2024 Wimbledon Quarterfinal Preview: Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Singles
Gentlemen’s Singles
#1 Jannik Sinner vs #5 Daniil Medvedev
A year ago, Medvedev held a record of 6-0 all time against Sinner. Sinner finally found his breakthrough with a win against Medvedev in the Beijing Open. The two paths collided four more times and each occasion it was the Italian Sinner who emerged with the win, including an epic two set comeback win in the Australian Open Final. The two would meet again in the Miami Open Final where Sinner only dropped three games the entire match. The World No. 1 has made an incredible turnaround from being a contender to a champion. Sinner seems to be the prohibitive favorite, but if anyone can have a say its the former World No. 1 in Medvedev.
#3 Carlos Alcaraz vs #12 Tommy Paul
The defending champion after a tough victory 5 set victory over American Francis Tiafoe faces yet another American in Tommy Paul. The all time series between the two is tied at 2-2. Each match came on hard courts in North America, with Paul winning both matches in Canada and Alcaraz winning both matches in the United States. Paul is playing red hot after a grass title in Queen’s Club prior to Wimbledon. Expect a closer than expected encounter between these two combatants.
#2 Novak Djokovic vs #9 Alex De Minaur
The 24 time major champion looked as sharp as ever with a straight sets win against Holger Rune, while De Minaur won in four sets to Arthur Fils. The concern coming into the tournament was about Djokovic’s knee, but the immediate concern was for De Minaur who appeared to limp after his victory over Fils. The Djoker holds a 2-1 all time record against the Aussie with a straight sets win in the Australian Open dropping only seven games the entire match. This will be the first match on grass for the two, with the fast surface of grass favoring De Minaur. Novak’s knee will be tested heavily on Wednesday with De Minaur’s pace being the toughest challenge for the Serbian.
#13 Taylor Fritz vs #25 Fernando Musetti
These two met in the first round of Wimbledon two years ago with Fritz winning in straight sets. The 2022 quarterfinal saw Fritz lose against a hobbled Rafael Nadal. This time Fritz comes in as the favorite. The American is coming off an incredible win rallying from two sets down against French Open Finalist Alexander Zverev. The big serving Fritz has yet to see a signature major win, and a win against Musetti would set the stage for an opportunity for an American to win a major for the first time since 2003. The Italian Musetti has looked solid during the grass court season, including making the final in Queen’s Club. One of these two will be ensured their best finish in Wimbledon in their career with a win on Wednesday.
Ladies’ Singles
Donna Vekic vs Lulu Sun
Few could have imagined one of these two will be a Wimbledon semifinalist. Perhaps the case could not be more true for Lulu Sun. Sun battled through qualifying and upset Aussie Open Finalist Qinwen Zheng and outlasting Britain fan favorite Emma Raducanu to make the quarterfinals. Donna Vekic once a World No. 19 can see her best finish in a major with a win tomorrow. Look for plenty of power displayed by both players who are no strangers to slugging groundstrokes and hitting big serves.
#7 Jasmine Paolini vs #21 Emma Navarro
Emma Navarro made a statement with a win against American contender Coco Gauff in resounding fashion. It has been quite a tournament for Navarro who has had wins against major champions Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff on Center Court in straight sets. She faces another tough opponent in Paolini who is coming off a final appearance in the French Open. The trajectory of American tennis will hang in the balance with the last American woman hoping to add to what has been an incredible run.
#4 Elena Rybakina vs #21 Elena Svitolina
The former Wimbledon champion of 2022 is the only remaining former SW19 champion left in the draw, leaving the tournament hers to lose. She faces a comeback story in the Ukrainian Elena Svitolina. Fresh off of becoming a mother, Svitolina has gotten back to top form, with a win over the reigning two time finalist Ons Jabeur. The all time series is tied at two apiece, with Svitolina edging Rybakina in the Olympics in 2021, but Rybakina winning their most recent encounter this year at Roland Garros.
#13 Jelena Ostapenko vs #31 Barbara Krejciova
Two former French Open champions clash with the Latvian finding her best form on the grass, while Krejcikova who was considered having an outsider’s chance by many to go deep has an opportunity to again reinsert her name amongst the toughest to play in women’s tennis. Ostapenko holds a 5-2 all time record with Ostapenko winning their only grass encounter last year.
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