Only one unseeded man–Marton Fucsovics–is through to the Wimbledon quarterfinals, and his reward is a matchup with none other than Novak Djokovic on Wednesday. Matteo Berrettini and Felix Auger-Aliassime are also in action.
(7) Matteo Berrettini vs. (16) Felix Auger-Aliassime
Berrettini and Auger-Aliassime will have to set aside their friendship when they battle for a spot in the Wimbledon semifinals on Wednesday afternoon. They are frequent companions on tour because Berrettini is dating Ajla Tomljanovic and Auger-Aliassime is dating Tomljanovic’s cousin. Auger-Aliassime would probably be wise not to make any side bets involving the next dinner out in London when it comes to Wednesday’s showdown. After all, Berrettini has been in outstanding form this season and has only heated up on grass. Arguably looking like Novak Djokovic’s biggest threat to the title, the ninth-ranked Italian won Queen’s Club and so far at Wimbledon has powered past Guido Pella, Botic Van de Zandschulp, Aljaz Bedene, and Ilya Ivashka. Berrettini has won 11 consecutive sets and 10 have been no closer than 6-4.
This is the best result of Auger-Aliassime’s career. The 20-year-old Canadian is in a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the first time following victories over Thiago Monteiro, Mikael Ymer, Nick Kyrgios (via third-set retirement), and Alexander Zverev (in five sets). Auger-Aliassime is now 10-2 on grass this summer, so he certainly can’t be discounted. However, Berrettini–who leads the head-to-head series 1-0 (and the previous meeting came on grass)–is at a different level right now. The seventh seed has been broken a grand total of two times through four rounds.
Pick: Berrettini in 4
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Marton Fucsovics
Djokovic and Fucsovics will be squaring off for the third time in their careers on Wednesday. Even though Djokovic has won both of their previous encounters, Fucsovics will be encouraged by his efforts. The Hungarian snagged a set on both occasions, losing 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 at the 2018 U.S. Open (first round) prior to a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 setback two years ago in Doha.
Needless to say, it will be an even tougher test on the quarterfinal stage with Djokovic having already won the first two slams in 2021. The world No. 1 has won 12 sets in a row since dropping his first of the fortnight to Jack Draper. Fucsovics, on the other hand, has needed at least four sets in three of his matches–including five against Andrey Rublev on Monday. The world No. 48’s first-ever major quarterfinal appearance probably isn’t going to last long.
Pick: Djokovic in 3 losing 11-14 games
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I assume Fed if he wins, will benefit from a long match between Berettini vs FAA. I hope for a long 4 or 5 setter. This way, he has a real chance to play the final. Also, if Shapo stays strong, he should really become a strong obstacle for Novak.
I hope Fed somehow manages to qualify in the final and finds his best possible game right there. He deserves it. But now, focus must be on Hurcacz.
AA vs Berretini will be fun to watch….Btini in 4; Joker in 3.
Berrettini in four and Djoker in three