Jannik Sinner has been given a tough draw at Wimbledon as he is set to play defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals.

The world number one enters Wimbledon having won the ATP 500 event in Halle, defeating Hubert Hurkacz in the final.

However Sinner’s chances of winning a maiden Wimbledon crown have a few obstacles as the Italian will likely have to play Matteo Berrettini, Tallon Griekspoor, and Grigor Dimitrov on his way to the quarter-finals.

Should Sinner get through that tough draw, the world number one will then play defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals.

However, Novak Djokovic has a much easier draw as he continues to get stronger after his meniscus surgery in Paris.

The Serb’s most dangerous opponent on his way to the final is Halle finalist Hurkacz in the quarter-finals.

A match which Djokovic edged to victory in four sets at last year’s Wimbledon.

Ubitennis founder Ubaldo Scanagatta looks back on the men’s draw and compares Sinner and Djokovic’s potential routes to the final.

Britain’s Paul Jubb amazing week ended in the semi finals after a 4-6, 5-7 loss to Sebastian Ofner – but he leaves with his head held high after seeing his ranking rocket up 88 places to provisionally #201, just a few spots shy of his career high achieved two years ago.

Austrian Ofner put in a solid match winning an astonishing 90% behind first serves, as well as an impressive 15 aces. But the headline statistic of 33 winners told the story as he consistently came out on top in baseline rallies with some fabulously constructed points mixing depth with short angles. He converted two of his three breakpoints and served out with an ace to reach his first ATP Final.

“I have always played well on grass, so for my first final to come on grass is something special,” Ofner said on court after his victory. “It’s also the surface on which I qualified for my first Grand Slam at Wimbledon. I just wanted to go with power on my first serve [at the end] because that’s the best chance to have no rally. But I played great the last games and happy that I got the win.”

Jubb should take heart from a great week where he came through qualifying to win three rounds of main draw as well as taking out top seed Ben Shelton yesterday in an epic encounter lasting two hours and 45 minutes, while Ofner contemplates a first tour title at the age of 28.

In the final, the Austrain faces Alejandro Tabilo who defeated Gael Monfils 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-3). The French veteran had recaptured his grass court form this week having not played on the surface for three years, but ran into a red-hot Tabilo who is having a career-best season by reaching his third final of the year.

Monfils closed the first set in just 28 minutes with an ace and looked convincing but Tabilo struck back by breaking twice in the second to square things up. Both men upped their game in the decider with no breaks of serve and the tie-break began with a superb 27-shot rally where Monfils – who had looked passive throughout the point – attempting a drop shot which Tabilo chased down for a backhand winner. He clenched his fist to the crowd and rode the momentum to take the match when Monfils double faulted on the last point.

“I think I started a little nervous, not really intense. I couldn’t find the court,” said Tabilo afterwards. “As the first set went on, I started getting a little looser, started hitting the ball [better]. Second set, I knew it was a new match and I had to start all over.”

Monfils now heads to Wimbledon where he will face countryman Adrian Mannarino in the first round before a possible encounter with Stan Wawrinka, while Tabilo will look to sleep well and recover for tomorrow’s title match – after which he will also contest the doubles final with partner Diego Hidalgo against Robert Galloway and Britain’s Julian Cash.

Jannik Sinner’s first Grand Slam as the top seed could see him take on a former finalist in the second round at Wimbledon next week. 

The world No.1 will start his campaign against Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann, who hasn’t won back-to-back matches on the Tour since April. Then he faces a potential mouthwatering showdown against 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini in what will be an all-Italian clash. Berrettini, who starts against Hungary’s Márton Fucsovics, is currently ranked 60th in the world but he has been sidelined from action in recent months due to injury.

Sinner is aiming to become the first Italian man to win the Wimbledon title. He enters the tournament with a win-loss record of 38-3 so far this season and has already won four titles, including the Australian Open. Last Sunday, he defeated Hubert Hurkacz to win his first ATP grass trophty in Halle. 

“It has improved for sure but I think the general level has improved,” Sinner replied when asked about his game on grass.
“I serve a little bit better which helps a lot on this surface and trying to return a little bit more aggressive.
“I’m obviously happy about this year but Wimbledon is a different tournament. Let’s see what I can do.”

