The Wimbledon crowd will be hoping for another memorable Andy Murray performance when he takes the court against Denis Shapovalov on Friday. Andrey Rublev and Fabio Fognini are also aiming for a place in the second week.
(10) Denis Shapovalov vs. (WC) Andy Murray
Another Wimbledon, another summer of Murray mania…. Not even a three-year absence from the tournament has halted what was once a tradition at the All-England Club: Murray making a run through the championships and doing so in dramatic fashion. The 34-year-old Scot kicked off this fortnight with a 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 defeat of Nikoloz Basilashvili in which Murray blew a 5-0 lead in the third set. He then outlasted Oscar Otte 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Wednesday night.
Up next for the world No. 118 is a first-ever meeting with Shapovalov on Friday. If Murray is 100 percent, this is a winnable match. Shapovalov has been mediocre at best this season and he needed five sets to beat Philipp Kohlschreiber on Tuesday before getting a walkover from Pablo Andujar. Being able to hold up physically in a five-setter was encouraging for Murray, but it remains to be seen how he will recover. Shapovalov has the benefit of being well-rested thanks to Andujar’s withdrawal, so the Canadian would likely have the edge in another long match.
Pick: Shapovalov in 5
(26) Fabio Fognini vs. (5) Andrey Rublev
Rublev and Fognini have quietly put together an extensive head-to-head history heading into Friday. They have faced each other seven times, but only one meeting has come since the end of 2019 and they have never squared off at a Grand Slam. Fognini has won five of their seven previous encounters, but since Rublev became the real Rublev they have clashed just once and the Russian rolled 6-1, 6-2 in the final of this year’s ATP Cup.
There is no reason to think the tide will turn back in Fognini’s favor. Although the 34-year-old Italian is an all-court player, he has never been at his best on grass. He has done well to defeat Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Laslo Djere this week, but against Rublev he can’t get away with a 6-0 walkabout in a set like he did against Djere. Since dropping his opening set to Federico Delbonis, Rublev has been dominant. The world No. 7 followed up that 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 victory by beating Lloyd Harris 6-1, 6-2, 7-5. Especially on this surface, Rublev will have too much firepower for Fognini.
Pick: Rublev in 3
WWW?
Andy Murray FTW. Just take one step at a time and beat the guy across the net, whoever it is. Go, Andy!
Rublev is my pick. But I have not had a chance to watch either one of these favorites play on grass. After checking their grass games out on youtube It’s a tough pick. Their gifts are very different. Rublev is playing well. He’s been working on volleying, and he’s coming along. I’ll stay with my bracket pick in 4.
I will be rooting for Andy. Ricky out it all out there with the pros and cons. Shapo has not been in great form but got the walkover. The key is how Andy will be after a five set match.
Shapo is not Otte. It’s it going to get easier. But Andy will have the crowd behind him all the way.
It’s NOT going to get easier!
Was very tired yesterday; could barely keep my eyes open.
Let’s see how it goes today.
Djokovic in 3
Evans in 4 (Evans to win*)
Rublev in 3*
Murray in 4 (Murray to win*)
Khachanov in 4 (Khachanov to win*)
Bautista Agut in 3*
Schwartzman in 3
Martinez in 5
* denotes a special
Schwartzman and Djokovic should both win in 3.
Martinez to win is huge value
Rublev in 3 is charity money.
Murray @ 4/1 is ridiculous
Lots of value.
Murray mania has beef fun this week….but Dhapo in 3;….and Rublev in 3.
The results are all over the place because they have played enough grass tennis. There’s not enough data.