By Kieran Jackson
- Daria Kasatkina [14] vs Angelique Kerber [11]
- Serena Williams [25] vs Camila Giorgi
- Dominika Cibulkova vs Jelena Ostapenko [12]
WIMBLEDON, UK – Following Manic Monday, the women are back in action – this is our three-to-see of the singles quarter-finals.
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Daria Kasatkina [14] vs Angelique Kerber [11] | H2H: Tied at 3-3
If this match between Daria Kasatkina and Angelique Kerber is as riveting as their encounter two weeks ago in Eastbourne, we’re in for a treat. Kerber won 6-1 6-7(3) 7-6(3), thus bringing their head-to-head statistics to three wins apiece.
Kasatkina, the impressive 21-year-old from Russia, dropped her first set of the tournament in the fourth round to Garbiñe Muguruza’s conqueror Alison Van Uytvanck, but rallied to win in three sets and reach her second consecutive Grand-Slam quarter-final – she lost to Sloane Stephens in the last eight at Roland Garros.
The Russian number one has looked in fine form throughout the tournament, especially during her straight-sets win against Ash Barty in the third round, and will go into her first match on Centre Court full of confidence.
Two-time Grand Slam champion Kerber will go into the match in a similarly upbeat mood, after a convincing straight-sets win against Belinda Bencic in the fourth round. The German, who reached the final at the All England Club in 2016, will hope to take advantage of a women’s draw which has opened up in the past week, leaving her as the highest seed at number 11.
It will be tight, but Kerber is the favourite to progress to the semi-finals.
Prediction: Kerber in three sets
Serena Williams [25] vs Camila Giorgi | H2H: Williams leads 3-0
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) July 7, 2018
Serena Williams must be jumping with joy at what has occurred in the women’s draw this past week. With the top ten seeds already departing from the tournament, the 23-time Grand Slam winner is now the favourite to add to her seven Wimbledon titles. So far, she has been in devastating form, not yet dropping a set in four matches, and sweeping aside her fourth round opponent Evgeniya Rodina with relative ease, winning 6-2 6-2.
On the other hand, Camila Giorgi has already achieved her best-ever result at a Grand Slam by reaching the quarter-finals here. The Italian’s 6-3 6-4 over Ekaterina Makarova in the round of 16 was a statement of intent, and will give the World No. 52 hope that she can pose some problems for Williams. However, it would have to be a performance of a lifetime (or an unlikely Williams capitulation in performance level), to secure a win.
Prediction: Williams in two sets
Dominika Cibulkova vs Jelena Ostapenko [12] | H2H: Cibulkova leads 2-0
Not being awarded a seed, due to Serena Williams’ rise to 25th seed by the AELTC, was probably the best thing that could have happened to Dominika Cibulkova. The Slovakian was in line to be 32nd seed had Williams not been seeded; yet the decision has motivated Cibulkova to prove the AELTC wrong. The 29-year-old is yet to drop a set so far, and has beaten two seeded players on her road to the quarter-finals: home favourite Johanna Konta and Elise Mertens.
Cibulkova’s opponent in the last eight is 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, who is also yet to drop a set at Wimbledon this year. The 21-year-old Latvian has an assured game, and is looking increasingly comfortable on the grass. The pair met on grass in Eastbourne two years ago, with Cibulkova coming out on top in straight sets. However, this one is much more tricky to call, with this opening match on Court 1 on Tuesday likely to go the distance.
Prediction: Cibulkova in three sets
Women’s singles action gets underway at 13:00 BST, on Centre Court and No.1 Court.
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