It’s July which means it is time for another Grand Slam in Tennis. My personal favorite, Wimbeldon. Wimbeldon is held at the All England Club in London. It is the grand daddy of the slams and like I’ve written before, the royals come out to watch these matches. One of the unique qualities of the tournament is the players always have to wear “Tennis Whites.” So, there will be all white outfits in this one. The surface is grass which is as fast as it comes. The winners usually are people who can serve really well and play quickly. Traditionally, the serve and volley players do very well, but that is not 100% true now. Let’s get into the Draws.
Men’s Draw
Quarter 1
The best Wimbeldon player of all time is back in London, that is Roger Federer. Federer has won the tournament a record 8 times. He is back and seeded at the top (1). His quarter of the Draw will put him against American Sam Querrey, who is a strong grass player, and at 6’6″ is a very big server. The South African, Kevin Anderson, is also a good player that Federer may face in the Quarters.
Prediction: I like Federer to come out of Quarter 1.
Quarter 2
The Croatian, Marin Cilic is the top dog in this Quarter. Cilic is ranked 5th in the World, but 3rd in this tournament. Former Grand Slam winner, Stan Wawrinka struggled in his 1st round match up, but he has been a very good player at Wimbeldon in the past. He sits at the other end of the Draw. However, Cilic will have even more competition American Jon Isner, the 10th ranked player.
Prediction: Cilic will survive a tough match over Isner to advance out of Quarter 2.
Quarter 3
Austria’s Dominic Thiem, the 7th ranked player and top of this Quarter, had to retire in his match, which opens up the top. Look for Novak Djokovic to ascend in the top half with Thiem out. The bottom half of this Quarter is competitive. Germany’s Alexander Zverev is going to be tough to beat, the 3rd ranked player in the World. Watch out for the Austrailian Nick Kyrgios in the bottom half. That should be a fun 4th round match with Zverev.
Prediction: Zverev will beat Njokovic in a classic Quarters match for Quarter 3.
Quarter 4
The toughest Quarter in my view is this one. At the top of the draw, you have the 4th ranked player in Juan Martin del Potro from Argentina who is a really good player. He will have to beat the French Open Champ and #1 player in the World, Rafael Nadal. That quarterfinal will be the best of the tournament.
Prediction: Rafa continues to roll taking Quarter 4.
Semi-Finals:
Federer vs. Cilic – Cilic is a great player, but this is Federer’s court. At 36, maybe Federer shows signs of slowing down. Federer took out Cilic in last year’s finals. I don’t see this any different.
Prediction: Federer advances to the Finals.
Zverev vs. Nadal – Zverev is having a great year. However, Nadal is fully healthy, and it is time to get the best match up in tennis over the past decade in the finals. Zverev could surprise here, but Nadal should advance.
Prediction: Nadal advances to the Finals.
Finals:
Federer vs. Nadal – 10 years ago, these two faced each other in the Finals. Nadal finally got past the grass magician in a 5 set classic. Tennis fans want this again, as both players are fully healthy and playing their best tennis. That match was the 3rd straight time Federer and Nadal faced each other in the Finals – 4 sets in 2006 and 5 sets in 2007. Please Wimbeldon gods, let us see these 2 storied champs go at it one more time. Nadal leads the match up all time in majors 9-3 with his dominance at the French, but Federer is the king in England. If this does happen, I’m not sure what will happen. However, I think this is Nadal’s year.
Prediction: Nadal wins another all time great match over Federer in 4 sets.
Women’s Draw
Quarter 1
The #1 player in the world, Romania’s Simona Halep and French Open champ, is the player to beat here. Petra Kvitvova from the Czech Republic could give her a good match in the Quarters. However, I don’t see Halep losing until the Semis.
Prediction: Halep advances out of Quarter 1.
Quarter 2
At the top, the Spaniard, Garbine Muguruza (3rd ranked in the world) is playing well. The bottom half has 2 players to watch who can push Murguruza – Caroline Garcia (7th ranked) from France and 12th ranked Angelique Kerber from Germany will battle to play her.
Prediction: Muguruza will not stumble and advance out of Quarter 2.
Quarter 3
In the top half, the 6th ranked, Karolina Pliskova from the Czech Republic is the top player. Can Venus Williams make one last run to advance to the Quarters? French Open finalist, Sloane Stephens of the US was upset in the 1st round already. So, the bottom half of this Quarter is wide open. The door opens for 11th ranked Julia Georges of Germany now. If Pliskova can get past Azarenka in the 2nd round, then I think she will be fine.
Prediction: Pliskova plays a tough match over Venus, and then advances easily out of Quarter 3.
Quarter 4
In the top half, the 4th ranked player, Elina Svitolina from the Ukraine has already been upset in the 1st round, that should solidify Serena Williams’ return to Wimbeldon and put her in at least the 3rd round at the top. Serena will then have to beat fellow American, Madison Keys, the 13th ranked player. In the bottom half, Caroline Wozniacki, 2nd in the world, from Denmark is the player to beat here. Wozniacki has get past a former top player in Radwanska, but she should cruise to the Quarters.
Prediction: I can’t pick against Serena until someone takes her out. Serena out of Quarter 4.
Semis:
Halep vs. Muguruza – Halep took our Muguruza in the semis at the French. Can there be revenge? Muguruza is the defending champ, but Halep has been outstanding.
Prediction: Halep advances to the Finals.
Pliskova vs. Williams – Again, I can’t pick against Serena. Maybe in the final, but not in the Semi.
Prediction: Serena wins and advances to the Finals.
Finals:
Halep vs. Williams – Serena would be playing for her 8th Wimbeldon title. Halep is the hot new player ascending to the top. It should be a great match between the seasoned champ vs. the young up and comer.
Prediction: Halep bests the great champion for the title.
Who do you like in this year?
Wegs