Latest in Grand Slams

Women’s US Open 2023 Preview

by Alex Mann August 27, 2023

written by Alex Mann

The final major of the season is fast approaching. Here is our Women’s US Open 2023 Preview. Let’s have a look at this year’s contenders.

Women’s US Open 2023 Preview

Will world number one Iga Swiatek defend her title, or is it Coco’s calling to bring the title back home to the US? We are keen to hear your predictions in the comments below! We also made a video detailing our US Open Predictions on the Tennisnerd YouTube channel. You can also join our Tennisnerd bracket challenge prediction group here.

Iga Swiatek

Although the world number one hasn’t been the dominant force she was last season, she is still in tremendous form. The Pole won her fourth major title at this year’s French Open, cementing herself as the best clay court player in the world, and reached the Wimbledon quarter-final. In the lead-up to this year’s US Open, Swiatek reached the semi-finals of the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Masters, losing out to US Open contenders Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff. If she had played those semi-final matches last year, she probably would have won them both. Having said this, her consistency on tour cannot be faltered. You rarely see the Pole lose before the latter stages of tournaments. She has made at least the quarter-final stages of 13 out of the 14 tournaments she has entered this season—a remarkable record. Indeed, Swiatek is not as overwhelming a favorite as last year, but it will still take a great performance to beat her.

Read this article if you want to find out more about Iga Swiatek’s racquet.

Aryna Sabalenka

The Belarusian has not only had her best-ever year on tour, she’s arguably the WTA player of the year. At the beginning of the season, Sabalenka eventually broke her major duck, defeating Elena Rybakina to win her first major singles title. She backed up this result by reaching the semi-final of the next two majors. Sabalenka was leading in both those semi-final matches at the French and Wimbledon and probably should have won them. If the Belarusian needed extra motivation to win this tournament, then the world number 1 ranking on the line might help. She was one match away from dethroning Swiatek at Wimbledon. Now, she has another chance. With a good draw, I expect she will likely find herself in the same position by the end of this tournament. It would be the cherry on top of her 2023 season.

Elena Rybakina

Although the Kazakh hasn’t won a major title this year, Rybakina has backed up last year’s surprising win at Wimbledon with her most consistent season. She reached the Australian Open final at the beginning of the year, losing out to Sabalenka, before taking revenge on the hard courts of Indian Wells. You might have to take a second glance at her US Open record, but don’t let your eyes deceive you. It is correct to say that Rybakina hasn’t made it past the third round of the US Open in four attempts. It’s not the greatest record by any means and it includes a first-round loss at last year’s event. Last year, she was entering the tournament as a major champion for the first time, so I don’t know how much this could have affected her. Rybakina is now a more complete player, so I would be extremely surprised if she doesn’t make the tournament’s second week.

Do you want to know more about Rybakina? Alex Mann has written a Rybakina player profile.

Coco Gauff

It feels like we’ve been talking about this American talent for years. Now, at the tender age of 19, it feels like it’s Gauff’s time. I wouldn’t have said this a couple of months ago. Apart from reaching the French Open quarter-final, the American’s clay court season was underwhelming for her standard. Then a surprising loss in the first round at Wimbledon, be it to a stellar performance from Sofia Kenin, was not the result Coco would have been looking for leading up to her home major. Then, out of nowhere, Gauff put together the best two weeks of her young career. She won her first title of the season, lifting the Washington Open. Two weeks later, she recorded her first victory over Iga Swiatek on her way to lifting her first Masters 1000 trophy in Cincinnati. This is the first time I think Gauff has a realistic chance of winning a major singles title. It would be mighty impressive if she could do it with a remarkably tough draw and before a home crowd. Gauff could face 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva in the second round, Swiatek in the quarter-final, Rybakina in the semi, and Sabalenka in the final. Last year’s US Open was Serena Williams’ farewell to the sporting world. Will this year’s tournament be remembered as Coco Gauff’s arrival to the sporting world?

Ones to watch

Jessica Pegula

The world number 3 is entering her home major in very good form this hard-court season. She reached the semi-final of the Washington Open and won the Masters 1000 tournaments in Canada, defeating Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff. Pegula can’t be looking too far ahead in the draw as she faces a very tough task in the first round. If she can deal with the big-hitting Camila Giorgi in the first round, she could be on track to reach her first-ever major singles semi-final. Pegula has a habit of reaching the latter stages of major tournaments but hasn’t been able to break past the quarter-final stage. She hasn’t won a major quarter-final singles match in six attempts. She would likely face either last year’s semi-finalist Caroline Garcia or newly crowned Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova. These are two very winnable matches for the American. A potential semi-final with Sabalenka could be on the cards.

Ons Jabeur

Jabeur was one match away from winning her first major title. At this year’s Wimbledon, Jabeur had done all the hard work, returning to defeat defending champion Rybakina in three sets, before repeating this feat against favorite for the title, Sabalenka, to reach her third major final. A heartbreak loss against Vondrousova in the final signaled a third major final loss for Jabeur. Can the Tunisian bounce back once again and lift her first major title? She reached the US Open singles final last year but hasn’t played her best on the hard courts this season. Then again, Jabeur is the kind of player who doesn’t seem to need consistency to play her game.

