Jannik Sinner will need to play his best tennis if he’s going to upset Novak Djokovic in the Quarterfinals of Wimbledon 2022. British hope Cameron Norrie has a match with veteran Belgian David Goffin, both players have their hopes up of a surprise semifinal showing. Our panelists predict every match including the set of quarterfinal matches that features Rafael Nadal vs Taylor Fritz.
Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
Jakub Bobro: Djokovic had a bit of a challenge against Tim Van Rijthoven in his last match, dropping the second set, but the six-time champion has made his way through the draw mostly unscathed. Sinner was incredibly impressive in his last two matches, taking out John Isner in straight sets before defeating fellow rising star Carlos Alcaraz in four. To reach the quarterfinals at Wimbledon after coming in with no main tour grass wins is a testament to just how good the Italian is. Djokovic won their previous meeting in straight sets, last season at Monte Carlo, but it is clear Sinner has taken another step forward. It will be the hardest match for the 35-year-old so far but the Italian may not be quite ready to pull off a win like this on grass. Djokovic in 4
Jim Smith: It has been a great tournament for Sinner, particularly when his record on grass before Wimbledon started is factored in. But beating the players he has beaten so far, including fifth seed Carlos Alcaraz, and beating Djokovic are very different propositions. The Serbian has shown the occasional frailty so far at Wimbledon, but for the most part he has looked very sharp and when Djokovic is at his best, or close to it, he does not lose on grass. Djokovic in 3
Jack Edward: Nobody really expected much of Jannik Sinner this tournament. He hadn’t won a grass-court match coming into the event but he’s really stepped up this Wimbledon. His service placement in particular is leagues better than it was even last year – he used this in conjunction with some sublime returning to get the better of Carlos Alcaraz in his previous match. Experience counts for so much in this sport however. Novak Djokovic will undoubtedly take advantage of missed first-serves better than Alcaraz did and he’ll be able to find ways of outfoxing the Italian in ways the Spaniard didn’t know were possible. Djokovic’s ability to attack the second-serve and keep the ball lower than most players on a grass-court will be invaluable in this match-up. Djokovic in 4
David Goffin vs Cameron Norrie
Jakub: It has been great to see Goffin back to playing his best tennis with his match against Frances Tiafoe one that could be a hipster pick for match of the tournament so far. Norrie is finally having his slam breakthrough and though there is no stand out win, he has been incredibly solid outside of the Munar match. This match just feels like a five-setter waiting to happen and though I see Goffin as the more talented shot maker, the battle against Tiafoe must have taken a lot out of him while Norrie is seen as one of the fittest players on tour and has won his last two in straight sets. Norrie in 5
Jim: This is a tough match to call. Norrie has to be accounted the favourite given how their respective seasons has gone, but Goffin has been in the world’s top ten for a reason and boasts a solid record on grass. That said, after the manner of Norrie’s fourth-round win over Tommy Paul, and the fact that he will have the crowd on his side, it is hard not to back the Briton. Norrie in 4
Jack: Cam Norrie has quietly made his way to the quarterfinals. Bar a hitch against Jaume Munar in the second-round, he hasn’t dropped a set. His gamestyle can be incredibly difficult to counter regardless of the surface – on grass, his backhand often becomes his means of setting up offensive shots rather than his clay-oriented forehand. Match-up-wise, David Goffin has got the weaponry to live with Norrie for a set but I wouldn’t expect him to execute too a high enough level for long enough. Norrie is on the cusp of the top-10 for a reason. Norrie in 4
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