Wimbledon R4 preview and prediction: Rublev vs. Bublik

In a rematch of the Halle final just a couple weeks ago, Russian Andrey Rublev will take on Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan for a spot in the Wimbledon quarterfinals.

To say that Alexander Bublik has come out of nowhere the past few weeks to take the grass-court season by storm would be an understatement. Consider this: Bublik won the event in Halle two weeks ago. That victory featured five straight match wins, each over top 25 opponents (including Andrey Rublev in the final). Despite that, the top player from Kazakhstan was still 13-19 on the season coming into Wimbledon.

Through the first week of the Championships, Bublik has added another three wins to 2023 match record, posting victories over Americans Mackenzie McDonald and JJ Wolf and a third-round defeat of German Maximilian Marterer. He has dropped one set so far.

Rublev also has a single title this season, his first ever Masters crown won in impressive fashion in Monte-Carlo at the start of the clay-court season. He similarly played well in Halle, although he failed to take advantage of Bublik’s nerves in the final. The world No. 26 tossed in a trio of double-faults before eventually closing out the win for the title.

Bublik and Rublev have played four times; Rublev won the first three and Bublik the most recent. Each of their matches has been competitive, so their Sunday round of 16 encounter has all the makings of a real battle. The fact that they aren’t contesting a final this time will likely mean a higher quality match, as both players have a tendency to battle nerves with trophies on the line.

Sunday’s match pits two of the most in-form grass court players of the season. Expect it to go to the wire with Rublev getting his revenge from their last encounter.

Cheryl pick : Rublev in 5

Ricky pick: Rublev in 5