Marketa Vondrousova

The surprise Wimbledon champion has backed up her impressive form this hard-court season. Vondrousova reached the quarter-final of the Cincinnati Masters, losing out to Swiatek. The Czech’s best result at the US Open came back in 2018 when she reached the fourth round as a teenager. However, she has failed to make it past the second round since, Vondrousova is a different player altogether. Now injury-free, and seeded nine at this year’s tournament, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Czech goes far. She’s also positioned in the weaker bottom half of the draw so she should reach at least the second week of the tournament.

Karolina Muchova

This year’s French Open finalist has refound her form this hard-court season. Muchova narrowly lost out to Iga Swiatek in three tight sets in Canada. She backed up this result at the Cincinnati Masters, defeating Sabalenka and Sakkari before Coco Gauff defeated her in the final. Although her US Open record is nothing to brag about, having lost in the first round of the tournament in each of the previous two years, Muchova has won her sole WTA title on the hard surface and is arguably playing some of the best tennis of her career. Expect the Czech to improve on her previous appearances at the tournament vastly.

Belinda Bencic

The former world number 4 seems to play her best tennis in New York, having made her only two major quarter-finals and one semi-final appearance at the US Open. Bencic narrowly missed a place in the 2019 US Open final, losing to eventual champion Andreescu. Her ability to redirect balls is impeccable and she used this successfully during her run to the fourth round at this year’s Wimbledon, narrowly losing out to Swiatek after having two match points. Her form can be up and down so it can be hard to predict how the Swiss will do in any match. Having said that, her run to the Canadian Open quarter-final two weeks ago and her previous experience in New York will always make her one to watch out for at this tournament.

Who do you think will do best in the Women’s US Open 2023? Let us know in the comments.

August 27, 2023 0 comment

Grand Slams Odds

French Open: An In-Depth Look at Tennis Results and Match Turning Points

by Oddspunter August 3, 2023

written by Oddspunter

When we talk about Roland Garros, most people instantly know we are talking about tennis. That is because the Roland Garros, also known as the French Open, is one of the world’s most popular and prestigious tennis tournaments.

It is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, along with the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Besides being one of the oldest tennis championships in the world and drawing a lot of attention from tennis fans, it stands out as a uniquely challenging tournament because it is disputed on red clay courts.

The clay surface requires more stamina and adaptation skills from the players, making the results more unpredictable than in any other tennis competition, which makes the Roland Garros especially interesting.

Tennis results in the French Open – and every other competition – are crucial, as they help shape narratives around players and matches. In other words, when players achieve statistical milestones or, on the other hand, defy the odds by winning unexpectedly, they create intrigue and captivate the audience.

Analyses of Past French Open Results

The Winners: A Study of Dominant Players

Analyzing the performance of multiple-time winners provides valuable insights not only into who has excelled on the clay courts but also why.

Players like Rafael Nadal and Björn Borg are two of the most prominent names in the Roland Garros for their remarkable performance in the competition. By studying their strategies and technique, we can better understand what it takes to be a winner on the challenging clay surface.

Underdogs and their Triumphs: Unforgettable Cinderella Stories

The French Open is full of surprises, which is why, more often than not, the crowd witnesses the triumph of the underdogs. There are a few Cinderella stories in the Roland Garros, that is, lesser-known players who have defied the odds and won unexpectedly. These victories help keep the tournament compelling and allow others to analyze what led these players to such a surprising win.

Battles of Endurance: An Examination of Five-set Thrillers

Five-set thrillers are the perfect example of how energetic and resilient Roland Garros players must be. Examining player performance in these battles of endurance helps us understand many decisive factors that distinguish winners from losers, such as fatigue management, focus, and pressure.

Men’s Singles

It is impossible to talk about the Men’s Singles category without addressing three legendary figures: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic. These three players have dominated the tennis landscape for years and have shown unmatched results with consistent victories.

On the clay surface, however, Rafael Nadal is nearly unbeatable. His unparalleled footwork and mental toughness have earned him the title of “King of Clay.”

Women’s Singles

Female tennis players have shown to be extremely skillful on the red clay. Names such as Chris Evert, Serena Williams, and Steffi Graf come to mind when talking about Roland Garros, as they have made history with their multiple titles over the years.

But, as mentioned before, some tennis players defy the odds. There are a few players who remain as unsung heroes despite their remarkable achievements at the French Open.

Doubles Category

The French Open is also known for its legendary partnerships, whose chemistry and coordination earned them multiple Grand Slam titles. Despite the most prominent pairs, such as Martina Hingis/Sania Mirza and Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, the French Open crowd has witnessed breakthrough victories of lesser-known but highly talented duos.

Conclusion

The French Open is a tennis competition that shows how being a good tennis player goes further than having a strong arm. A Roland Garros winner is required to develop unique techniques for this tournament’s specific surface and, above all, have an unmatched mental strength and resilience to deal with the challenges of a red clay court and the pressure of playing in one of the most popular and difficult tournaments in the world.

Additionally, the French Open results are always unpredictable, considering that it is one of the – if not the – tournaments with the widest range of champions, proving how surprising and captivating tennis can be.

