It’s getting closer! Alex Mann is back with Wimbledon 2022 Semi-Final Predictions. We have some exciting matches on our hands!

Wimbledon 2022 Semi-Final Predictions

The last day of the quarter-finals went off with a bang as Nadal, Kyrgios, Rybakina, and Halep progressed to the semi-final stage of Wimbledon, moving one step closer to the title.

Rafael Nadal produced an unbelievable comeback to defeat Taylor Fritz in five sets. Two sets to one up on an injured Nadal, Fritz looked on the verge of making his first major semi-final. Rafa’s fighting spirit and willpower saw him through with a depleted serve, taking the final two sets, 7-5 7-6(4).

We don’t know the full extent of Nadal’s abdominal injury, so we’re hoping he will be ready for his semi-final clash against Nick Kyrgios.

After being broken in his opening service game, Kyrgios stayed composed and fought back to take the opening set off an inspired Cristian Garin. Kyrgios went from strength to strength in the second set and played an unbelievable third set tie-break to reach his first major semi-final in tough 3 sets.

Elena Rybakina came back from an error-stricken start to defeat the two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist, Ajla Tomljanovic, to set up a semi-final with Simona Halep. Rybakina served her way through the second and third sets, overpowering Tomljanovic and finishing the match with 34 winners.

Simona Halep continued her dominant performances this fortnight with a devastating win over Amanda Anisimova, winning 6-2 6-4. Halep playing some of her best tennis, moving exceptionally, returning powerful serves which were being thrown at her, and countering all of the American’s heavy shots.

Can anyone stop Halep or is she poised to win her second title at The All England Club?

Centre Court

Ons Jabeur (3) vs Tatjana Maria

The first of the two women’s semi-finals sees the entertaining Ons Jabeur go up against her long-time friend, Tatjana Maria. Maria’s fairytale run continues as she looks to defeat her fourth-seeded opponent this tournament. She’s beaten seeds Cîrstea, Sakkari and Ostapenko back-to-back, and a grueling win over compatriot Niemeier in the quarter-final to reach the semi-finals of a major for the first time in her career. The 34-year-old will need to play her best if she’s going to beat Jabeur, who’s played some extraordinary tennis this fortnight.

Maria’s forehand slice successfully nullified Ostapenko and Niemeier’s power, which I’m sure she will try to implement against Jabeur. Both games are centered around variety, utilizing slices and drop shots to wrong-foot opponents and breaking their rhythm. Jabeur can do this slightly better. The Tunisian has one of the best slices on tour and will be able to move the German around, putting her in uncomfortable positions. Jabeur possesses a devastating forehand which she can use to create angles to open up the court. The only worry for Maria is that she will look into a mirror. Jabeur has had the game to win a slam but hasn’t been able to put all the pieces together. Now it seems she is ready.

There might be some tension as both players haven’t been in this position, but I expect Jabeur to push through and make her first-ever major final.

Prediction – Jabeur in 2 sets

Simona Halep (16) vs Elena Rybakina (17)

Halep has looked unstoppable throughout this tournament, but she faces her most dangerous opponent this fortnight, Elena Rybakina. Rybakina has served the most aces on the women’s tour this year, which included 15 during her win over Tomljanovic. She will undoubtedly use this to her advantage and look to finish points quickly. Rybakina also possesses a crushing forehand which she has used to blow her opponents off the court. If she can do this consistently, she has a chance to win this match.

Having said this, Halep is the best returner in the world, and this has been fully displayed. Her exceptional movement and ability to change direction make her a formidable opponent for big hitters. Bados and Anisimova possess big ball-striking games, but they were both unable to hit through Halep during the fourth-round and quarter-final. Rybakina has a slightly better serve than Badosa and Anisimova, but this should be a similar matchup for Halep, so it will play right into her hands.

If Halep plays as well as she has done in all her previous matches during this tournament, I don’t think anyone can beat her.

Prediction – Halep in 2 sets