Novak Djokovic is arguably the greatest of all time. 23-time Grand Slam champion. The imperious Serb has secured his place in the last 16 with unwavering ease, calmly dispatching Stan Wawrinka in his third-round clash. Djokovic progresses without dropping a set, yet Hubert Hurkacz poses a new challenge for the seven-time Wimbledon Champion. The World No.2 enters every match favourite, in an era of dominance parallel to that of Roger Federer.
His opponent, Hubert Hurkacz reaches the Round of 16 with a tremendous victory over World No.14 Lorenzo Musetti and faces the insurmountable Novak Djokovic next. The 6ft 5 Pole's imposing presence and powerful groundstrokes make him more than a formidable opponent, and perhaps like Roger Federer in 2021, the World No.17 can topple another legend.
Carlos Alcaraz's rise has been well documented, but the 2022 US Open champion matched the high bar set to progress to the Round of 16. The Argentinian Nicolas Jarry posed a true test for the Spaniard with his fearsome serve and devastating forehand, yet the World No.1 summoned his best to resist the World No. 25's challenge. An Alcaraz-Djokovic clash in the final would mark a fitting conclusion to the 136th championships, but it is without doubt that the prince will one day be king.
He faces Matteo Berrettini, who has perhaps been the story of the Wimbledon season, defeating Lorenzo Sonego, Alex de Minaur on his way to the third round, before dismantling the German Alexander Zverev with a performance that oozed class. The 2021 runner up faces Carlos Alcaraz next in the Round of 16 and if he continues his terrific form, the Italian may pose a serious test for the World No.1.
Aside from Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas alongside Daniil Medvedev are perhaps Novak Djokovic's fiercest challengers, and the Greek demonstrated his prowess under pressure to reach the second week at Wimbledon. The fifth seed ousted home favourite, two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray in the second round, before comfortably beating Djere.
Daniil Medvedev has seen off the heavy-hitting Marton Fuscovics and the experienced Adrian Mannarino to reach the next round. Medvedev has claimed five titles this season already and faces Jiri Lehecka for a quarterfinal spot. The Czech has impressed defeating Francisco Cerundolo and Sebastian Ofner, before emerging victorious in a gruelling five set clash against the American Tommy Paul.
A new generation has emerged in tennis, spearheaded by Carlos Alcaraz, but Jannick Sinner and Holger Rune are in their own rights, future superstars, reaching the second week at Wimbledon, hoping to mount a serious title challenge. While the Italian progresses with relative comfort, and faces David Galan next, the Dane withstood a mighty challenge from Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, clinching an epic in a fifth set tiebreak and faces the winner of Frances Tiafoe and Grigor Dimitrov in the next round.
Elsewhere, Denis Shapovaloc has impressed this season, coming back from one set down to beat Liam Broady, the hugely impressive Brit toppling the fourth seed Casper Ruud in a five-set spectacle on centre court. Meanwhile, Andrey Rublev and Alexander Bublik face off in the Round of 16 with the Russian continuing his exceptional season in 2023.
The first week at SW 19 has brought considerate shocks, with Chris Eubanks defeating Cameron Norrie and the talented Taylor Fritz and Felix Auger-Aliassime once again underperforming at a major in 2023. In a week shrouded by wet weather, Wimbledon as it so often does has been a canvas for exuberant tennis and has delivered in bucketloads.
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