August 3, 2023 0 comment

Grand Slams Odds

Triumphs and Challenges: The Aftermath of Wimbledon’s Journey for Canadian Tennis

by Oddspunter August 1, 2023

written by Oddspunter

Another Wimbledon is in the books, serving as an exceptional five-set thriller in the final where Carlos Alcaraz ousted the 23-time Grand Slam Champ, Novak Djokovic. At the same time, Marketa Vondrousova became the first unseeded women’s player to win a Wimbledon title after defeating Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-4.

However, few would have thought that among nine Canadians competing at the All-England Club, not one player would make it past the fourth round. Canada has been en route to becoming a top tennis nation, and with two Wimbledon finals appearances and a U.S. Open title, the plan is working. Well, until it didn’t.

Bad Knees End Wimbledon Dreams for Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov, Raonic Falters

Wimbledon has been a major where Canadians have had a fair share of success. The 2023 contingent was hellbent on making a notable comeback, especially in the men’s draw. The 2016 Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic competed for the first time since 2019, Felix Auger-Aliassime, the 11th seed of the tournament, and Denis Shapovalov were ready to set the bum knees aside and make a deep run.

Sadly, Auger-Aliassime, lost in the first round at the All England Club against a Lucky Loser qualifier in the opening round, his second consecutive Wimbledon exit in the first round. Sadly, Auger-Alliassime’s tendon damage to the left knee and the fact that he hasn’t played a match since his opening-round loss of the French Open against Fabio Fognini proved to be too big of an obstacle in the end.

Despite his strict weight-loss regimen that helped him lose three stone in a month to get in the best shape for SW19, Milos Raonic only managed to reach the second round, where he was beaten in four sets by 16th seed Tommy Paul. It remains to be seen if Raonic will continue his career, but as far as Wimbledon is concerned, he hinted that this was probably his last outing at the All-England Club.

The betting experts at LegalBetCanada gave Denis Shapovalov good odds of reaching the later stages of the tournament, but Safiullin, ranked 92nd in the world, downed Shapovalov in four sets, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 on the No. 2 Court. Shapo, the 26th seed, struggled with his serve throughout the match, resulting in 11 double faults. The subpar performance could be attributed to his knee injury, which was only aggravated after the performance, causing him to limp off the court after the match had ended.

With Shapo out of the picture, Canada lost all chances of the title in men’s singles, switching focus to next year’s edition of the famed tournament.

Andreescu, Fernandez, and Zhao — A Medley of Milestones, Comebacks and Disappointment

Bianca Andreescu remains the only Canadian ever to win a Grand Slam singles title in an epic match against Serena Williams in New York at the U.S. Open in 2019. However, Andreescu seems to have struggled to reach any notable consistency since that win. Admittedly, getting to Wimbledon’s third round this year was her back-to-back third round at Grand Slam events this year, a feat in its own right.

But, the world no.44 was beaten by Ons Jabeur 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, who was simply too good on that day at Central Court.

Fernandez ranked no 86, is also searching for that form that took her to the 2021 U.S. Open final she lost to Britain’s Emma Raducanu, one of the tennis stars solely missed at this year’s Wimbledon. Her great backcourt play and power strikes helped Fernandez take the first set against the French fifth seed Caroline Garcia in the second round, but Garcia ultimately won the championship tiebreak 10-6 in the decider and stopped Fernandez’s efforts dead in the track.

Canadian veteran Carol Zhao can be pleased with the performance of her first-ever main draw at a Grand Slam. Tamara Korpatsch of Germany was just a little better in all key segments, like winners, and made fewer mistakes, winning 1-6, 6-4, and 6-2 in the end.

Rebecca Marino, the fourth lady to headline the Canadian women’s tennis team at 2023 Wimbledon, is back at it after an 11-year hiatus. The world’s 88th player, Marino, fought bravely against Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu in the opening round but couldn’t quite find a foothold in the match, failing 6-2, 3-6, and 6-2.

U.S Open — A Shot at Redemption

Canadian players have already turned their focus towards National Bank Open in Toronto and Montreal, the only ATP 1000 Masters tournament in the Great White North, in a bid to defend the home court. After the National Bank Open, the spotlight turns to the U.S. Open in New York, where Canadians have had much success over the years.

August 1, 2023 0 comment

Grand Slams Predictions

The Wimbledon Final 2023 – Novak Djokovic VS Carlos Alcaraz

by Oddspunter August 1, 2023

written by Oddspunter

An atmosphere of anticipation had descended on the Wimbledon final 2023 in London. The spectators awaited a classic duel between the young prodigy, Carlos Alcaraz, the current world number one, and the veteran maestro, Novak Djokovic, ranked second. Little did they know, they were about to witness one of the most gripping matches in the history of Grand Slam finals.

Wimbledon Final 2023

The Rivalry on the Grass Court

From the onset, the match swung like a pendulum, with Djokovic taking the first set, showcasing his trademark clinical precision. But Alcaraz quickly retaliated in the second set, revealing the reason behind his meteoric rise to the top ATP rank. Winning a tiebreak against Djokovic is a feat few can boast about, and yet the 20-year-old Alcaraz did just that, breaking Djokovic’s usually impeccable tiebreak record. Confidence surging, Alcaraz stormed into the third set, stunning the Serbian champion and claiming a 2-1 lead.

