Women

This could turn out to be one of the most open Wimbledon’s for many years. Serena is away getting ready to have a baby. That should put an end to the rumours that she’s a bloke.

Pliskova was the market favourite a week ago and that has been backed up by her winning Eastbourne this week.  She doesn’t have a good record at Wimbledon although she has started to believe that she can win a slam. She reached the US Open final last season.

I’m not sure an outsider will make it to the final as Ostapenko did at the French Open but I think we will see players reach their first slam quarter final.

Let’s have a look at the draw.

Section 1

Kerber’s section. She reached the final last year so will have high hopes of going one better this time.  She doesn’t have an easy draw. Flipkens could be a banana skin for her in the second round.  If she makes it through that one she is likely to meet Safarova in the third round and Muguruza in the 4th round.

The other half of this section is a little weaker.  Radwanska has a decent record at Wimbledon but has not been too impressive this season.

Puig and Lepchenko should make it through a few rounds and Kuznetsova seems to have a strong chance if she can get her head on straight.

Mattek Sands and Puig could cause a little havoc if the top players are not at their best.

Predicted quarter final: Kerber v Kuznetsova

Section 2

Pliskova and Wozniacki have just met in the final at Eastbourne and they are both in this section. Almost anything can happen here. Goerges has been playing well. Gavrilova can always be a tricky opponent. Pavlyuchenkova, Vandewege, Mladenovic and Kontaveit have all put in some strong performances this year.

If Pliskova can keep focused then she should get past Goerges and Gavrilova. I’m not sure Wozniacki will make the quarter finals this year.  Pironkova could give her a fright in the second round.  If she gets through Kontaveit and Vandeweghe are both capable of sending her home.

Predicted quarter final: Pliskova v Kontaveit

Section 3

This section could get messy. Lisicki made a decent return to the tour at Eastbourne though lacked some match fitness.  Her half of this section also has Strycova and Venus Williams. Its a bit of a long shot but I see Lisicki meeting Venus in the 4th round. Venus was recently in a car crash in which a man died. That may affect her but we won’t know until he gets on court.

The other half is wide open Keys will fancy her chances although Giorgi could give her a few headaches in the second round.  The winner is likely to get Ostapenko in the third round.  She should get there fairly comfortably.

Ashleigh Barty has played extremely well on grass this month. She reached the final in Birmingham and pushed Kvitova to 3 sets. The Aussie has a favourable draw and a real chance of getting to the 4th round.  She could surprise Ostapenko in the 4th round. It could all go wrong for her in the first round match with Svitolina but if she can make it past that she could cruise through the draw.

Predicted quarter final: Lisicki v Barty

Section 4

Some very strong players in this section.  Halep seems to have a good draw with Suarez Navarro and Watson looking like her main threats to her reaching the quarter final.

Konta would normally be in with a great chance with her draw but she had  a bad fall this week in Eastbourne and we don’t know how that will affect her in the early rounds. If she is ok  she should reach the third round where Kvitova seems the likely opponent. Kvitova has a couple of opponents in Duan and Garcia who could prove tricky if she is not mentally focused.

I think Watson has a reasonable chance of making the 4th round of she plays as well as she did in Eastbourne.

Predicted quarter final: Kvitova v Halep

If Kerber and Pliskova play their best tennis they will be tough to beat.  They would meet in the semi finals and the winner of that one should take the title.

Men

In recent years we have not had many surprises in the eventual winner. This time around it could be interesting. Murray is not 100% fit. Apparently he may be making some sort of announcement before the tournament starts.

Djokovic has been well below his best for a while now. He has just won the title in Eastbourne and looked a little more like is old self. I don’t think his problems were physical. He has seemed happier this week

Federer won the title again in Halle. He has been limiting his tournaments this season and did not play on clay. He won the Australian Open title after playing very little tennis before the tournament.

Let’s have a look who has a chance of making the quarter finals.

Section 1

Murray’s section.  If he was fit this would be a decent draw for him. His third round opponent is likely to be Fognini who should not trouble him at his best.  Pouille or Kyrgios in the 4th round could be where the wheels come off. As Kyrgios has also had injury issues I’d favour Pouille to win their probable third round encounter.

The other half of this section is quite strong.  Wawrinka usually shows up for the slams. Tsonga and Querrey will meet in the third round.  Wawrinka should come up against Anderson in his third round match.  Tsonga and Wawrinka would be a cracking match in the 4th round and as its a slam I’d go with Wawrinka.

Predicted quarter final: Pouille v Wawrinka

Section 2

Nadal has looked like the old Nadal when he really was the King of Clay. He has added something extra to his game which is a little more power to his serve. Whilst I don’t see him winning the title I expect him to make the second week.  He is unlikely to be challenged until he meets Muller in the 4th round and even then he should win that match. His half of the section is really quite weak.

In the other half we have Cilic who missed out on the title at Queens Club. He played extremely well that week. Florian Mayer did well in Halle and should meet Cilic in the second round.  Steve Johnson should play the winner of that match with Nishikori or Bautista Agut being the other contenders for a quarter final place..

Nishikori v Cilic would be an interesting match and is a tough one to call.

Predicted quarter final: Nadal v Nishikori

Section 3

This is Federer’s section. He has a decent draw in the early rounds. Mischa Zverev and John Isner would be his expected opponents in the third and 4th rounds respectively.  Dimitrov might beat Isner in the third round and meet Federer in the 4th. That could be a decent match.

The other half of this section sees Raonic, Sock and Alex Zverev  fighting it out for the quarter final place. Raonic should be safe up to the 4th round although he could meet Thompson in the third round. That could be a good warm up for Raonic.

Sock and Zverev should meet in the third round as long as Haase doesn’t have an inspired serving performance against Zverev.

Predicted quarter final: Raonic v Federer

Section 4

Djokovic’s section.  He doesn’t have an easy draw.  Del Potro could give him problems in the third round. Monfils should get past Edmund as long as his injury is sorted. It didn’t seem to trouble him too much in the Eastbourne final.  Monfils and Lopez are likely to meet in the third round. Lopez would have to get past Sugita who has just won the title in Antalya.

Lopez and Djokovic would be set to meet in the 4th round.

The other half of the section has Berdych, Thiem and Gasquet.  All 3 of those are capable of reaching the quarter final.  Gasquet and Berdych will play in the third round and Thiem has the slightly easier draw and will play the winner.

Predicted quarter final: Gasquet v Djokovic

Djokovic and Federer could meet in the semi finals and if I had to pick the other finalist I would go with Wawrinka.

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