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz has been drawn in the same half as Sinner, which means the two could clash in the semi-finals. A scenario that happened at the French Open earlier this year when the Spaniard won in five sets en route to the trophy. Alcaraz will play qualifier Mark Lajal in the first round in what will be the Estonian’s first appearance in the main draw of a major. He could then play Alexander Bublik in the third round followed by Casper Ruud. 

“I have more matches in my bank on grass and with the great run I had last year at Queen’s Club and Wimbledon, I know a bit on how to play and understand the game on grass,” Alcaraz recently told reporters.
“I’m more mature playing on this surface. The first practice I’ve done here, my movement wasn’t as good as last year but it’s a slow process. I have to be really focused in every practice and every match,” he added.

The 21-year-old hopes to become the first player outside the Big Three to defend the men’s title since Pete Sampras in 2000. He has played only one grasscourt event leading up to Wimbledon which was at Queen’s where he lost in the second round to Jack Draper. 

Novak Djokovic has been frantically trying to get back into shape following knee surgery after tearing the medial meniscus in his right knee. His swift recovery in time for Wimbledon has been pretty impressive as he eyes winning the tournament for the eighth time in his career which will equal Roger Federer’s record. Djokovic faces Vít Kopriva in his opening match. So far in his career, the Serbian has won 96 out of 112 matches at Wimbledon and has never lost in the first round. 

“I haven’t come here to go through a few rounds,” Djokovic recently stated. “I’m going to play if I’m sure. I’m going to take it day by day, based on how I am, how I feel and if I can play at my best.
“If I can’t play, I’ll give someone else that opportunity. I’m only going to play if I’m in a position to go far and fight for the title. I’m not pushing myself to the limit, but I hope that happens in the next few days. I wouldn’t be here without the doctors’ permission.” 

Andy Murray faces Czech Reoublic’s Tomas Machac, who he narrowly lost to at the Miami Masters earlier this year, in what could be his last-ever singles match at Wimbledon. He is still entered in the draw but it is still up in the air if he will be able to take part due to his fitness. Should he win, awaiting the former world No.1 in the second round will be either Roman Safiullin or Francisco Cerúndolo. 

Murray recently had to undergo a surgical procedure to treat a cyst in his back but has vowed to give it all to play in the event. The two-time champion has been given a wildcard to play in the doubles event alongside Jamie Murray.  

“It has been mentioned to me, ‘Are you going to withdraw before the draw at 10am on Friday?’ And I’m like, Well, no, I’m not. I’m going to wait until the last minute to see if I’m going to be able to and I’ve earned that right to do that,” said Murray. 
“This is not clear cut where I am 100% going to be ready to play or there is a 0% chance that I can play. That is the situation. I would say it’s probably more likely that I’m not able to play singles right now. I’m also f****** doing rehab 24/7 to try to give myself that opportunity to play there again.

Elsewhere, Alexander Zverev will start his campaign against Roberto Carballés Baena, Daniil Medvedev opens up against Aleksandar Kovacevic and Andrey Rublev faces Francisco Comesaña. 

As for first round matches to look out for, 19th seed Nicolas Jarry faces a potentially tricky task against 2021 semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov. Gael Monfils plays Adrian Mannarino with the winner possibly facing Stan Wawrinka. British No.1 Jack Draper will play Elias Ymer and then potentially compatriot Cameron Norrie. Finally, Felix Auger-Aliassime will begin his campaign against Thanasi Kokkinakis.

The top half of the men’s draw will be played on Monday and can be viewed HERE. 

Projected fourth round matches

Sinner vs Shelton 

Medvedev vs Dimitrov 

Alcaraz vs Humbert 

Ruud vs Paul 

Zverev vs Fritz 

Rublev vs Tsitsipas 

De Minaur vs Hurkacz 

Djokovic vs Rune

Projected quarter-final matches

Sinner vs Medvedev 

Alcaraz vs Ruud 

Rublev vs Zverev 

Hurkacz vs Djokovic

Projected semi-final matches

Alcaraz vs Sinner

Djokovic vs Zverev