Controversy surrounded this year’s Wimbledon well before talk of tennis balls being hit.
First, there was the ban placed on Russian and Belarusian players competing, a decision not taken by organisers of any of the other Grand Slam tournaments. I disagree with the ban.
Then in response, both the ATP and WTA decided to treat Wimbledon as a point free zone, meaning players would drop points gained from 2021, but not gain any from this year, irrespective of performance.
I disagree with this decision also.
However, that is done, and we still have a Grand Slam tournament up for grabs, the glory of winning remaining as it ever was.
This year, a number of seeded players do not present sufficient grass court credentials or form to realistically be a threat beyond a few rounds.
Top seed Novak Djokovic certainly does, and the six time Wimbledon winner (including the last three) should cruise through to the quarters again, probably knocking out fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic (25) and Reilly Opelka (15) on the way.
He is scheduled to meet Carlos Alcaraz (5) in the final eight, but the young gun is not as proven on grass, and he may find the likes of Oscar Otte (32) and Jannik Sinner (10), and even Andy Murray problematic.
Hubert Hurkacz (7) is flying in the lead up to Wimbledon, with a title win in Halle. His scalps there included Auger-Aliassime, Kyrgios, and Medvedev in the final.
Expect him to forge a significant path through the Wimbledon draw, and perhaps meet Cameron Norrie (9) in a round of sixteen tantaliser.
A quarter final is expected between Hurkacz and Casper Ruud (3), but Ruud losing his first round at Queen’s Club wasn’t ideal preparation.
The bottom half of the draw appears to be more interesting, at least with several players already displaying what it takes to negotiate the grass.
Matteo Berrettini (8) is seeded to make the quarters, and last year’s finalist has won tournaments in both Stuttgart and Queen’s Club as perfect warm up.
In his quarter, there are unseeded players, Jack Draper, who defeated Taylor Fritz at Queen’s Club, and made the semis at Eastbourne, and Benjamin Bonzi, who made the semis at Mallorca after defeating Denis Shapovalov.
Serious possible opponents in the Berrettini quarter include Roberto Bautista Agut (17), who is about to contest the final in Mallorca.
The seeded quarter final rival is Stefanos Tsitsipas (4), who is the other Mallorca finalist.
Don’t forget Nick Kyrgios, who could be a third round match up for Tsitsipas.
Rafael Nadal (2) sits at the bottom of the draw, and potentially faces 2017 Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic (14) in the round of sixteen.
If he survives that, Felix Auger-Aliassime (6) is a likely quarter final hurdle.
However, Auger-Aliassime is no guarantee to make it there, as Taylor Fritz (11) could pose difficulties. Fritz is currently doing well at Eastbourne, about to contest the final.
Before that, the Canadian must win his opening clash with Maxime Cressy, who is the other Eastbourne finalist.
My predictions:
Quarter finals:
Novak Djokovic (1) v Carlos Alcaraz (5)
Casper Ruud (3) v Hubert Hurkacz (7)
Matteo Berrettini (8) v Stefanos Tsitsipas (4)
Felix Auger-Aliassime (6) v Rafael Nadal (2)
Semi finals:
Novak Djokovic (1) v Hubert Hurkacz (7)
Matteo Berrettini (8) v Rafael Nadal (2)
Final:
Novak Djokovic (1) to defeat Matteo Berrettini (8)
in a repeat of 2021.
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