Djokovic’s Uncharacteristic Unforced Mistakes

However, we’ve seen repeatedly that it’s not easy to keep Djokovic down. He made a stirring comeback in the fourth set, using his experience to bring the match into the deciding fifth set. A subtle but crucial shift in the game’s dynamics was observed in this. Djokovic’s usually impervious gameplay saw an unusual number of unforced mistakes. He was trying to hit his shots straight to the line or the corner, pushing Alcaraz, but the young Spaniard kept returning them with an agility that belied his age.

The Deciding Set and Alcaraz’s Unyielding Spirit

Entering the fifth set, both players knew the stakes had never been higher. Both were solid on their serves, but Alcaraz’s indomitable spirit eventually turned the tide in his favor. He broke Djokovic’s serve in a crucial game, returning every shot with a perfect balance of power and precision. Despite his exceptional positioning and shot-making skills, Djokovic couldn’t manage to break Alcaraz’s serve in return.

The Punters’ Paradise

It’s worth mentioning that the uncertainty that accompanied each point made this match a punters’ paradise. The odds offered by the bookmaker Unibet swayed with each game, offering a roller coaster of a ride to the betting world.

The End of an Unforgettable Encounter

With every rally, every serve, and every return, the young Alcaraz demonstrated that he could match Djokovic’s patience and grit, a trait that often separates the Serbian from his peers. Finally, with 168 points won to Djokovic’s 166, Alcaraz emerged victorious in a match short of a clash of titans.

Reflecting on this Wimbledon Final, one can say with certainty that Alcaraz has cemented his place at the top of the tennis world. Despite Djokovic’s valiant effort and his unmatched resilience, it was Alcaraz’s day in the end, proving that age and speed could indeed outdo experience.

In the end, tennis fans worldwide got what they came for an unforgettable match between two champions, the drama and thrill of which personified the very spirit of Grand Slam finals. With each shot, the London grass court was etched with memories of a match that will be discussed for years.

August 1, 2023 0 comment

Grand Slams News

Wimbledon 2023 Review

by Alex Mann July 19, 2023

written by Alex Mann

Now that the 136th Wimbledon Championships is over let’s look back on the men’s and women’s finals with our Wimbledon 2023 Review.

Wimbledon 2023 Review

The last two weeks have brought us many storylines, twists and turns, and new champions. I’m unsure how many people had Marketa Vondrousova and Carlos Alcaraz lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish and the Gentlemen’s Singles Trophy.

Wimbledon 2023 Ladies’ final

Before this year’s tournament, Vondrousova had only ever won one match on the grass courts of SW19. The Czech drop-shotted her way to the final before dismantling Ons Jabeur to become the first unseeded player to lift the women’s Wimbledon trophy.

Once again, it was heartbreak for Jabeur, losing her second successive Wimbledon final in a match where she was the overwhelming favorite. Last year felt like the title was Jabeur’s to lose, and this year, even more so. She’d done the hard work by defeating the defending champion, Rybakina, in the quarter-final and coming back to beat the world number 2, Sabalenka, in the semi-final.

The occasion seemed to affect Jabeur. She looked tight and nervous, spraying shots all over the court. Was this a missed opportunity for the Tunisian? I think so. In her on post-match on-court speech, Jabeur said her defeat to Vondrousova was the most painful loss of her career. It’s hard to see that the Tunisian will have a better chance to win than she did on Saturday.

But one thing is for sure. Jabeur will keep fighting and believing she can lift the Venus Rosewater Dish.

Wimbledon 2023 Men’s Final

The men’s final couldn’t have been any more different.

The 20-year-old, world number 1 sensation Carlos Alcaraz knocked the defending champion Novak Djokovic off his throne in an enthralling final, which lasted just shy of five hours.

They say to become a great, you have to beat a great. This is what Alcaraz did on Sunday evening.

What was even more impressive was that he was playing in his first Wimbledon final. On the other hand, Djokovic was competing in his ninth final at the All England Club and hadn’t lost on Centre Court for ten years.

After a slow start from Alcaraz, which saw Djokovic take the opening set, the young Spaniard came back in the second-set tiebreak. Alcaraz hit some out-of-this-world drop shots and a stunning backhand return winner to make it one set all.

To summarise the third set, you only need to watch the grueling 26-minute game, which included 13 deuces. Both players were hitting winners, which they had no right to hit and scrambling around the court to retrieve almost unretrievable balls. Throw in some challenged line calls. This game had everything.

But once again it was Alcaraz who came up with the goods, giving him a healthy double break.

The match that had it all

A dejected Djokovic looked on as Alcaraz took 2 sets to one lead. Now it was do or die for the Serb looking to win his fifth straight title at SW19.

In Djokovic fashion, he piled on the pressure, playing more aggressively, and broke Alcaraz in the fourth to take the match into a deciding set.

Coming into the final set, the match hung in the balance. Djokovic had the momentum, but Alcaraz looked like he had another gear.

