Saturday at Wimbledon will be the conclusion of the first week’s action, before the traditional day of rest on Sunday. By the end of play today, we should have all round of 16 matches finalized for the best day of the tennis year on Monday.
Garbine Muguruza vs. Sorana Cirstea
This is the most intriguing matchup on the outer courts to start the day at 11:30am local time, prior to action commencing on Centre Court and No.1 Court at 1pm. Muguruza was a Wimbledon finalist two years ago, and last year’s French Open champion. But since that career achievement at Roland Garros over a year ago, Muguruza has struggled mightily. The Spaniard has dropped to number 15 in the world, and has not advanced to a final at any tournament since winning her French Open title. With her normal coach, Sam Sumyk, absent from Wimbledon, former Wimbledon Champion Conchita Martinez has stepped in to work with Muguruza. Perhaps the new voice in the coaching box, especially a voice that has won this tournament, will help Garbine turns things around. It will also be interesting to see how Muguruza reacts to other top contenders being eliminated from the ladies’ draw. We’ve have repeatedly seen how so many of the top-ranked women do not perform well when they become a favourite to take the title. Her opponent on Saturday has not been past the first week at a major since the 2009 French Open, and had a losing record at Wimbledon coming into these Championships. Muguruza defeated Cirstea rather easily at this year’s Australian Open, but Cirstea is more talented than her ranking of 63 reveals, and capable of competing with the best in the game on any given day. Still this match will be all about Muguruza: is she ready to seize the moment and make another deep run at a major?
Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Timea Bacsinszky
The first match of the day on Centre Court features two of the more reserved players on tour, but also two very strong competitors. Radwanska is lucky to still be in the tournament, as she had to save match points on Thursday to defeat American Christina McHale. Agnieszka has struggled in 2017 and also battled injury, and she arrived at Wimbledon with almost as many losses as victories on the year. Bacsinszky is coming off her third straight run to the later stages of the French Open, and was a quarterfinalist at The All England Club in 2015. Bacsinszky is actually 2-0 against Radwanska, but they have yet to meet on grass. This should be a fun match to watch with a lot of slice, finesse, and strategic tennis.
Novak Djokovic vs. Ernest Gulbis
Next up on Centre Court will be a seemingly rejuvenated former champion against a resurgent former top ten player who is currently ranked 589th in the world. Gulbis appears to finally be finding his form again after nursing multiple injuries over the past few years. Djokovic looked really strong in his first two rounds this week, but will he be able to sustain a high level over the next two weeks and against much stiffer competition? Gulbis is likely not ready to challenge Djokovic at this time, but this may be a better indication of just how much confidence Novak has regained.
Roger Federer vs. Mischa Zverev
After skipping the entire clay court season, Federer looks to have quickly returned to a very high level on the grass. The older Zverev brother is having the best season of his career. He made a shocking run to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, which included an epic five set victory over John Isner and the upset of world number one Andy Murray. Federer was actually the one to end Mischa’s run in Melbourne. The two had a rematch a few weeks ago on the grass of Halle, which was a tight but straight set victory for Roger. Zverev’s play harkens back to yesteryear with his serve and volley style, much like Federer used to do when he first arrived at Wimbledon almost two decades ago. Federer will be heavily favored in what ought to be an aesthetically pleasing contest.
Tomas Berdych vs. David Ferrer
It’s harder to find two bigger victims of the “big four” era than Berdych and Ferrer. Both have been consistent top 10 players over the past decade, yet each have only made one major final and have no major titles to their names. Both have also seen their rankings drop as of late. Berdych is currently ranked 15th, while Ferrer has dropped all the way to 39th. This is the first major in well over a decade where Ferrer is unseeded. With his movement slowed by age, he’s struggled to get wins. The Spaniard actually arrived at SW19 with a losing record in 2017, and is a surprise to even make it this far at his worst-performing major considering his recent form. Berdych is a much better grass court player, but Ferrer actually slightly leads their head-to-head 8-7. Ferrer is also one of the fiercest competitors around, so you can never fully count him out.
Order of play
Centre Court
Radwanska v Bacsinszky
Gulbis v Djokovic
Zverev v Federer
Court 1
Raonic v Ramos-Vinolas
Kontaveit v Wozniacki
Thiem v Donaldson
Court 2
Cirstea v Muguruza
Kerber v Rogers
Ofner v Zverev
Court 3
Dimitrov v Sela
Riske v Vandeweghe
Ferrer v Berdych
Court 12
Hercog v Kuznetsova
Monfils v Mannarino
Court 18
Rybarikova v Tsurenko
Martic v Diyas
