3 July 2022; London, United Kingdom; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) returns a shot during his match against Jannik Sinner (ITA) on day seven at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
The final two men’s quarter-final matches at Wimbledon will be played on Wednesday. Will Carlos Alcaraz continue his march to the top of the sport? Will Christopher Eubanks’ dream run continue? Our writers share their thoughts on both Wednesday’s games with you. Damian Kust, Jordan Reynolds and Andreas Pelekis predict these matches. We also share our thoughts on Wednesday’s women’s matches. Who do you think will advance to the semi-finals?
Wimbledon Men’s Quarter Final Predictions
Daniil Medvedev vs Christopher Eubanks
Damien:
What a run from Eubanks with nine wins in a row in Mallorca and here. No one thought he’d make such an impact on the tour with his serve-oriented game, but he’s actually showing flashes of brilliance from the ground as well now. They just are, winking. Against a defender like Medvedev, you have to have the ability to keep him out of his preferred footwork and be a little more unconventional. It is not certain that Eubanks will bring it to the court on Wednesday and it is a much more difficult match for him than against Tsitsipas.
Prediction: Medvedev in 4th
Jordan:
It’s impossible not to love Christopher Eubanks. A dream run to the quarter-finals on his Wimbledon debut, playing a watchable brand of tennis and all done by a guy who seems like one of the nicest on the Tour. Looking at this match with a neutral mind, I see a Medvedev win. The third seed looks the most comfortable he has ever been on grass and will come into this one very fresh from Jiri Lehecka’s retirement after two sets. Medvedev should have a serve capable of holding up against Eubanks if he hits his spots and a return more capable of creating consistent chances than Tsitsipas in the last round. Medvedev to win, but it is impossible to completely rule out Eubanks disrupting logic on paper again after the run he has had.
Prediction: Medvedev in 4th
Andreas:
Eubanks has played some incredible tennis over the last three weeks, culminating in a massive win over Stefanos Tsitsipas. That run could continue and he would be the first American in a Wimbledon semifinal since Isner in 2018 if he wins this one. The American thrives in rallies from his effortless power, and his one-handed backhand has noticeably improved a ton. However, that shot can be exploited by Medvedev, whose flat groundstrokes without pace will force fouls. Similarly, Medvedev’s move could also prove to be a big challenge. While Eubanks could certainly win this with his confidence, I feel that Medvedev’s experience should prove to be a little too much.
Prediction: Medvedev in 4th
Carlos Alcaraz vs Holger Rune
Damien:
Alcaraz vs Rune is a matchup we haven’t seen much of yet with only two meetings – one in the funky format of the NextGen Finals and the other ending in a retirement from the World No. 1. They’ve both managed to improve their grass court matches this year. Alcaraz is much further along in his development and dominates the Tour a lot more, but their matchups can actually be really close like the Alcaraz vs Sinner rivalry. Rune’s problem-solving on the grass has been excellent for a fortnight and yet I can’t go against the Spaniard here.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4th
Jordan:
Holger Rune matures and becomes mentally stronger before our eyes, and he plays and wins the most important points in two very close matches with Davidovich Fokina and Dimitrov. However, I am backing Alcaraz to win this battle between the rising stars of the game more comfortably than most would think. Both players can hit big from the back of the court, but Alcaraz has additional skills that will help him in this matchup on grass, such as a better slice backhand and being more competent at the net. In addition, we saw Rune get off to a very flat start against Casper Ruud in the Roland Garros quarter-finals after a tough five-setter in his previous match. Two very tough fights for Rune heading into this match could give the Spaniard another edge. If the Dane is to have a chance to win, he has to impose himself from the start.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3rd
Andreas:
Probably the biggest popcorn match of the tournament so far, as this will be their first meeting in a Grand Slam. The two haven’t had a “fair match” yet either, with Alcaraz winning in a short-set format in 2021 and Rune winning by retirement last year in Paris. With a best-of-five format, this match should be riveting. Alcaraz will need to move well and take advantage of any opening late in a set. He will also do better by not over-pressing in rallies, something that negatively affected him in his third round match against Jarry. Rune’s grit will keep him in this fight for a while, but it won’t be enough towards the end. This could go five sets, but Alcaraz will more likely find a way to close in a close four-setter.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4th
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports