Novak Djokovic faces red hot Dutch wild card Tim van Rijthoven on the middle Sunday at Wimbledon, with play taking place on this day in a rare event. Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe are also on the match card. We have predictions for every day 7 match in London.
Novak Djokovic vs Tim van Rijthoven
Jakub Bobro: Djokovic, looking for his fourth consecutive Wimbledon title, has gone into next gear in the last two matches, dropping just 14 games against Thanasi Kokkinakis and Miomir Kecmanovic. Van Rijthoven will be a more challenging opponent, now on an eight-match winning streak. It will be great to see the Dutchman on a big stage like this but it will take something special from him to really push Djokovic. Djokovic in 4
Shane Black: #1 seed Novak Djokovic (3-0) and wildcard Tim Van Rijthoven (8-0) are both unbeaten on the grass this season. The Serbian has won his last eight sets with relative ease and seems to be peaking at the perfect time on his quest for Grand Slam #21. Van Rijthoven has also looked impressive in London, taking out two seeded players en route to Round 4. With that said, I think his magic runs out against the six-time Wimbledon champion. Djokovic in 3
Damian Kust: First serious test Novak Djokovic faces? We’ll see. Tim van Rijthoven has the potential to do a lot of damage to the Serbian is his serve’s clicking and he can disrupt rhythm effectively with his slice. However, careful execution like this is possible, but probably not over the best-of-five sets format. Djokovic will also put a real target and plenty of pressure on the Dutchman’s backhand, likely eventually breaking it down. Djokovic in 4
Frances Tiafoe vs David Goffin
Jakub: I expect a very entertaining match between two strong baseline players. After beating two qualifiers, Tiafoe survived the challenge of Alexander Bublik in four sets. Goffin, looking to make the fourth round at Wimbledon for the fourth time, defeated Ugo Humbert in a tough match. With the Belgian leading the head-to-head 4-1, including their meeting at the French Open, I see Goffin as a favorite. Goffin in 5
Shane: After defeating qualifiers in rounds one and two, Frances Tiafoe proved his mettle in Round 3 against a tricky Alexander Bublik. Tiafoe’s best tennis seems to be brought out during Slams and this week is no different. David Goffin, who is into Round 4 at Wimbledon for the fourth time in his career, has really turned around his season after a slow start. Both players are exuding supreme confidence, but I believe the intangibles of the American will win out. Tiafoe in 4
Damian: Both players have been in great form this week. Neither had been particularly impressive prior to Wimbledon, but they really stepped up when given the opening in the draw. David Goffin leads the head-to-head 4-1, but they have never faced each other on grass. The Belgian’s a fantastic ball-striker, but it feels like Frances Tiafoe’s more dynamic, but also more up-and-down game could help him secure an advantage on this surface. It should be very tight though. Tiafoe in 5
Tommy Paul vs Cameron Norrie
Jakub: Paul is through to the second week of a slam for the first time in his career and he has done it without dropping a set. The American dominated Jiri Vesely in the third round, dropping just seven games. Norrie is also finally getting his slam moment and it is particularly special for him at Wimbledon. The Brit bounced back from his five-set battle with Jaume Munar by dropping just five games against Steve Johnson. The two have split in their previous meetings, Paul winning the first two and Norrie the second two. It’s a tough one to call but I will lean towards the Brit here. Norrie in 4
Shane: Tommy Paul has yet to drop a set in his maiden Wimbledon appearance. However, the competition stiffens in this Round 4 match against #9 seed Cameron Norrie. As the top-ranked Brit, Norrie will have the full support of what is likely a centre court crowd. The two have split their four head-to-head matches, and with Paul playing like a top-15 player, very little separates these two. I think the path to victory for the American is connecting on a high percentage of first serves, something I think he is very capable of. Paul in 5
Damian: Tommy Paul is facing a fourth left-handed player in a row, can this help him be ready for Cameron Norrie? It could, but what’s even more important is how incredibly high he’s been flying since the beginning of the grass season. With the confidence he has right now, the American feels like a perfect second-tier contender – someone who’s very unlikely to win the event, but will no doubt be dangerous to play against. Paul in 5
Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner
Jakub: It has been a fascinating Wimbledon for these two rising stars. Alcaraz had just one tour-level grass win coming into this tournament while Sinner had none. The fact they’re facing off for a spot in the quarterfinals is a testament to just how good they are at this point in his career. Alcaraz began with a five-set battle against Jan-Lennard Struff and showed just how much he’s improved at this tournament in his last match, dropping just six games to Oscar Otte. Sinner has also gotten better with every match, gaining more and more confidence, defeating John Isner in straight sets. Alcaraz has won their previous two meetings but this will be the first one at a slam, marking the true beginning of their rivalry at the biggest stages in tennis. When picking a winner, it is frankly a coin flip for me but I was impressed with Sinner’s focus and level in his last match, so I will go with the Italian. Sinner in 5
Shane: The next generation of superstars have blossomed this week on the lawn of the All England Club. After a few early bumps, both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner cruised in their Round 3 victories over seeded opponents. Alcaraz holds the 2-0 head-to-head advantage over the Italian, however, I do believe grass is the best surface for Sinner to be Alcaraz on. Both have consistent and powerful groundstrokes that can damage anyone on tour. I think this one comes down to the more consistent server, and that has been the Spaniard. Alcaraz in 5
Damian: Carlos Alcaraz has managed to improve so much since his grass-court efforts at the exhibition in Hurlingham, or even the opening round here. The display he put in against Oscar Otte was just perfect – serve was firing, shotmaking was flawless and creative, and he managed to put constant pressure on the German’s serve. If he can repeat that sort of level here, the sky’s the limit for him in London this fortnight. Alcaraz in 3
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