Alex Mann is back with his Wimbledon 2022 predictions, this time it’s day 7, including Djokovic, Jabeur and Alcaraz.
Wimbledon 2022 predictions – Day 7
We have just witnessed a whirlwind of a day at The Championships. Eight years after she beat Serena Williams, Alize Cornet repeated her heroic win over number one’s at Wimbledon, defeating Iga Swiatek and ending her 37-match winning streak. Rafa Nadal was impressive with a straight-sets win over Lorenzo Sonego, his best tournament performance so far.
The Nick Kyrgios show was on full display, as he knocked out the number 4 seed, Stefanos Tsitsipas, in four sets to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time since 2016. Both players received warnings from the umpire in a chaotic match that included point penalties, rows with Wimbledon officials, and a highlight reel of rallies.
In my Day 6 predictions, I put my neck on the line and correctly predicted that Cornet would upset Swiatek (although I guessed it would be in 3 sets)! I also correctly predicted a straight-sets win for Nadal and a four-set win for Kyrgios over Tsitsipas.
Centre Court
Heather Watson vs Jule Niemeier
Heather Watson’s dream run continues on Centre Court as she faces the German Jule Niemeier. The last remaining Brit on the women’s side, Watson, will look to use her movement and variety to put pressure on Niemeir’s big game. Niemeier has shown us she can dominate opponents with her big serve and power, which works well on the grass. Both players had never previously reached the second week of a Slam before, so it’s all to play for. Watson beat Niemeier in three tight sets in March, so I’m predicting the Brit can repeat this in front of a home crowd.
Prediction – Watson in 3 sets
Carlos Alcaraz (5) vs Jannik Sinner (10)
The next generation’s battle sees the charismatic Carlos Alcaraz take on the big-hitting Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz seems to have found his feet on grass, with a tremendous straight sets win over Oscar Otte in the third round. Sinner has similarly improved on the grass, as he had never previously won a tour-level match on the surface before
these Championships. Alcaraz won their only previous meeting and I think his fire power and speed will help overcome the Italian.
Prediction – Alcaraz in 4 sets
Novak Djokovic (1) vs Tim van Rijthoven
Djokovic has looked unstoppable during these Championships so far with another straight sets win over Kecmanovic. Many might not recognize the name Tim van Rijthoven, but the Dutchman has had an incredible grass-court season. He had never won a tour-level main-draw match until two weeks ago, where he lifted the ‘s-Hertogenbosch title in his home country. He beat the likes of Fritz, Auger-Aliassime and Medvedev, so he is confident that he can play well against high-quality opponents. Tim will give it his all, but I don’t see him beating a 6-time Wimbledon Champion.
Prediction – Djokovic in 3 sets
Court 1
Jelena Ostapenko (12) vs Tatjana Maria
Maria looked impressive during her win over Maria Sakkari and now faces one of the hardest ball-strikers in tennis. Ostapenko has found her form this grass-court season and looks like the player who took her to the Roland Garros title in 2017. If the Latvian can find the court with her powerful groundstrokes, it is almost impossible for anyone to stop her.
Prediction – Ostapenko in 2 sets
Cameron Norrie (9) vs Tommy Paul
This is the American Tommy Paul’s first main draw appearance at The All England Club, and he will be looking to continue his run against Cameron Norrie. This is the first time Norrie has made the fourth round of a major and he is the highest seed left in his quarter. Norrie will look to use his lefty forehand to cause damage to the American, but he will have to be wary of Paul’s reliable backhand. I think this match will go five sets as both players can counter each other’s game.
Prediction – Norrie in 5 sets
Ons Jabeur (3) vs Elise Mertens (24)
Ons Jabeur has played some of the best tennis the tournament has seen so far. Mertens played an exceptional third-round match to beat the experienced Kerber in two tight sets so this will be Jabeur’s most challenging test by a long stretch. If Jabeur can produce her mesmerizing angles and drop shots, she will be tough for anyone to beat.
Prediction – Jabeur in 3 sets
Matches to watch
Caroline Garcia vs Marie Bouzková
Garcia seems to be on a roll this grass-court season, knocking out two seeds and reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time since 2017. Bouzvokva can’t be underestimated as she’s also knocked out some quality players, but Garcia won’t let another potential quarter-final appearance slip.
Prediction – Garcia in 2 sets
Frances Tiafoe (23) vs David Goffin
Both players have shown some good wins this tournament, with Tiafoe beating Bublik in the third round and Goffin defeating Humbert to progress. Tiafoe’s serve and all-round grass court game will overpower Goffin.
Prediction – Tiafoe in 3 sets
