Wimbledon - Gentlemen’s Singles Preview

Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Singles 

When the singles draw is published, it’s usually the case to examine the possible match ups, especially for the seeded and other favoured players.

This year, I’m just confirming who is in the draw, and selecting the ones I believe are real prospects of grass court success over the next fortnight, regardless of placement on the draw.

Just two players appearing in 2023 have won the trophy before - Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

American Taylor Fritz has won the Queen’s Club tournament twice and was a quarter finalist at last year’s Wimbledon, beaten by Nadal.

Jannik Sinner was also a Wimbledon quarter finalist last year, beaten by Djokovic.

Nick Kyrgios, beaten finalist last year, is here again. though on the back of no competitive tennis.

Cameron Norrie, Wimbledon semi finalist last year, and 2021 Queen’s Club finalist 

Carlos Alcaraz, beaten by Sinner in last years Wimbledon, won this weeks Queen’s Club tournament.

Matteo Berrettini, beaten finalist in 2021 Wimbledon, is twice winner of Stuttgart and Queen’s Club tournaments.

Frances Tiafoe, winner in Stuttgart this year.

Alexander Zverev, twice finalist in Halle, and semi finalist there this year.

Daniil Medvedev, finalist in Halle and ‘s-Hertogenbosch last year, and winner of 2021 Mallorca.

Holger Rune, semi finalist at this weeks Queen’s Club.

Alex de Minaur, winner at Eastbourne 2021 and finalist at this weeks Queens Club.

Note here that I’m not featuring Stefanos Tsitsipas or Casper Ruud, both who will be seeded to reach the final few.

Their records don’t lead me to confidence in this happening.

So let’s come to likelihoods for my selected players.

Djokovic is the defending seven time champion and you know the rest. 

He is seeded #2 this year, but it matters little. #1 and #2 are scheduled to meet in the final.

He could meet unseeded Stan Wawrinka in round three, but if not, is drawn to play Tomas Martin Etcheverry (29), then Lorenzo Musetti (14) to reach the quarters. There Andrey Rublev (7) then a semi final.

Dual Wimbledon champ Andy Murray could provide an upset in the second round by ousting Stefanos Tsitsipas (5), and if he does could win through to a round of sixteen clash with Cameron Norrie (12). 

Norrie will probably need to handle this weeks Mallorca winner Christopher Eubanks in the second round en route to finishing Murray’s chances.

Taylor Fritz (9) and Jannik Sinner (8) should meet in a round of sixteen match. The most difficult hurdle for Fritz may be in the first round where he faces Yannick Hanfmann, semi finalist at Mallorca this week.

For me Fritz will organise the farewell for Sinner from Wimbledon this year, and he will march on to the quarters.

Nick Kyrgios, based on talent alone might sneak through to a third round contest with Andrey Rublev (7), but he hasn’t had the tour matches to prepare himself for a repeat of last year’s performance.

Unseeded Berrettini will be bounced out in the first round by fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego. Alex de Minaur (15) will beat Sonego, but lose out to Alexander Zverev (19) in the third round.

Zverev will in turn lose to Carlos Alcaraz (1) in a round of sixteen match.

Holger Rune (6) will beat Frances Tiafoe (10) in another round of sixteen match.

Predictions:

Quarter finals:

Carlos Alcaraz (1) defeats Holger Rune (6)

Cameron Norrie (12) defeats Daniil Medvedev (3)

Taylor Fritz (9) defeats Roberto Bautista Agut (20)

Novak Djokovic (2) defeats Andrey Rublev (7) 

Semi finals:

Carlos Alcaraz (1) defeats Cameron Norrie (12)

Novak Djokovic (2) defeats Taylor Fritz (9)

An eighth Wimbledon for Djokovic with a close final win against Alcaraz.