Photo Source: Camera Sport
Wimbledon, Day 10: Quarterfinal action concludes at the Championships. By close of business on Thursday the semifinals will be set!
See the full Day 10 Order of Play Here
Here’s what’s on tap…
Andreeva v Bencic
18-year-old Mirra Andreeva has done nothing but impress in her Grand Slam career. Now in her 10th major, the Russian has become the youngest woman to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals since 2007, and she’ll face veteran Belinda Bencic – aka last mom standing – next.
The Swiss, 15 months removed from giving birth to her first daughter, baby Bella, has 50 grass court wins to her name. She may be into her first quarterfinal at Wimbledon, but she’s always been solid on the surface, reaching five finals, winning a title and going 4-4 against the Top 10.
She’ll be up against it against Andreeva, as the teen has yet to drop a set at Wimbledon this year, and she’s racked up 36 wins this season, including titles in Dubai and Indian Wells.
It will be a battle of two craftmasters. Bencic likes to cut of angles and take time from her opponents; Andreeva likes to create angles and keep her opponent off balance with a steady mix of power and finesse.
Pick: Andreeva in three
Nole’s Drive for 25
The Grand Slam king had to battle hard to get past Alex de Minaur in the round of 16, and he did so admirable, switching gears to dispatch the indefatigable Aussie in four. Up next for the seven-time champion is a first-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist by the name of Flavio Cobolli. The Italian has surprised everybody – even Djokovic – by his adaptation to the grass, but he’s likely at the end of the line for this year’s journey.
Djokovic current form, and his wealth of experience, should guide him to a relatively uncomplicated win on Centre Court, where he is so comfortable, and where Cobolli, who played his round of 16 match on No.2 Court, could be a deer in the headlights.
Pick: Djokovic in three
Iga Grass Guru?
Seven out of eight victories on the grass has bolstered the confidence of five-time major champion Iga Swiatek at the All England Club. Throw in a little pasta and strawberries – seriously? Yes! – and we may have a recipe for a career-best performance from the Pole at Wimbledon.
To do that, Swiatek will have to get past dangerous Russian Liudmila Samsonova, a player that has always excelled on the grass, and maybe even underachieved based on raw talent.
Samsonova plays the straight power game and if she’s executing and dictating, she could give Swiatek nightmares. It will behoove the Pole to hit a high first-serve percentage. This match will come down to the player who controls the run of play, and keeps the unforced error count down.
Advantage, Iga.
Pick: Swiatek in straights
Sinner vs Shelton
Question No.1: how is Jannik Sinner’s ailing right elbow? The Italian was shaken up early in his fourth-round match against Grigor Dimitrov, and fell behind two sets before benefitting from Dimitrov’s retirement. But he’s worried about the injury and received an MRI on Tuesday. Sinner says that he felt it affected him on his serve and forehand, and if that is the case on Wednesday against Shelton, it could spell big trouble.
The American southpaw, 11-2 at the majors this year, has only lost to Sinner and Alcaraz at the Grand Slams. Now the youngest American man into the Wimbledon quarterfinals since 2004, Shelton will look to reach his third Grand Slam semifinal against the World No.1.
He’ll embrace the underdog mentality and hope to unlock the secret of beating the truly elite. He’s 0-4 vs the Top 10 at the majors and 0-11 against the Top-3 lifetime.
That said, Shelton did defeat Sinner in Shanghai in 2023, but he has lost their last five meetings in straight sets. Last year, at Wimbledon, he fell to Sinner, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(9).
Pick: Sinner in four
Enjoy.