Federer v Dimitrov, Raonic v Zverev; Azarenka v Halep; Wimbledon Monday Picks And Pans
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The so-called “Best Day in Tennis” takes place Monday at Wimbledon. While the schedule is loaded with all 32 players left in the men’s and women’s draws, it can be the most “Annoying Day in Tennis” because you can’t possibly watch everything!
And there’s a lot to see. And instead of just men, I’ll just run through all 16!
CENTER COURT (1pm)
Ana Konjuh (CRO) [27] v Venus Williams (USA) [10]: Venus is the only former champion left in the field and after Monday there could be none because this Croation kid is pretty good. Konjuh, 19, should have beaten Radwanska a year ago and she’ll be awfully tough against Venus. But experience prevails for the 5-time champ.
Andy Murray (GBR) [1] v Benoit Paire (FRA): Paire’s got a flashy game with a big backhand, nice serve, some fancy tricky shots, but that’s not enough to beat Murray.
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [13] v Roger Federer (SUI) [3]: Roger leads 5-0 over Baby Roger. Dimitrov, though, has been almost untouchable but when he plays the big guys he usually folds up. For that reason and that reason only I’ll take Federer, but an upset wouldn’t surprise me.
NO.1 COURT (11:30am)
Johanna Konta (GBR) [6] v Caroline Garcia (FRA) [21]: Garcia played well in Paris and has continued her form this week. But the girl who Murray once tabbed to be No. 1 falls to Konta.
Rafael Nadal (ESP) [4] v Gilles Muller (LUX) [16]: Tough match for Rafa but I think he gets through in four sets. Muller is in form and his serve gets hot then watch out.
Adrian Mannarino (FRA) v Novak Djokovic (SRB) [2]: Shouldn’t be an issue for Novak here.
NO.2 COURT (11:30am)
Angelique Kerber (GER) [1] v Garbine Muguruza (ESP) [14]: In the battle of the last two finalists, I like the Spaniard. Kerber’s been hanging on – granted, she won! But Muguruza’s sharpened things up this week and looks ready to make another deep run.
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) v Simona Halep (ROU) [2]: The best match of the day in the women’s draw (why is this on court 2?), I’m leaning Azarenka only because she’ll have less pressure than Halep who’s probably still got the bitter taste of the French still in her mouth.
Milos Raonic (CAN) [6] v Alexander Zverev (GER) [10]: Zverev got Milos on the clay a few months ago and while Raonic is much better on grass, I still like the German who’s more in form here.
NO.3 COURT (11:30AM)
Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [9] v Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) [7]: Kuznetsova leads this series 13-4 and she’s been the better player this week. Radwanska, though, can always surprise and she’s playing with house money after saving matchpoints against Christina Mchale.
Coco Vandeweghe (USA) [24] v Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) [5]: If the good Coco shows up she’ll overpower Wozniacki. If the bad one does then Wozniacki wins.
Dominic Thiem (AUT) [8] v Tomas Berdych (CZE) [11]: I just don’t like Thiem’s loopy strokes on grass. Then again, I just don’t like Berdych. But the Czech gets the check mark here.
COURT 12 (11:30AM)
Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) [13] v Elina Svitolina (UKR) [4]: Go with the momentum and that’s Ostapenko. She also won the Wimbledon juniors.
Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) [18] v Marin Cilic (CRO) [7]: Cilic is my pick to make the final. I’m sticking with him.
COURT 18 (11:30AM)
Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) v Petra Martic (CRO): Martic is a former Top 45 player, coming back from injury. Rybarikova is also returning from injury. I think Martic is the better, strong player.
Sam Querrey (USA) [24] v Kevin Anderson (RSA): A slight edge to Anderson in what could be a very loooong match.
So that’s Monday. Probably the best matches are on Court 2. Also the Federer-Dimitrov could be a cracker. And like I said, maybe Muller has a hot serving day. Otherwise, the women’s match are actually more intresting.
ESPN will have live coverage from 7am ET.
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