If Novak Djokovic gets stopped prior to winning another Wimbledon title, it probably won’t be on Sunday–when he faces an unseeded opponent in Tim van Rijthoven. Meanwhile, a blockbuster matchup pits Carlos Alcaraz against Jannik Sinner.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (WC) Tim van Rijthoven
A month ago, Van Rijthoven was a borderline no-name in the world of tennis. Suddenly he is an ATP title winner, the recipient of a Wimbledon wild card despite not even being from Great Britain, and even a second-week participant at the All-England Club. In part because of injuries, it has taken Van Rijthoven until 25 years old to announce himself on tour. That is exactly what he did a few weeks ago in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, where he lifted the trophy after beating the likes of Taylor Fritz, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Daniil Medvedev. The 104th-ranked Dutchman is on an eight-match winning streak (he is 8-0 on the ATP Tour in 2022) following Wimbledon victories over Federico Delbonis, Reilly Opelka, and Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Of course, things are about to get a lot tougher than they were in either ‘s-Hertogenbosch or in week one of Wimbledon. Up next for Van Rijthoven in the fourth round on Sunday is none other than Djokovic, who is the three-time defending champion. Djokovic needed four sets to get past Soonwoo Kwon in his opening match, but after that he destroyed both Thanasi Kokkinakis and Miomir Kecmanovic. The third-ranked Serb is looking like a man on a mission, so he should have little trouble with Van Rijthoven on this stage.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
(10) Jannik Sinner vs. (5) Carlos Alcaraz
The marquee matchup of the entire fourth round features Alcaraz and Sinner. This marks their third encounter, with Alcaraz leading the head-to-head series 2-0. He prevailed 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in a 2019 clay-court Challenger event in Spain and 7-6(2), 7-5 last fall on the indoor hard courts of Paris.
Alcaraz had played only two grass-court matches in his career prior to this fortnight, so it’s no surprise that he struggled through five sets in his opener against Jan-Lennard Struff. Since then, however, the seventh-ranked Spaniard has looked like the player who took the ATP Tour by absolute storm from February through May. He beat Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets and then destroyed Oscar Otte 6-3, 6-1, 6-2. Sinner is in strong form, as well, having ousted Stan Wawrinka (four sets), Mikael Ymer (four), and John Isner (three). The 13th-ranked Italian is quite inexperienced on grass, too, so it’s not like he has any kind of surface advantage. Alcaraz is the better all-court player right and his three performances at the All-England Club are clear indicators that he is getting better and better with each match.
Pick: Alcaraz in 5
Joker in 3….Alcaraz in a very tough 5….but how can anything top Saturday’s fireworks?!!!
Hey Ricky, what gives? I’m hearing that this Van Rijthoven is poised to give Novak all sorts of troubles!!!
Anyway, just looking for some great matches today sans the drama but I’m not holding my breathe. Tennis is supposed to be a gentleman’s sport but the gentleman part is eroding!
It was so nice to c the parade of champions on centre courts today! It was so great to c Roger Federer!!!!!!! Hope his health improves and we can c him one more time!! Novak spoke quite well, which is no surprise!
Quite a few Champions were absent ie Sampras, Serena, Sharapova etc. But I really can’t help but say again how well Roger looks!!
I really do wish though that Rafa can win one more! 😃🙏🏽
Hey Sinner takes first blood!! He is really returning well against Alcaraz!! He is giving a good account of himself thus far, let’s c how well he holds up, lol!
Alcaraz is playing total crap ..just leaking ue .i just turned the tv off .djoko will sweep sinner off ..we need alcaraz in qf
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 @ Sanju!!!
But if Alcaraz is playing like this against Sinner how do u think he’ll fair against Novak?!
Me? Just hope all matches today go to five
Is it me or Sinner”s return game is off the charts? And against Alcaraz of all individuals!!! 🤣
This is going to be a tough match no matter what the score!!
If Alcaraz can’t beat Sinner, then for sure he can’t beat Novak!
I mean the match is by no means a fait a complit but what I’m saying is if that’s how things r looking for Alcaraz against Sinner what do I think will happen if he meets Novak?! I shudder to think!!
Sinner really came out to play! So tell me, what is Sinner’s success against Alcaraz at this point? Apart from the obvious serve and return.
