By Tony Fairbairn At Wimbledon
- Carlos Alcaraz [1] v Matteo Berrettini
- Ons Jabeur [6] v Petra Kvitova [9]
- Holger Rune [6] v Grigor Dimitrov [21]
LONDON, ENGLAND – Carlos Alcaraz’s Wimbledon title credentials are put through the ultimate test against former finalist Matteo Berrettini on day eight of the third Grand Slam of the season.
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Carlos Alcaraz [1] v Matteo Berrettini H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Carlos Alcaraz [1] v Matteo Berrettini | H2H: Alcaraz leads 2-1 |
| Wimbledon 2023 | London, England |
| Grass (O) | Prize Money: £207,000 |
| Third on Centre Court (16:30 BST) | BBC Sport |
Carlos Alcaraz was put through a severe test against Nicolas Jarry with the Spaniard prevailing in a four set thriller. The world number one has been known for winning with ease against his opponents but arguably it’s more important for the Spaniard to win matches like the one against Jarry to prove that he is capable of producing his best tennis in the biggest moments on grass. The Queen’s Club champion is feeling confident and there is no doubting that the confidence levels will only improve in the second week if he can sustain his high level of tennis.
Next for Alcaraz is former finalist and a rejuvenated Matteo Berrettini who is playing some stunning tennis at the moment. The Italian entered Wimbledon without form or confidence as he has been working his way back from injuries and some poor performances. However fast forward a week and Berrettini is feeling his game again after demolishing Alexander Zverev to reach the second week at Wimbledon. There is no reason that if Berrettini sustains his high level of play that he can repeat a similar run to the final that he produced in 2021.
Alcaraz will look to use a variety of different paces, spins and tactics as the Spaniard looks to confuse Berrettini into submission, therefore forcing errors from the Italian’s game. Meanwhile Berrettini will look to continue his high first serve percentage and use his forehand to accelerate the pace of the rallies. This will be a big-hitting match between two confident players who knows what it takes to win big matches on the biggest stages. It should be another Centre Court thriller with the slight edge going to Alcaraz as fine margins will decide the winner of this match.
Prediction: Alcaraz in five sets.
Ons Jabeur [6] v Petra Kvitova [9] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Ons Jabeur [6] v Petra Kvitova [9] | H2H: Kvitova leads 4-1 |
| Wimbledon 2023 | London, England |
| Grass (O) | Prize Money: £207,000 |
| Second on Centre Court (15:00 BST) | BBC Sport |
Last year’s finalist Ons Jabeur had to survive a fierce challenge from former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu to reach the second week at Wimbledon. The Tunisian hasn’t had the most consistent start to a Grand Slam but what she does have is creativity, quality and the experience to raise her level when it matters most. The sixth seed will be hoping that these traits can lead her through the second week as she chases her first Grand Slam title.
Jabeur’s qualities will be put through a severe examination in the last 16 as she takes on former champion Petra Kvitova. Kvitova is playing some immaculate tennis as she has confidently eased her way into the second week. In recent years Kvitova hasn’t always brought her best tennis at Grand Slams but times seem to be changing for the ninth seed as she looks to be the one to challenge tennis’ elite and end her nine year wait for a Grand Slam title.
Jabeur looks to use creativity and spin to force Kvitova to play high margin shots while neutralising Kvitova’s serve with intelligent returning. Meanwhile Kvitova looks to dominate on serve and use her forehand to create short balls from Jabeur to hit efficient winners from. This should be an entertaining match with a lot on the line for both players but in the end Kvitova should have too much firepower and consistency for Jabeur.
Prediction: Kvitova in three sets.
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Holger Rune [6] v Grigor Dimitrov [21] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Holger Rune [6] v Grigor Dimitrov [21] | H2H: First Meeting |
| Wimbledon 2023 | London, England |
| Grass (O) | Prize Money: £207,000 |
| Third on No.1 Court (17:00 BST) | BBC Sport |
Holger Rune’s weakest surface was grass coming into Wimbledon this year but the Dane’s confident power from the baseline has seen him reach the second week at SW19. However it was very nearly a different story with the sixth seed edging a fifth set tiebreak against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to reach the last 16. Rune will be hoping he can avoid similar nerve-wracking matches in the future as he bids to reach his third Grand Slam Quarter-Final.
Standing in Rune’s way is former semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov who has been outstanding so far at Wimbledon with the Bulgarian yet to drop a set. Dimitrov’s demolition of Frances Tiafoe was a clear statement that he is ready to go deep into Grand Slams as the 32 year-old continues to perform well when the pressure is off. Now Dimitrov is bidding to reach his first Grand Slam Quarter-Final for two years and his first at Wimbledon for nine years.
Rune is looking to use depth and angles to move Dimitrov out of position as he will look to implement the drop shot to mix up his tactics. Meanwhile Dimitrov will look to continue his consistency on serve, dictating the tempo of rallies with his forehand by accelerating the pace and forcing the errors from the Dane. This should be an aggressive match with both players looking to end the rallies early. In the end Dimitrov should have too much consistency and quality for Rune.
Prediction: Dimitrov in four sets.
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