2024 Wimbledon Day 9: QFs Begin With Sinner v Medvedev, Alcaraz v Paul, Paolini v Navarro

There are just 16 players left in the hunt for two 2024 Wimbledon titles.

The men’s draw has largely gone to form with the Top 3 seeds and overall eight seeded players advancing. In today’s first day of quarterfinal play, two heavyweight matches take place.

Jannik Sinner takes on Daniil Medvedev in a rematch of their historic Australian Open final. Medvedev throughly dominated this series early winning their first six but the Italian has won the last five and figures to be the big favorite today. Both made the semifinals before so they have history at Wimbledon.

“He plays better,” Medvedev assessed of Sinner’s reversal. “He misses less. When Jannik came on tour, straightaway everyone was a little bit, not shocked but like how strong he hits, how he can run fast and hit strong from every position of the court. But he was missing a lot and hence, losing a lot some matches.

“As soon as he stopped missing less, well, now it’s very tough to beat him for anyone. Not only for me. That’s why he’s No. 1 in the world. I do think, if I’m not mistaken, by statistics I usually play better against No. 1s in the world than maybe some other guys. Let’s see if it helps me against Jannik.

“But, again, yeah, he misses less, serves much better. His serve was not as good before. Small details makes big difference in tennis. It’s definitely tougher to play him now than before. Again, as I said, the matches were close. I had my chances. I’ll try to use them better this time.”

Carlos Alcaraz looks to continue his title defense against the hot-handed American Tommy Paul. Paul has registered two wins over the Spaniard but both in Canada. Alcaraz won the other two with this being their first meeting at a Slam and first meeting off hard court. Paul, who just won Queen’s, has won his last nine while Alcaraz has won his last 11 in Slams and last 11 at Wimbledon.

“The serve is always the most important shot in men’s tennis,” Paul said. “That will be something that I’ll want to do very well in my next round. But the return’s also a very important shot.

“Serve and return are big for me. We both play a pretty aggressive style of tennis. He’s been playing pretty well and ultra aggressive. I mean, it’s fun for people to watch. Honestly, it’s fun to play against. I’m really excited for the matchup.’

In the women’s field, once again there will be some new faces in the Wimbledon semifinals.

Lulu Sun, who faced a match point in qualifying, will try to become just the second qualifier to make the Wimbledon semifinal since Alexandra Stevenson 25 years ago in 1999. Sun will meet Donna Vekic who just made a grass final is trying to reach her first Slam semifinals

“I don’t think it’s surprising,” Sun said of her run. “At the same time I wasn’t thinking, Oh, I’m going to be in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon. I honestly was just like, Okay, first match. I got through it. I was like, Okay, next match. After I passed quallies, I was super delighted because the last quallies I played at Wimbledon, I lost in the final round of quallies in three sets. I was super disappointed.

“When you’re so close to qualifying, it kind of hurts your heart. So just getting to the main draw was a big step already. “Playing all these players up until now, it’s just opportunity, a new opportunity each time. Yeah, I’m super grateful to be able to play another match here.”

And Jasmine Paolini takes on Emma Navarro in a surprise quarterfinal. Both players were completely off the radar to start the year but has risen to prominence this year. Paolini has now made the fourth round at all three Slams while Navarro is into her very first Slam quarterfinal.

“I think that mindset has definitely helped me just not to look at a day like today as any different than any other match,” Navarro said. “I think just being able to look at individual matches for what they are and not make them anything greater than that.

“I think also I’m believing that this is possible as it’s happening. I’m starting to think, Why not me? Why not? Why can’t I make a quarterfinal run? Why can’t I go deep in Grand Slams?”

TUESDAY WIMBLEDON SCHEDULE
CENTRE COURT – 1:30PM
Jannik Sinner (ITA) [1] v Daniil Medvedev [5]
Jasmine Paolini (ITA) [7] v Emma Navarro (USA) [19]

NO.1 COURT – 1:00PM
Lulu Sun (NZL) v Donna Vekic (CRO)
Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) [3] v Tommy Paul (USA) [12]

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