Sinner is playing like Zverev at the FO against Alcaraz, ie he’s beating Alcaraz at his own game, with more firepower.
Djoko doesn’t play like them, at least to me he doesn’t have their fire power, so against Djoko it’ll be longer baseline rallying imo.
Alcaraz has shown here, again, that his game is one dimensional, in that he doesn’t know how to change tactics or overall game plan if things don’t go well for him.
Sinner is totally out playing Alcaraz.
He returned very well against Isner and his return is excellent again today.
He is making Alcaraz look gauche.
Precisely! That’s my same sentiments Lucky in terms of change of tactics mid match! I’ve noticed that sometimes Carlos takes a little while to figure out his opponents in best of 5, but this time of Sinner continues to play his great tennis Carlos does not have a prayer, though I suspect he’s playing better.
Meanwhile Tiafoe is holding his own against Goffin!
What’s going on with Sinner and Alcaraz??? I was surprised how easily Sinner disarmed Isner. Now he continues with the guy who has been called a multiple slam winner before he even reached the final of one slam 😉
I am just scoreboarding. Is Sinner so brillant or is Alcaraz so terrible?
But the idea that Alcaraz would give Novak at least a decent fight was probably wishful thinking anyway. I cannot see anyone left in the top half who will stop Novak from reaching another Wimby final…
Some surprises on the women’s side as well: two lowly ranked Germans reached the quarterfinals, which means that either the youngest or the oldest German player will play for a slot in the final 🙂 It’s always nice when German tennis players generate positive news, which wasn’t often the case recently. Today at the centennial ceremony, when so many brilliant former champions were presented (where was Sampras???), I couldn’t help noticing how badly things have gone wrong lately for a certain former player who reached the final seven times and won three titles: Boris Becker! He called the Wimby Center Court his living room. Well, his current living room is considerably smaller…
Sinner has been very good.
Alcaraz has been exposed as he was at RG against ARV(ARV should really have won that match) and Zverev.
Based on this performance Alcaraz would have no chance against Novak.
It’s true that his game looks one dimensional.
Imo, Alcaraz’s game is good against counterpunchers, like Rafa and Djoko, but not against someone with bigger firepower than himself (like Zverev and Sinner); and I’m guessing not good against someone like Fed, who takes time away from him with consistent net rushing attacks.
Of course that doesn’t mean that Rafa or Djoko can’t beat him; it’s just that they may take a longer time in their matches, to beat him. And, I think Murray of the past would also beat him, with Murray’s ability in varying his pace and absorbing the firepower coming from Alcaraz (just like the way Murray handled Del Potro’s firepower so well in the past).
Just my opinions.
Sampras has never been one for pomp and ceremony, does not surprise me he didn’t show!
On the other hand, if Sinner’s not careful Alcaraz can take this to five!
Bummed Tiafoe lost but he did give a good showing, might was super tight! Longest match of the tourney so far!
Lucky,
I think you make an interesting point. I think that players are now ankle go exploit his weaknesses. Maybe initially they were caught gif guard but they seem to be getting the measure of him.
Zverev showed how it’s done. Some here thought it was Alcaraz off his game and making too many errors. But I thought it was Zverev with the big serving and the powerful ground strokes who forced many of these errors.
It may have taken Novak longer to beat him, but especially on grass I think he would beat Alcaraz. Nivsk is too good on the grass.
I’m just so angry that we won’t get a alcaraz djoko qf. Djoko will squat sinner like a fly
I just don’t think it would make a difference. Novak is way too confident and skilled on grass. Alcaraz would not stand a chance against him.
He won’t n djoko will beat him yes but alzaraz turns up for big matches and djoko will be a bit under pressure as he needs 21.
Now rafw has bvz, fritz, kyrgios..his path is way tougher now
Yes Sanju! Now I get ure point! I r onto something there! Now I c things clearer now 😃
But don’t u think Novak”s opponent will give him troubles today?
Able to exploit his weaknesses*
This same sinner who is playing great today will meekly surrender in front of djokovic like he has always today. Against rafa he can’t win but he pushes him hard.
Lol, Sanju, the match is not over yet though! But I don’t understand y I think Alcaraz would fair better against Novak! And Sinner is playing very good tennis so he may not necessarily be easily swatted by Novak if they meet.
