Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev remain on a collision course for the Wimbledon semifinals in the bottom half of the draw. Next up for them, respectively, during third-round action on Saturday are Cameron Norrie and Alexei Popyrin.
Cameron Norrie vs. (4) Alexander Zverev
From entirely out of nowhere, Norrie is beginning to evoke memories of his run to the Wimbledon semifinals in 2022. The 28-year-old Brit has slumped to 42nd in the rankings, but he opened with a straight-set victory over Facundo Diaz Acosta and then upset Stuttgart champion Jack Draper 7-6(3), 6-4, 7-6(6) on Thursday.
Up next for the left-hander is a third-round meeting with Zverev on Saturday. Therein lies the bad news for Norrie, who trails the head-to-head series 5-0 on the main tour (Norrie previously won Futures and Challenger matches in 2013 and 2014). Zverev beat Norrie four consecutive times in straight sets before surviving 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(10-3) at this year’s Australian Open. The fourth-ranked German comes in with a 39-11 record in 2024 following Wimbledon victories over Roberto Carballes Baena and Marcos Giron–both in easy straight sets. Even though Norrie has suddenly found his game, a red-hot Zverev is likely too tough of a test.
Pick: Zverev in 3
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Alexei Popyrin vs. (2) Novak Djokovic
Djokovic is back from a torn medial meniscus sustained at the French Open and is safely through to round three at the All-England Club. The 37-year-old Serb silenced some questions about his physical state with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 rout of Vit Kopriva, but he struggled in round while getting past recent college standout Jake Fearnley (TCU) 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5.
Popyrin is next in line to get a shot at the 24-time Grand Slam winner. Through two matches the 47th-ranked Australian has played nine total sets while beating Thiago Monteiro and Tomas Martin Etcheverry. He is 0-2 lifetime in this matchup with a 6-4, 6-2 loss at the 2019 Tokyo tournament and a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 setback at the most recent Aussie Open. Popyrin is dangerous, but he is only mediocre on grass and Djokovic will be eager to raise his level following his second-round malaise. The competition level probably won’t get especially difficult for the world No. 2 until a possible fourth-round matchup with Holger Rune.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
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I sure liked what I saw out of Norrie in his win over Draper….I think he can do it again…in 4….and Joker in 3.