How many times have we seen Djokovic save breakpoints on his own service game and immediately break his opponent in the next one?

It was Alcaraz’s time to play one out of Djokovic’s handbook. Djokovic earned himself a breakpoint in the Spaniard’s first service game of set five. The Serb continued to attack, hitting the corners and making Alcaraz devise some absurd defense.

Under pressure, Alcaraz hit a lob while Djokovic was at the net. Expecting Djokovic to let it bounce, he instead took the ball out of the air and attempted to hit a two-handed backhand smash. The Serb pummelled the ball into the middle of the net.

Alcaraz responded by breaking Djokovic in the next game with a super backhand passing shot before serving his way to the title.

Djokovic didn’t play a bad match by any means. Alcaraz played a level of tennis I didn’t think he had, or I don’t think Djokovic thought he had.

If this is truly the passing of the torch, I don’t think you could have asked for a better match for this moment.

July 19, 2023 0 comment

Grand Slams Predictions

Wimbledon 2023 Women’s Final Predictions

by Alex Mann July 15, 2023

written by Alex Mann

Wimbledon 2023 Women’s Final Prediction. The match between Ons Jabeur and Marketa Vondrousosva will determine the winner of the third grand slam of the year.

Wimbledon 2023 Women’s Final Predictions

Ons Jabeur (6) vs Marketa Vondrousova

Will it be third time lucky for Jabeur as she looks to lift her first major title or will Vondrousova become the first unseeded women’s singles champion at Wimbledon?

Jabeur will undoubtedly be the favourite. The Tunisian has has made it clear of her ambitions to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish. Jabeur chose a photo of the trophy as her phone screensaver during her run to last year’s final.
A year ago, she was expected to win. However, the big-serving Elena Rybakina powered her way through Jabeur to take what many people felt was the Tunisian’s title to win.

This time around, her run to the final has felt different. Not only has Ons fought her way past four major champions, she’s done it the hard way, dropping the opening set down in three of those four matches.

What’s more impressive is her ability to adapt her game against the game styles of the opponents she’s faced.

In her third-round match, she had to overcome an inspired Bianca Andreescu. In her fourth-round match, she cracked the two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova’s lefty game.

Reaching the quarter-final stage was no easy task. This task wouldn’t get any easier as she faced Elena Rybakina in a rematch of last year’s final. Jabeur knuckled down, cut out the drop shots, and played aggressive tennis, taking time away from the big-serving Rybakina.

Jabeur to win this time?

Knocking out the defending champion was no easy feat, and it didn’t get any easier in the semi-final against the world number 2 and many people’s favourite to win the title, Aryna Sabalenka.

Once again, Jabeur continued her attacking play, redirecting Sabalenka’s shots and hitting a flurry of exquisite down-the-line bachands which the Belarusian could only watch and admire.

Coming from a set down to defeat the two-biggest hitters in women’s tennis on a surface that rewards big-hitting is no fluke. Jabeur will get another chance to make her Wimbledon dreams come true. But will she be able to conjure her magic against a player who’s beaten her twice already this year?

Standing in her way is the world number 42 Marketa Vondrousova. As a teenager, the Czech reached the 2019 French Open final, losing out to Ash Barty.

Vondrousova’s experience playing in a major final will be a handy asset. Nobody has been able to handle the Czech’s unique lefty forehand, which she has utilized to take apart the games of the Kudermetova, Vekic, Bouzkova, Pegula and Svitolina.
Her backhand drop shots and swinging serves have been near impossible to retrieve on the grass this fortnight, so Jabeur must be on her toes.

However, Jabeur is not like Vondrousova’s previous opponents. She can give Vondrousova a taste of her own medicine with her own slices and dropshots.

As well as Vondrousova has played this tournament, I can’t see how Jabeur lets this chance escape her grasp.
If Ons is victorious on Saturday, she will become the first Arab and African woman to win a major singles title.

Prediction – Jabeur to win in 2 sets

July 15, 2023 0 comment

Grand Slams Predictions

Wimbledon 2023 Men’s Semi-Finals Predictions

by Alex Mann July 14, 2023

written by Alex Mann

We are only two days away from the Wimbledon final. Here are our Wimbledon 2023 Men’s Semi-Final Predictions.

Wimbledon 2023 Men’s Semi-Final Predictions

I think we should start with what happened yesterday. Here is my Day 11 Predictions Summary – Women’s Semi-Finals.

The predictions

Svitolina to beat Vondrousova in 2 sets
Sabalenka to beat Jabeur in 2 sets

Day 11 Results

Vondrousova beat Svitolina in 2 sets – 0 points
Jabeur beat Sabalenka in 3 sets – 0 points

The 2023 Women’s Singles Final is now set. Marketa Vondrousova will face last year’s finalist, Ons Jabeur, for a chance to take home the Venus Rosewater Dish.

Vondrousova played a perfect match to end the fairy-tale run of Elina Svitolina. The Czech is the first unseeded woman to reach the Wimbledon singles final since 1963.

Jabeur returned from the brink of defeat to defeat Aryna Sabalenka in three grueling sets. Ons now has a chance to right her wrongs of last year’s Wimbledon final defeat and lift the trophy for the first time.