Both of these players would challenge NoVax.
But this match isn’t over. Sinner and Alcaraz are going the distance, I think.
Alcaraz is my bracket pick, and he is playing the TB better than Sinner.
Goffin Wins. Wee Wizard is back!
Sinner v Alcaraz is a nailbiter.
Sinner’s serve has improved since I last watched him.
Either way this may go to 5 now and then Novak will just get a tired opponent while he’ll be fresh!
Geezus, that was such great tennis. Sinner v Alcaraz might turn into something special. Both of them have positive emotional minds. It’s not like watching NK vs Tsitsipas.
Sinner’s first serve went AWOL that tb.
He is going to be thinking about that return he missed on match point when he ran round his bh. It was completely makeable.
Ok, this started to get interesting…
Alcaraz managed to get over a couple of matchpoints – respect!
Yes, nothing is str8t forward with Alcaraz! Sinner definitely could have put him away but just a few brain freeze points! But Sinner is still going for his shots!!
Alcaraz reminds me of a young Rafa. Pardon me, I don’t comment on Rafa, as a rule.
If wee wizard Goffin were 6’3, the same height as Andy Murray, he would be fighting for the #1 spot.
Ricky picked Alcaraz in 5. It’s still possible 😉
Alcaraz is my bracket pick. Nice to see you, littlefoot.
Hi, Elisabeth, nice to see you, too 🙂
Hope, you are well!
Jabeur is making a bit of a mess of things squandering being up a break😠
With Petra and Iga out I would like Ons to win..But she gets too nervy at times..
Ons steals the tb!😀
Some fabulous tennis….
Come on Ons…!
Way to go Jabeur!
She is playing some brilliant stuff now nny. I love the variety in her game..
Now she breaks..
amy,
Yes I enjoy her game. Love it!
There is a slew of potential winners, and Ons is one of them! Halep is still fighting.
I really like Simona. But Ons winning her first ever slam here would be amazing…
True, there is that.
But I can’t cheer against Simona; it would be like you cheering for Rafa’s opponent.
I understand that! I must say I did not enjoy yesterday with Petra and Iga losing…😪😪
The worst thing was Martina explaining again how Petra can’t feel her racquet because of the injuries she sustained. Just gut wrenching…
I did not know that, amy. God, I’m surprised she can play if Martina is right. Now I will feel all the sicker when I see her. I know I should not get emotional, but I do – I mean, I want to see her but knowing she can’t feel her racket, that’s unbelievable.
I left a message for Iga on Twitter. She had posted to her fans, hoping we would still be fans. What she accomplished last spring makes her impossible to be forgotten. 😘
Jannik Sinner is getting close to winning the match. But like Rafa, Carlitos refuses to quit, no matter the score.
I was also cheering for Iga but at least Badosa is still left to cheer for. I actually like a number of the remaining ladies in the form of Halep and Anisimova. It’s good when u don’t actually know who is going to win. Halep has won before so I expect her to be very motivated!
Sinner is going to have to keep his nerve if he wants to close this out.
Sinner, Sinner, chicken dinner is the winner.
Oh, well, we have to concede that Alcaraz tried.
And I struggle with Autocorrect, which constantly turns Alcaraz into Alcatraz 😉
That’s BG ‘s nickname for him! Escape from Alcatraz.
He is famous for his cheesy nicknames..
Amy, 😉
Well, Sinner did escape!
I missed the end of the match because I was watching Ons.
I am really happy for Jannik. He is a really nice guy utterly without vanity unlike many of the male players.
He is working with Cahill now and Cahill is a great coach.
Cahill is a tennis whisperer in Simona’s case. How long has he been coaching Jannik?
Only very recently. I only found out a week or so ago because BG was tweeting about it.
Cahill has amazing abilities as a coach…
Whole Novak fanclub is erupting in joy now with Carlos exit..abs no resistance now till final and no long 5 setter either..
Well I can’t blame them Sanju! If it were Rafans we would be finally happy too, after all we want what’s best for our player. However, I don’t want to say I told you so…………tennis is a strange affair!
