Prior to Wimbledon, the best run of Chris Eubanks’ career came in the form of a quarterfinal performance at the 2023 Miami Open.
Daniil Medvedev was the one who halted him in South Beach.
Now Medvedev will once again try to wake Eubanks up from an even more incredible dream–this time at the All-England Club, and again in the quarterfinals.
They will be facing each other for the first time since Miami and for the second time in their careers when they battle for a semifinal spot on Wednesday afternoon. Although Medvedev prevailed on U.S. hard courts back in the spring, it was a hard-fought and high-quality 6-3, 7-5 contest.
Although he admitted to loathe grass before this summer began, Eubanks is arguably most dangerous on this surface thanks to his huge serve and flat, powerful one-handed backhand. Those weapons have helped propel him to new heights, first with a maiden ATP title on the lawn of Mallorca and now with his first four victories in the main draw at Wimbledon. They have come over Thiago Monteiro, Cameron Norrie, Christopher O’Connell, and then Stefanos Tsitsipas in a five-set thriller.
Medvedev was–and still is–no grass-court specialist, himself. The Russian lost right away in ‘s-Hertogenbosch to Adrian Mannarino to begin his grass-court summer and then fell in the Halle quarterfinals to Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets. However, he has turned things around in London with defeats of Arthur Fery, Mannarino, Fucsovics, and Jiri Lehecka. Only Fucsovics managed to take a single set in the first round rounds.
Eubanks brings a bigger game and more confidence to the table than those opponents, and Medvedev is well aware of it.
“He’s a great player,” the world No. 3 assured. “Miami was his first…let’s call it breakthrough in a way. That’s where he went into the top hundred, coming from quallies, made (the) quarters–his best result at the (time). He played great against me. It was a very tough match. I was on fire. I managed to beat him. But it was a tough one.
“Here he’s on fire again. He just won his first ATP title. Here in the quarters beating Stefanos (in) five sets; unbelievable…. I know that I’m playing someone very dangerous in the quarterfinals who is on the rise right now. I hope he’s not going to be on absolute fire. Or if he is, I hope I’m going to be, too.”
It’s difficult to be “on fire” against Medvedev, because he is a master at getting ball after ball back in play and inducing errors from his opponents. Such retrieving isn’t easy to do on grass–but if anyone can do it against Eubanks, it’s Medvedev. The former world No. 1’s experience in the latter stages of Grand Slams should also help see him through what will likely be a fun and competitive matchup of styles.
Pick: Medvedev in 5
WWW?
My heart is with the Ga Tech star….but my head says Med….in 4.
the rambling wreck
from
joeja tekk
I have backed C. Eubanks to win all his matches except against Cameron Norrie I thought he would lose, I had him winning Tsitsipas and he won big I think his odd was 3.30.
My heart is with Christopher Eubanks I like underdogs especially good players like him but I feel his Cinderella run might come to an end I hope not, at least he should reach the finals and lose to Novak Djokovic 😂😂😂 honestly even if he loses today he has achieved a lot and gained lots of respects, fans and admirations.
My head say Medvedev might win and I like Meddy but I’m not rooting for him in this match, I won’t be surprised if meddy wins in 3 sets but I’m hoping Eubanks puts up a fight and wins or at least make it competitive 4/5 sets or 3 tight sets either way let the best player win.
Daniil Medvedev to win is around 1.20 and eubanks to win is between 4.90 and 5.20 depending where you look so tempting 😂😂😂 Medvedev is the better player but so was Norrie and Tsitsipas, I see banks winning at least a set or 2 I’m hoping wins the match and won’t even mind if he defeats Novak in the finals if both make it.
Novak should be able to defeat “Sinner” but boy I don’t think it would be easy this time, last year J. Sinner was up 2 sets to love 2-0 and choked he said in his press conference it won’t happen again 😂.
Take care guy’s and have a beautiful day 👋.
Does anyone notice how when Djokovic is asked his opinion of his opponent, he doesn’t give a simple answer? He gives them with a multitude of things to think about and also states, “he is very young.”
Is that appropriate or necessary?
Is it too difficult to simply say, “He’s a great player who is playing exceptional tennis, and it will be a tough match”?