Now it’s time to preview the Men’s semi-finals.

Men’s semi-finals preview

If you want to place a bet on the Wimbledon 2023 Men’s Semi-Finals, you can check out our tennis betting pages.

Novak Djokovic (2) vs Jannik Sinner (8)

In a rematch of last year’s quarter-final, the 7-time champion Novak Djokovic takes on the young Italian, Jannik Sinner for a place in the Wimbledon final. A year ago, Sinner took two sets to love lead against Djokovic, only for the Serb to fight his way back and win in five sets. If you don’t remember the match, you may remember Djokovic hitting one of the best passing shots I’ve ever seen. The Serb hit a spiderman-like, on the full stretch, cross-court, passing shot which flew straight past a flabbergasted Sinner. If that match was anything to go by, expect this one to be even better. Sinner has the game to trouble Djokovic. He has power on both wings and more importantly, has one of the strongest backhands on tour which will stand up to Djokovic’s two-hander. The Italian’s serve has been very effective this fortnight and will need to continue to hit his spots against the best returner in the world. The one part of the Italian’s game that Djokovic will expose is his net game. I think the Serb may bring out the backhand drop shot to take Sinner out of his comfort zone. Sinner will need to keep the points short and outhit Djokovic. I have no doubt he can do it for a set or two. But over five sets, I can’t see it.

Prediction – Djokovic to win in 4 sets

Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs Daniil Medvedev (3)

Stylistically, this is the most intriguing of the two men’s semi-final matches. The charismatic Alcaraz takes on the big-serving, rock-solid Medvedev. Medvedev narrowly came through a tough five-set match against Chris Eubanks in the quarter-final, while Alcaraz dispatched fellow 20-year-old, Holger Rune in three sets. Rune didn’t play a bad match. Alcaraz was just too good. The Spaniard’s forehand was on fire, and his movement was exceptional. Medvedev is one of the best movers on tour and his ability to turn defense into attack from his extreme return positions is incredible. I expect Medvedev to continue this trend and return from deep positions to nullify Alcaraz’s shots. However, if the Russian’s return is slightly off, Alcaraz will take advantage and will look to serve and volley to take time away from Medvedev. When the Spaniards beat the Russians in the final of Indian Wells, the drop shot worked a treat. I could see him implementing this strategy again. As good as Medvedev’s movement is, it’s hard to defend on grass. Medvedev will put up a good fight and could snatch a set, but I expect Alcaraz to come through.

Prediction – Alcaraz to win in 4 sets

July 14, 2023 0 comment

Grand Slams Predictions

Wimbledon 2023 Day 11 Predictions

by Alex Mann July 13, 2023

written by Alex Mann

We are nearing the end of Wimbledon 2023. Here are our Wimbledon 2023 Day 11 Predictions. Who do you think will reach the final?

Wimbledon 2023 Day 11 Predictions

My Day 10 Predictions Summary

Jabeur to beat Rybakina in 3 sets
Alcaraz to beat Rune in 4 sets
Sabalenka to beat Keys in 2 sets
Medvedev to beat Eubanks in 4 sets

Day 10 Results

Jabeur beat Swiatek in 3 sets – 2 points
Alcaraz beat Rune in 3 sets – 1 point
Sabalenka beat Keys in 2 sets – 2 points
Medvedev beat Eubanks in 5 sets – 1 point

At the start of the women’s tournament, 128 players were fighting it out for a chance to become Wimbledon champions. Only 4 players remain. Elina Svitolina, Marketa Vondrousova, Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur.

Let’s preview the women’s semi-finals. Are you interested in placing a bet, check out our tennis betting information.

Day 11 Predictions – Women’s semi-finals preview

Elina Svitolina vs Marketa Vondrousova

Elina Svitolina is having the tournament of her career. The Ukrainian continues her dream run having only returned to the tour in April after the birth of her child. On her way to the semi-final, Svitolina has fought past Venus Williams, Elise Mertens, Sofia Kenin, Victoria Azarenka and Iga Swiatek. Four out of those five players are major champions. Beating them back-to-back is no easy feat. In the quarter-final, the Ukrainian’s new and improved game was on display against the world number 1 Swiatek. Svitolina seems to be hitting the ball with a lot more venom. In her win over Swiatek, she hit an impressive 25 winners. She will have to continue this against the tricky left-hander Marketa Vondrousova. Before this fortnight, Vondrousova had only ever won one match at the All England Club in four appearances. Now she’s won five on the trot to reach her first major semi-final since the 2019 French Open. Vondrousova’s down-the-line forehand and backhand drop shots have been deadly all tournament, so she will look to use these weapons to take time away from Svitolina. As good as the Czech’s run has been, it feels like this is Svitolina’s time to reach her first-ever major final. The crowd will be behind the Ukrainian, which will help her get over the finish line.

