djokovic is the defending champion and the bookies favourite. However, all the media has been Federer. Unsurprising, since the Swiss Master is nearing the end of a great career, and another Wimbledon is being willed to him by fans all over the world.
Djokovic has run into Kohlschreiber once again, a tester first up. Three times they have played each other this year, and after his shock loss in Indian Wells, Djokovic has won twice on the clay. On grass it should be more comfortable.
Drawn to meet fellow Serb Dusan Lajovic in the third round, the world number one could then meet young gun Felix Auger-Aliassime in the round of sixteen, if the Canadian can find a way past Gael Monfils.
Daniil Medvedev lurks in the top half, and could very well feature in one of the early highlights - a fourth round clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas. Either represents the first real threat to Djokovic in the tournament.
The Kevin Anderson quarter makes up the remainder of the top half, and bccsuse of injury, the Soith African is not as well prepared as he’d like to defend his 2018 semi final points. Challenges are likely to come from Wawrinka or Raonic in the round of sixteen, then possibly Karen Khachanov or Alexander Zverev in a quarter final.
Quarter final prediction:
Djokovic v Tsitsipas
Raonic v Zverev
In the bottom half, Dominic Thiem has a relatively easy run to the round of sixteen, where he should have Fabio Fognini as a tough opponent. Rafa Nadal could meet Nick Kyrgios in round two, then later on must escape the grip of Denis Shapovalov or Marin Cilic.
Roger Federer has a much easier draw, and may have another encounter with Nadal in a semi final. Lucas Pouille and Diego Schwartzman offer some resistance, but I can’t see any other obstacles standing in the way of the second seed before the semis.
Quarter final prediction:
Thiem v Cilic
Nishikori v Federer
Semi final prediction:
Djokovic v Raonic
Thiem v Federer
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