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Wimbledon Day 5: Three to See

Jul 5th 2018

Venus Williams versus Kiki Bertens

The third round has arrived, which means the clashing of the seeds has commenced.  One of the more intriguing of those clashes features Venus Williams and Kiki Bertens.  Being the higher seed of the pair, Williams is the automatic favorite on paper.  It is also natural to want to label Williams a favorite in virtually every match she plays at the All England Club.  Grass is her best surface, which is why five of her seven major singles titles have come at Wimbledon.  Her phenomenal firepower is always rewarded on the grass, as is her net play, which she has improved and utilized with greater frequency in the latter stages of her career.  Additionally, her forehand, which can break down, tends to hold up better on this surface due to the way the ball moves through the court.  Suffice it to say, she is typically a tough out at this venue.  She is, however, facing someone in Bertens who could pose a challenge. 

Venus Williams

The Dutchwoman has really come into her own this season, rising into the Top 20 this past spring with her finalist appearance in Madrid.  And for all that clay and hard courts are her preferred surfaces, there is no reason why she cannot carve out success on grass.  She, too, is a big ball-striker on both the forehand and backhand wings.  At 6'0”, she is perfectly capable of holding her own on serve, and her second delivery is arguably more reliable than that of the American's.  She is a Top 20 doubles player as well, so not only does she know her way around the net, she is unlikely to be intimidated or panicked upon seeing Williams charge forward.  The lone encounter between these two came earlier this year in Miami, and it was a tight, three-set tussle in favor of the American.  At this tournament, Williams is the better bet to repeat that feat by earning another win over the twentieth seed, but she is going to have to avoid a slow start and bring her best if she wants to do so.

Sam Querrey versus Gael Monfils

It seems that no matter the tournament and no matter the round, a match featuring Gael Monfils is sure to be labeled as “popcorn” tennis.  The Frenchman plays a colorful and artistic brand of tennis – sometimes to his own detriment – that has earned him fans in all corners of the globe.  The veteran remains one of the quickest players off the mark, is solid and able to mix it up from both sides off the ground, has a serve that is a formidable weapon, and he is decent in the forecourt.  He will be hoping to use all of his skills to break new ground at the All England Club by advancing to the second week for the first time in his career.  Standing in his way of that uncharted territory is Sam Querrey, and the American could prove too tough of a hurdle to overcome.  Querrey has arguably underachieved for what many first hoped he would accomplish when he came onto the scene more than a decade ago, but he is still capable of producing great tennis, especially here at Wimbledon. 

Gael Monfils

It is not talked about as much as Isner's or Karlovic's, but Querrey owns one of the most powerful first and second serves in the sport, and it seems to be at its best at the All England Club.  He also loves to wail on his forehand, which is an essential tool that played a part in helping him reach the final four of this event last season.  It is true that Monfils possesses the more consistent and versatile backhand, and he assuredly holds a decisive edge in the movement department.  He also owns a perfect 2-0 record against the eleventh seed.  But none of that may matter on Friday.  Querrey can take the racket out of his opponent's hands on his own serve on this surface, and that frees him up to take chances on the return games.  He has enjoyed more success at this venue than the Frenchman as well, and he has played better tennis overall in recent months.  It could certainly be entertaining, but Querrey should live up to his seeding and advance to the second week.

Serena Williams versus Kristinia Mladenovic

To say that the women's field at this year's Wimbledon has been decimated would be an understatement.  There has been plenty of carnage with a number of the top seeds sent packing in the opening rounds, but a familiar face remains.  Serena Williams, who was awarded a seed based on her play in Paris and previous accomplishments here, is now the favorite to win the title and will be keen to live up to those expectations when she faces Kristina Mladenovic in the third round.  Less than a year ago, the Frenchwoman was ranked in the Top 10 and looked on her way to continuing her ascent up the ranks.  Sadly, it has not panned out that way for her, as her play throughout 2018 has been dismal, hence why her ranking has tumbled outside of the Top 60.  There is no telling when a talented player like Mladenovic will suddenly turn things around though, and Williams will be well aware of the possible danger she poses. 

Serena Williams

The Frenchwoman hits hard and flat, and she is very comfortable on the grass.  She also has a lot of variety from the backhand wing, as well as touch and feel at the net.  She is apt to give Williams a lot of different looks, which could be unsettling for the former Number 1, who is still looking to find her best form as she works her way back into regular competition.  Williams remains the one in a better position to control proceedings, however.  She does hit bigger off the ground, can hit outright winners on the return, and her serve remains the greatest in the history of the women's game.  She has won multiple titles at this venue as well as at the other majors, so between that and the run of poor form from Mladenovic this season, Williams's game not only puts her in a more favorable position to garner the win, but she is mentally in a better place as well.  All things considered, it could be a close and competitive affair like their lone encounter that went the way of Williams at Roland Garros two years ago, but if Williams plays at or near her best, she is moving through to the Round of Sixteen.