Prediction – Svitolina to win in 2 sets

Aryna Sabalenka (2) vs Ons Jabeur (6)

In the second week of the tournament, Sabalenka has looked unbeatable. The world number 2 has been serving brilliantly and striking the ball perfectly. Her quarter-final opponent Madison Keys didn’t play a poor match. She was just outplayed by the Belarusian. This season, Sabalenka seems to have developed an aura of confidence. She’s not only improved her serve, but she’s hitting with more precision and confidence. If there’s one player who could cause Sabalenka problems on the grass, it’s probably her opponent. Ons was on fire in her three-set win over defending champion Elena Rybakina, avenging last year’s final loss. Jabeur used her tennis IQ, anticipating the Rybakina forehand while keeping the ball low and out of the Kazakh’s hitting zone. Ons’ down-the-line backhand worked a treat, wrong-footing Rybakina multiple times. Rybakina is a good warm-up match for Ons coming into this semi-final. Expect Jabeur to use the same tactics. It will be a closely contested match, but I give the Belarusian the slight edge. Sabalenka was my favourite to win the tournament from day one, so I’m sticking with my pick.

Prediction – Sabalenka to win in 2 sets

July 13, 2023 0 comment

Grand Slams Predictions

Wimbledon 2023 Day 10 Predictions

by Alex Mann July 12, 2023

written by Alex Mann

It’s that time of day. Here are our Wimbledon 2023 Day 10 Predictions, courtesy of Alex Mann, including a summary of day 9.

Wimbledon 2023 Day 10 Predictions

Before we get into day 10 and the exciting matches that await, let’s look at the predictions summary for yesterday. If you are into betting on tennis, check out our betting guide—more info about Wimbledon, as always, on the official Wimbledon website.

My Day 9 Predictions Summary

Swiatek to beat Svitolina in 2 sets
Djokovic to beat Rublev in 3 sets
Vondrousova to beat Pegula in 3 sets
Sinner to beat Safiullin in 3 sets

Day 9 Results

Svitolina beat Swiatek in 3 sets – 0 points
Djokovic beat Rublev in 4 sets – 1 point
Vondrousova beat Pegula in 3 sets – 2 points
Sinner beat Safiullin in 4 sets – 1 point

The standout moment from Day 9 of The Championships was Elina Svitolina’s emotional three-set win against the world number 1, Iga Swiatek. The Ukrainian, who only returned to the tour in April after giving birth to her baby, has defeated four former major champions on her way to the semi-finals of Wimbledon for the first time in her career.

Can Svitolina continue her comeback story? Only Marketa Vondrousova stands in her way for a place in the Wimbledon final.

Day 10 Predictions

Elena Rybakina (3) vs Ons Jabeur (6)

This is the match-up we’ve all been waiting for. The defending champion Elena Rybakina takes on the 2022 finalist Ons Jabeur in a rematch of last year’s memorizing final. Both players have been in tremendous form this fortnight, so we can expect fireworks. Rybakina has been serving lights-out all week, so it will be extremely hard for Jabeur to break her. If Jabeur can dink the return back into play, the Kazakh will use her ferocious groundstrokes and ability to finish points at the net to take time away from the Tunisian. Rybakina loves rhythm but if there’s one player who can break this, it’s probably the rhythm-breaker herself, Jabeur. Jabeur will use the slice to nullify Rybakina’s power and keep the Kazakh off-balance. The Tunisian will look to dictate with the forehand and the backhand drop shot to keep Rybakina guessing. Before Jabeur’s stunning performances over Andreescu and Kvitova, I would have given Rybakina the edge in this match. Now, I think it could be Ons’ time to get revenge.

Prediction – Jabeur to win in 3 sets

Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs Holger Rune (6)

Another highly anticipated match sees the two 20-year-olds do battle on Centre Court. Both players have quickly adapted to the grass courts and have produced some stunning results this fortnight. Rune’s tennis level has never been questioned, but in the past, his mental game has. Through this tournament, he has shown improvements in this department, coming through two grueling matches against Davidovich Fokina and Dimitrov. On the other hand, Alcaraz has reminded us of how good he is despite his lack of grass-court experience. The young Spaniard tore apart Berrettini’s game and will look to do the same today against the Dane. Both players hit big, have exceptional movement, and can hit highlight reel shots for days, so expect some close sets. You have to give the slight edge to Alcaraz, given his better record at the majors, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Rune snatched the victory.

Prediction – Alcaraz to win in 4 sets

Aryna Sabalenka (2) vs Madison Keys (25)

By reaching the quarter-final, Keys has equalled her best ever run at Wimbledon. The American’s game is a dream to watch on the grass. This fortnight, she has been timing the ball to perfection while showing her ability to adapt her game mid-match. In the third set of her fourth-round comeback win against the 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva, Keys began to rush the net, which worked a treat. She might have to employ this strategy again, as Sabalenka won’t be afraid to go toe-to-toe with Keys. Sabalenka hits as big or arguably even bigger than Keys and her ability to redirect the ball is outstanding. Throw in Sabalenka’s serve and underrated touch, Keys will have to play her best if she has a chance in this match.

