Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will be part of the year’s greatest day in tennis–the second Monday at Wimbledon. The multiple Wimbledon winners are heavy favorites against unseeded opponents Jiri Vesely and Karen Khachanov.
Jiri Vesely vs. (2) Rafael Nadal
Nadal reaching the second week at Wimbledon is never a foregone conclusion. The world No. 1 was 7-for-12 in such efforts and 2-for-5 in his last five appearances heading into this fortnight. But an early exit hasn’t been–and may not be–in the cards this time around, as Nadal is just as good if not even better with age at 32 years old. Coming off his 11th French Open title, the Spaniard has improved to 33-2 for the season following straight-set victories at the All-England Club over Dudi Sela, Mikhail Kukushkin, and Alex De Minaur.
Up next for Nadal on Monday is a second career contest against Vesely, who lost their only previous meeting 6-4, 7-6(2) on the red clay of Hamburg in 2015. Grass obviously gives the 6’6” Czech a much better chance, mainly because of the man on the other side of the net but also due to his own prowess on the green stuff. Vesely is now 10-4 lifetime in main-draw action at Wimbledon and this is his second trip to the second Monday. The world No. 93 earned his spot in the last 16 by defeating Florian Mayer, Diego Schwartzman, and Fabio Fognini, surrendering sets to Mayer and Fognini in the process. Vesely’s lefty serve and backhand slice are effective on grass, but despite his frame he is not the kind of player who is going to blast Nadal off the court and take the racket out of his opponent’s hands.
Pick: Nadal in 3 losing 11-14 games
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Karen Khachanov vs. (12) Novak Djokovic
Djokovic’s comeback has been a roller-coaster ride in 2018, but he has been able to get up for the Grand Slams. The 21st-ranked Serb has now won at least three matches at all three of the majors; he has accomplished that feat in just two of his other seven appearances. Of course, Djokovic has been good just about everywhere of late–with a 15-3 record in his last 18 matches and trips to the Rome semifinals, the French Open quarters, and the Queen’s Club final during this stretch. The 12-time slam champion punched his ticket the last 16 by disposing of Tennys Sandgren, Horacio Zeballos, and Kyle Edmund, donating only one set to Edmund along the way.
The second Monday will see Djokovic go head-to-head with Khachanov for the first time in their careers. Khachanov’s place in round four was earned in far more difficult fashion, as he held off David Ferrer in four sets before beating both Marcos Baghdatis and Frances Tiafoe in five. The 40th-ranked Russian trailed Tiafoe by two sets to love on Saturday before storming back for a 4-6, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-2, 6-1 victory. Khachanov is now 8-2 in his last 10 matches with a fourth-round performance at Roland Garros and a quarterfinal showing on the grass courts of Halle. Some bad news for the 22-year-old, however, is that he has never advanced past this stage of a major and he is 0-7 lifetime against former Grand Slam winners.
Pick: Djokovic in 4
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Rafa and roger both have lost equal number of games and I suppose only two players to not drop a set this wimby. Rafa can make this wimbledon a paradise for us rafans this year.
The big three – they’re very good today, their match stats are good too, well done!