As week one of the championships end and week two begins, some of UBI’s writers review the shocks and matches from last weeks Men’s and Women’s Singles and try to predict some of the leading contenders going into the final week of Wimbledon.
What has been the biggest shock of the first week of the championships?
Jakub Bobro: On the Women’s side I definitely saw Pliskova and Kvitova losing as the biggest shock. I had them meeting in the final. Perhaps Kvitova even more than Pliskova since she lost to Brengle as opposed to Rybarikova, a more capable player.
Joshua Coase: Biggest shock of the week in the men’s draw for me was Medvedev defeating Wawrinka on day one. Medvedev was in much better form on grass and had plenty more match play than Stan but he’s a multiple Slam champion and just reached the final at the French making it surprising that he was to lose in a best of 5 set match to a Wimbledon debutant.
Who has been the most impressive player of the championships so far?
Thomas Cluck: The most impressive player so far on the men’s side to me has to be 2014 semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov, who is showing signs of his form of three years ago with his run to the semifinals in Australia and now here at Wimbledon so far. The Bulgarian is also yet to drop a set and has only given up more than three games in a set once so far this tournament, making him a formidable force on his best surface, the grass.
Tony Fairbairn: On the Women’s side the most impressive player for me is Garbine Muguruza. The Spaniard has only dropped 14 games with her impressive power shots. She also looks more relaxed with Conchita Martinez in her corner and it will be hard to stop her come the second week.
What has been the best match of the championships so far?
Alex Burton: The best match on the Women’s side I think was Konta vs Vekic it was a quality match,a player under home pressure with poor record on grass beats a player who defeated her just a week ago.
Adam Addicott: On the Men’s side Aljaz Bedene’s first round clash against Ivo Karlovic was extremely impressive. Only one break occurred throughout the four-and-a-half hour match and both players produced a total of 177 winners (98 for Karlovic and 79 for Bedene). It was an extremely impressive display from both men.
Cody Fitzpatrick: Johanna Konta’s 10-8 win in the third set over Donna Vekic was exciting from first ball to last. It also had kind of a grudge-match feel because Vekic beat Konta in the three-set Nottingham final.
Who has the best draw and form heading into the second week of the championships?
Adam Addicott: In the men’s Murray has the best draw considering he will not play a top-20 player until the semifinals. Regarding form I think it is Federer. He is still not playing at full throttle and he is still yet to drop a set in the tournament.
Thomas Cluck: The best draw heading into the second week on the women’s side goes to either big-serving American Coco Vandeweghe or her opponent in the round of 16, former world number one and fifth seed Caroline Wozniacki. While Vandeweghe and Wozniacki is one of the toughest fourth rounds, the winner has a great shot at reaching the semifinals, with either Magdalena Rybarikova or Petra Martic awaiting in the quarterfinals, a great shot for either the American or the Dane to reach their first semifinal at SW19.
Joshua Coase: Djokovic has the best draw and form heading into the second week with very winnable matches to come against Mannarino and probably Thiem and I would fancy his chances against Federer in the semis. The women’s draw is so unpredictable that I couldn’t call who has the best draw! But Konta, Venus, Svitolina and Ostapenko have all been very impressive in week one!
What fourth round match has you the most excited heading into ‘Manic Monday’?
Alex Burton: I think the most exciting fourth round has to be Dimitrov-Federer. It could have happened last year but Dimitrov lost to Steve Johnson in the third round. Glad we get to see them meet at Wimbledon.
Cody Fitzpatrick: Angelique Kerber vs. Garbiñe Muguruza — a matchup between 2015 and 2016 Wimbledon finalists — should be highly competitive and of top quality.
Tony Fairbairn: The matches to look for on Monday are Garbine Muguruza v Angelique Kerber in a battle between offense and defence, two former finalists battling it out. Alexander Zverev v Milos Raonic will be the match to look out for on the men’s side as the Zverev return has looked awesome so far.
Who do you think will win the title?
Joshua Coase: Novak Djokovic and Johanna Konta
Thomas Cluck: Roger Federer and Venus Williams
Alex Burton: Roger Federer
Adam Addicott: Roger Federer and Simona Halep
Tony Fairbairn: Roger Federer and Garbine Muguruza
Cody Fitzpatrick: Johanna Konta and Rafael Nadal
