Alex Mann is back with his Wimbledon 2022 quarter-final predictions. Who will join Novak and Norrie in the semi-finals?
Wimbledon 2022 Quarter-final Predictions
It was a day of comebacks at The All England Club as Novak Djokovic, Cameron Norrie, Tatjana Maria, and Ons Jabeur all fought back to reach the semi-final of Wimbledon.
Djokovic reminded us why he is a 6-time Wimbledon champion, coming back from two sets down to defeat Jannik Sinner. The Serb produced outstanding shotmaking, including a fully-stretched sliding backhand pass, to reach his 11th Wimbledon semi-final.
The fairy-tale story continues for Tatjana Maria as she came back to defeat fellow German Jule Niemeier in three thrilling sets. As Niemeier netted a forehand, Maria dropped her racquet in disbelief as she reached her first major semi-final, 15 years since her first major appearance.
Ons Jabeur took one step further by overcoming Marie Bouzková. The Tunisian’s devastating drop shots were on full display as she dropped only two games in the last two sets to keep her Wimbledon dreams alive.
Cameron Norrie rounded up the comebacks as he dug in deep to beat Goffin, 7-5 in the fifth set. In front of a packed-out British court, Norrie was overcome by emotion after reaching his first major semi-final to set up a match with Djokovic.
It’s the final day of the quarter-final stage, so let’s preview the matches!
Centre Court
Simona Halep (16) vs Amanda Anisimova (20)
Halep dispatched Paula Badosa in the fourth round, dropping only three games to move to the quarter-final of Wimbledon for the fifth time in her career. Anisimova has also played some outstanding tennis to defeat Guaff and the in-form Tan. This intriguing matchup will see Halep’s counter-punching tennis go up against Anisimova’s ball-striking.
Anisimova has the game to hit through Halep, especially on the backhand side and on the returns. However, the American will be forced to hit more balls and must be consistent as Halep’s defense capabilities are second to none. The Romanian knows how to play on grass and will use her experience as Wimbledon champion in 2019 in this match. Halep has looked flawless this tournament, and I don’t see anyone beating her.
Prediction – Halep in 2 sets
Rafael Nadal (2) vs Taylor Fritz (11)
Two days ago, Nadal produced his best Wimbledon performance to beat Botic van de Zandschulp in three sets to set up a quarter-final clash with Fritz. Fritz has played some exceptional tennis, having not dropped a set. Fritz has beaten Nadal before, defeating the Spaniard to lift the Indian Wells Masters title in March. Although Nadal was injured during the match and not at his peak level, Fritz will take some inspiration from this. Nadal will need to be at the top of his game, given the American’s success on grass this season. Having said this, Nadal seems to have found his rhythm, especially on his serve and his forehand. Fritz’s backhand can do damage, but I can’t see him being able to sustain it over the best of five sets.
Prediction – Nadal in 4 sets
Court 1
Elena Rybakina (17) vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Rybakina has been playing some of her best tennis this fortnight and will be looking to make her first-ever slam semi-final. Her game looks suited to the grass; her big serve and crushing groundstrokes have seen her dismantle some top-quality players and she has been hard to break. Tomljanovic has shown some high-level tennis to make back-to-back Wimbledon quarter-finals with a grueling win over Alize Cornet. The Australian’s groundstrokes are very consistent, so she will use this to force Rybakina to work for every point. Tomljanovic also has experience from this stage, losing out to Ash Barty in this round last year. Both players will see this as an opportunity to make their first slam semi-final, but I think Rybakina’s ability to hold serve with her big serve might make the difference.
Prediction – Rybakina in 2 sets
Nick Kyrgios vs Cristian Garin
Eight years on from his last Wimbledon quarter-final appearance, Nick Kyrgios is attempting to reach the final four for the first time. Kyrgios showed fighting spirit to defeat promising youngster Nakashima in five sets to set up a clash with Chilean Garin. Garin has had an equally successful Wimbledon and came from two sets and two match
points down to defeat Alex de Minaur, and wreck hopes of an all-Australian quarter-final. Garin’s flat groundstrokes can do a lot of damage on a grass court, but after playing some grueling matches, is there anything left in the gas tank? It’s hard to predict how Kyrgios will play, but he won his last match not playing his best, so I think the Australian will see this as an opportunity and run with it. His serve is one of the best in the world, and if it’s firing, Garin will not get many chances to break. Kyrgios is going to deliver this time.
Prediction – Kyrgios in 4 sets
