Andrey Rublev and Jannik Sinner are among the contenders in Novak Djokovic’s half of the Wimbledon draw. Rublev and Sinner are in second-round action on Wednesday against Aslan Karatsev and Diego Schwartzman, respectively.
(7) Andrey Rublev vs. Aslan Karatsev
Rublev and Karatsev were banned from Wimbledon last summer, but the two Russians are trying to make the most of their reinstatement in 2023. So far so good for both players. Rublev picked up a 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 victory over Max Purcell, while Karatsev overcame Luca Van Assche 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.
The only previous head-to-head meeting between these two occasional doubles partners came two years ago in Dubai, where Karatsev prevailed 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. However, the world No. 50 hasn’t been able to sustain the success he enjoyed that season; Rublev, on the other hand, has been a staple of the top 10 for three years now. Additionally, Rublev is 32-13 this season and 22-12 lifetime on grass; Karatsev is 12-11 this season and 6-12 lifetime on grass. Although this may not be straight sets since only one loose service game is often enough to see a set slip away, Rublev should roll for the most part.
Pick: Rublev in 4
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(8) Jannik Sinner vs. Diego Schwartzman
Simply advancing to the second round at Wimbledon is a surprisingly good result for Schwartzman, and it’s one he will probably have to be content with because this is almost certainly where his tournament ends. Up next for the 30-year-old Argentine on Wednesday is Sinner, who advanced to the quarterfinals last year and came closer than anyone to beating Djokovic (lost from two sets up). The 21-year-old Italian has since climbed to No. 8 in the world thanks in part to a 33-10 record this season that includes a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 trouncing of Juan Manuel Cerundolo on Monday.
The 2023 campaign has been a much different story for Schwartzman, who is 9-16 at the ATP level and finds himself in danger of leaving the top 100 (currently 98th). Moreover, he is 0-3 lifetime in the head-to-head series against Sinner and has gotten more than two games in a set only once–and never more than four. Schwartzman did well to defeat Miomir Kecmanovic in round one, but Sinner will almost certainly be way too tough.
Pick: Sinner in 3
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WWW?
Schartzman is NOT going to lay down….he can get a set…..and Rublev in 3.
Agree w/ RD
(Anyone miss Nick? Not I.)
Nor I.
Karasev all the way
That’s a great win by Safuillin. Talented player they needs a few lucky breaks to turn his career around.
That’s the problem with a lot of Djokovic’s opponents – they think they have to raise their game to an unsustainable level. They don’t – that just need to play well within their capabilities and build pressure.
Thomson was serving great till the tie break came along and then…one double fault later and it’s kaput. Tis a golden rule of tennis, just don’t.
So Iga has already played twice and Petra hasn’t stepped on court. These,delays and scheduling are very unfair and clearly benefit the top seeded players on the show courts.😠
This is especially the case for those in the stacked bottom half of the draw who are already at a disadvantage.
Sorry! I meant to post this on the WTA thread!
Apologies to all…