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
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.