Prediction – Sabalenka to win in 2 sets

Daniil Medvdev (3) vs Chris Eubanks

Chris Eubanks had to be one of the biggest stories on the men’s side of the tournament. The American has produced some stunning tennis to reach the quarter-final of Wimbledon in his first-main draw appearance. Eubanks defeated last year’s semi-finalist Cameron Norrie in the second round and came through a whirlwind match against Tsitsipas in the fourth round. The American will have nothing to lose in this match, as he is the underdog. Medvedev is one of the best returners in the world, and his ability to nullify his opponent’s shots and turn defence into attack is special. Eubanks could snatch a set, but I expect Medvedev’s experience to pull him through.

Prediction – Medvedev to win in 4 sets

July 12, 2023 0 comment

Grand Slams Predictions

Wimbledon 2023 Day 9 Predictions

by Alex Mann July 11, 2023

written by Alex Mann

Alex Mann has done a great job of predicting Wimbledon results. Here are his Wimbledon 2023 Day 9 Predictions.

Wimbledon 2023 Day 9 Predictions

My Day 8 Predictions Summary

Rybakina to beat Haddad Maia in 2 sets
Jabeur to beat Kvitova in 3 sets
Berrettini to beat Alcaraz in 5 sets
Medvedev to beat Lehecka in 4 sets
Sabalenka to beat Alexandrova in 2 sets
Rune to beat Dimitrov in 5 sets
Keys to beat Andreeva in 2 sets
Tsitsipas to beat Eubanks in 4 sets

Day 8 Results

Rybakina beat Haddad Maia in 2 sets – 2 points
Jabeur beat Kvitova in 2 sets – 1 point
Alcaraz beat Berrettini in 4 sets – 0 points
Medvedev beat Lehecka in 3 sets – 1 point
Sabalenka beat Alexandrova in 2 sets – 2 points
Rune beat Dimitrov in 4 sets – 1 point
Keys beat Andreeva in 3 sets – 1 point
Eubanks beat Tsitsipas in 3 sets – 0 points

Day 8 wasn’t my best day for predictions, getting 8 points out of 16. Let’s see how I do predicting the quarter-finals. Who do you think will win in the Wimbledon quarter-finals? if you want to place a bet on the tennis, you can check out some good tennis betting sites here.

Iga Swiatek (1) vs Elina Svitolina

Swiatek is fortunate to still be in the draw. The world number 1 courageously saved two match points against Belinda Bencic in the fourth round, scraping through in three tough sets. Swiatek wasn’t at her best, spraying balls long and making too many unforced errors. She will need to play a lot better against Svitolina whose dream run continues. The wildcard has been in impeccable form this week, defeating Venus Williams, Mertens, Kenin, and Azarenka to make her second consecutive major quarter-final since returning to the tour in April. This will be her toughest match by far, but she can take some pointers from Bencic’s performance. Bencic was to use her flat shots to absorb and rush the Pole’s topspin game. Svitolina is a more defensive player than Bencic but will need to take time away from Swiatek if she is going to win. I expect Swiatek to step up her game and dictate the points. I think the Pole will win in two tight sets.

Prediction – Swiatek to win in 2 sets

Novak Djokovic (2) vs Andrey Rublev (7)

Djokovic showed his true class, returning brilliantly to withstand a serving masterclass from Hurkacz in the fourth round, winning the match in 4 tight sets. Rublev not only gave us an incredible five sets win against Bublik but also produced arguably the shot of the tournament. Bublik hit an on-the-run backhand down the line, which looked to fly past Rublev for a winner, but the Russian flung himself at the ball, squash-shotting the ball back in play. Rublev will need a couple more of these miracle shots to beat Djokovic. So far in this tournament, the only players who have troubled Djokovic are the ones with superb serves. Unfortunately for Rublev, he doesn’t have the biggest serve, so will struggle to win many free points against the best returner in the world. Djokovic leads the head-to-head 3-1 but they have never played against each other on the grass. As good as Rublev is, he lacks the weapons and court craft to disrupt Djokovic. Overall, Djokovic is just better than Rublev in every department, so I think this will be a routine win for the Serb.

Prediction Djokovic to win in 3 sets

Jessica Pegula (4) vs Marketa Vondrousova

The American is having her best-ever run at the All England Club and has now reached the quarter-final stage at every major. A pretty impressive stat. It has to be noted that Pegula has had a fairly easy run to the quarter-final, having not faced a seed all fortnight. Vondrousova, on the other hand, has fought her way through a tricky draw, defeating the likes of Kudermetova, Vekic and Bouzkova. The Czech will use her lefty forehand and devastating backhand drop shots to keep Pegula on the run. Pegula’s consistency will be her biggest weapon which could be a problem for Vondrousova if she’s inconsistent. I give the slight edge to the Czech as she’s beaten high-ranked players, but the match will be on her racquet.

Prediction – Vondrousova to win in 3 sets

Jannik Sinner (8) vs Roman Safiullin

Sinner has been quality making his way through the draw as he returns to the quarter-final stage for the second year running. In only his first main draw appearance at SW19, Roman Safiullin will be over the moon with his run to the quarter-final. He defeated Bautista-Agut in the first round, got the better of former Wimbledon semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov in four sets to set up this clash with Sinner. Safiullin likes to take the ball early and will try to match Sinner’s ball striking from the baseline. However, Sinner’s serve and movement have been improving with every match so this should help him overcome this battle without too many problems.