By Tony Fairbairn At Wimbledon
- Iga Swiatek [1] v Belinda Bencic [14]
- Andrey Rublev [7] v Alexander Bublik [23]
- Victoria Azarenka [19] v Elina Svitolina [WC]
LONDON, ENGLAND – Iga Swiatek will collide with Belinda Bencic for a spot in the Wimbledon quarter-finals on day seven of the third Grand Slam of the year.
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Iga Swiatek [1] v Belinda Bencic [14] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Iga Swiatek [1] v Belinda Bencic [14] | H2H: Swiatek leads 2-1 |
| Wimbledon 2023 | London, England |
| Grass (O) | Prize Money: £207,000 |
| Second on Centre Court (16:00 BST) | BBC Sport |
Iga Swiatek’s impressive Wimbledon campaign continues after a straight sets win over Petra Martic ensures that she’s into the second week at SW19 for the second time in her career. The world number one is playing flawless tennis as she continues the momentum from winning Roland Garros and now looks to prove to everyone that she’s just as dangerous on grass then she is on clay. Now the former Juniors champion looks to reach her first Wimbledon quarter-final, therefore setting the pace for the rest of the field to follow.
However a tough test awaits in the last 16 in the form of Belinda Bencic who is into the second week after a tough last few months. This is only Bencic’s third tournament since Miami as she has had to deal with injury problems as well as a coaching split. However Bencic for the most part of the season has played aggressive and proactive tennis with Bencic now looking to fulfil her potential on what should be her best surface.
Swiatek will look to use her slice and variety in tactics to cause Bencic problems as the Pole looks to rush her opponent. Meanwhile Bencic will look to be aggressive on return and use depth and the angles on court to move the world number one out of position. Most of their previous meetings have been tight and this match will be no different with grass being Bencic’s best chance of beating Swiatek.
Prediction: Bencic in three sets.
Andrey Rublev [7] v Alexander Bublik [23] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Andrey Rublev [7] v Alexander Bublik [25] | H2H: Rublev leads 3-1 |
| Wimbledon 2023 | London, England |
| Grass (O) | Prize Money: £207,000 |
| First on Centre Court (13:30 BST) | BBC Sport |
Andrey Rublev produced a very good win over last year’s quarter-finalist David Goffin to reach the second week at Wimbledon for the second time. Rublev’s result here is proof that the seventh seed is one of the most consistent players on the tour as his effortless power is hard to get past. However Rublev is yet to prove himself as a Grand Slam contender and will no doubt hope that this year’s Wimbledon is the year that he gets to do that.
Rublev’s Grand Slam title credentials will be tested in the next round as he takes on the man that beat him for the Halle title in the form of Alexander Bublik. After years of being accused of not taking his tennis seriously, Bublik has been inspired over the last few weeks playing some immaculate tennis. After winning the biggest title of his career in Halle, Bublik has continued the momentum into Wimbledon as he is yet to lose a set in the tournament. Now Bublik will look to power his way to a maiden Grand Slam quarter-final.
Rublev will look to use the wide serve to move Bublik out of position and create space on the court to fire winners. Meanwhile Bublik will look to serve effectively and try different tactics to throw Rublev off his game. This will be a big-hitting affair with both players in good form right now however Bublik has the tactical and psychological advantage heading into this match and enters as slight favourite.
Prediction: Bublik in five sets.
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Victoria Azarenka [19] v Elina Svitolina [WC] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Victoria Azarenka [19] v Elina Svitolina [WC] | H2H: Azarenka leads 5-0 |
| Wimbledon 2023 | London, England |
| Grass (O) | Prize Money: £207,000 |
| Third on No.1 Court (17:00 BST) | BBC Sport |
Victoria Azarenka produced her most impressive performance of her Wimbledon campaign so far with a straight sets demolition of Daria Kasatkina. The 19th seed knows how to elevate her game on the big stages as shown in Australia where she reached the semi-finals. Now the 19th seed looks to continue her immaculate serving as she looks to reach her fifth Wimbledon quarter-final.
Standing in Azarenka’s way is a rejuvenated Elina Svitolina who produced an impressive performance to defeat Sofia Kenin. Svitolina is now into the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the second event running as the Ukrainian seems to have rediscovered her confidence and movement from the baseline. Now Svitolina will look to continue her consistency as she looks to match her performance in Paris and reach the last eight.
Azarenka will look to dictate the tempo on serve and use the forehand to change the pace of the rallies. Meanwhile Svitolina looks to neutralise Azarenka’s aggression with her backhand as she looks to use depth to implement effective counter-attacking tennis. This will be a good test for Azarenka but one she should win comfortably given her confidence right now.
Prediction: Azarenka in straight sets.
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