Carlos” problem is that he is very talented but at the same time he needs more variety in his game. He needs a plan B asap, power hitting and drop shots will NOT always do it! He still has a lot to learn! Sinner played VERY well, he obviously had a strategy and executed it perfectly so good for him.
Right now with that result Novak will be extremely motivated to win here, I can’t see anyone stopping him from reaching the final. However, I will reiterate, tennis is a strange affair!
Good win by Sinner. This win will at least stop the commentators’ hyping up of Alcaraz for the time being.
Sinner is 21 this year, so he may be the main rival of Alcaraz in the future at the slams. Sinner seems to be plagued with injuries lately so I’ve almost forgotten about him, or about how good he is as a youngster.
I hope he will at least put up a good fight in the QF.
I had forgotten how good Sinner can be with all the injuries and withdrawals. He played extremely well and kept his focus in the fourth set.
I hope the hype really dies down now with Alcaraz. He has more work to do. His lack of experience on the grass showed. Alcaraz does not seem to be able to adjust in matches. He needs to be able to do that because the other players are figuring him out and realizing ways to beat him.
This same sentiment about Alcaraz is being expressed all over the web, lol!!! Ppl r like fed up of all the hype, which is unfortunate and unfair bcoz I can’t help but feel it’s perhaps cutting into Alcaraz”s tennis and appeal! It’s like he’s almost being punished for being this good and passionate about the game.
Ons wins! That was very good tennis..
Yes! Good for Ons! I really like her!
Like Ons too. Very special.
That’s some power heating by Rijthoven but Novak is holding his own! I’m tired just watching it!!
However, Rijthoven is lacking finesse in his game I find or less he would have broken already! Just too much power man!
I thought some people said this guy could give Novak a real match.
He is so one dimensional..
Agree,
@ Amy 🤣🤣🤣🤣😃😃😃
Maybe somewhere in the second set or third!
Look at how Novak stared this guy down, lol!!
It’s like, so u broke me?!! Ok, I’ll show yuh!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I really hate those big hitters but let’s c if he could consolidate
Ok, Djoko actually lost a set. I guess that qualifies as making it a “real match” 😉
And we should not go from hyping to bashing “Alcatraz”. Remember how long it took Fed before he finally started to get results which were in synch with his obvious talents. Rafa was an anomaly. If anything, he always exceeded expectations. But he also needed some time before he felt comfortable on grass.
I think it is a good sign that Alcaraz did not give up. Just look at all these matchpoints which he annihilated. He could have easily lost in three. But after three of for slams we can say that he is a work in progress as far as the majors are concerned.
And Sanju, I really don’t think that the Novak fans are celebrating. Why should they? It might have been an interesting match up, but Novak would have beaten Alcaraz – just as he will probably beat Sinner. Maybe, the Great Goffin has a chance, though 😉
Goffin has no chance! He needed four hours plus to beat Tiafoe, and he has to get past Norrie first before facing Djoko. By then it’ll be straight sets loss to Djoko in the SF .
Djoko was hardly being pushed by anyone, certainly not this Rijthoven even though Rijthoven was serving big in the match. Djoko imo wasn’t even playing at a high level in the R4 match(and he didnt even need to). Had Djoko raised his level, he would send Rijthoven packing much earlier.
Sinner may push Djoko a bit more but Djoko will beat him, and Djoko will then beat whoever in the SF to reach the final.
I hope you are right, Luckystar.
Lucky, I was joking when I said that Goffin would be the one who could finally challenge Djokovic 😉
You know, the players outside the big 3, when they play each other they feel invincible! But when they meet the top 3 its like a real battle, by the second set they fell done! The level and quality of tennis they have to reach when they play the big 3 must really stretch them to their ultimate limits! I mean I could see it all over Rijthoven’s face, lol!!! Playing the big 3 is just a completely different type of tennis! Sonego too felt it last night and to think that Rafa is not even at his best!
why can’t I post, Ricky?
I have a comment saved for littlefoot.
Elisabeth, thanks, even if I cannot read your comment.
I have also had difficulties with access and posting.
Time to do something productive 🙁
Sinner looking like could be my favourite player for the future. I like his game and attitude, and now proving he can play on grass
Could hardly believe how much he’d improved. Mind you Carlito let him off the hook beginning of set 4, when he was looking very fragile.