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Wimbledon Day 7: Three to See

Jul 8th 2018

Karolina Pliskova versus Kiki Bertens

Few women have been able to avoid the reaping of the seeds at this year's Wimbledon, but two who have are Karolina Pliskova and Kiki Bertens.  Unfortunately for them, by the time play ends on Manic Monday, one of these women will be joining the other seeds who have already been sent packing.  It should be entertaining to see who handles the occasion better.  While both have gone deeper than the fourth round at the majors, neither has been to the second week of Wimbledon.  Still, as the woman who has previously been to the final of a major and the one who enjoys a 2-1 lead in this rivalry – including a decisive victory earlier this spring in Stuttgart – Pliskova should be better mentally prepared for the moment. 

Kiki Bertens

Pliskova also possesses greater and easier firepower from the ground and on serve, which should mitigate to some degree the favored forehand stroke and serve of the Dutchwoman.  But as evidenced by the way she scraped by Venus Williams in the third round, Bertens is more than capable of taking it to her opponent.  She, too, is a powerful ball-striker, and she definitely has more variety in her game than the Czech.  Furthermore, while movement is not her strong point, she is more agile than Pliskova, putting her at an advantage when it comes to having to call on defense.  Based on what fans have seen from Bertens, who is enjoying one of the best seasons of her career, there is every reason to believe that she can rise to the occasion to garner the upset.  And yet, despite a few close calls already, there is arguably a hair more reason to believe in Pliskova's chances.  Her best is better than that of Bertens, and if she brings it, she is moving through to her first Wimbledon quarterfinal.

John Isner versus Stefanos Tsitsipas

Although not quite to the same degree as the women's draw, the men's draw at this year's Wimbledon has also been plagued by its share of surprise upsets.  That leaves the door open though for others to take advantage.  One man hoping to make good on such an opportunity is John Isner.  The American nearly found himself among the upsets in the first week before saving match points in the second round to keep his title hopes alive.  Ironically, Wimbledon has been the least favorable to the ninth seed as far as searching for his first major title.  His weapons should translate well to the grass.  He has a huge serve that earns him free points on any surface.  He has above-average feel in the forecourt and loves to lean into his shots, especially on the forehand.  He has demonstrated an increased commitment to playing offensive tennis this season, which no doubt played a part in him capturing the biggest title of his career this past spring in Miami.  That is what has helped propel him to his first trip the second week of Wimbledon, and he will be keen to go another round further. 

John Isner

He faces a talented up-and-comer, however, in Stefanos Tsitsipas.  The Greek teenager really started to hit his stride during the clay-court swing and now finds himself knocking on the door of the Top 30.  His favorite surface is grass and favorite tournament is Wimbledon, so he is sure to be comfortable out there on the court.  At 6'4” he has a serve that is bound to earn him free points, particularly against a poor returner like Isner.  He also moves exceptionally well for his size and sports a few more tools in his bag of tricks than the American.  The two have only played once, that coming last year in Shanghai where Isner won in two tiebreak sets.  That result would suggest there is little to choose between the two, and that could be the case on Monday.  While the serve will be important, this one is apt to come down to who has the better returning day and is able to take advantage when he puts the return in play.  Isner is technically the favorite, but Tsitsipas is playing with a little more freedom, which might just be what he needs to garner the upset and continue to break new ground at the All England Club.

Angelique Kerber versus Belinda Bencic

Belinda Bencic kicked off her Wimbledon campaign by knocking off the sixth seed Caroline Garcia, and she dismissed another in the third round to reach the second week.  She will be hoping to upset yet another seed on Monday when she takes on Angelique Kerber.  Despite not being seeded herself, savvy fans know that the Swiss is more than capable of producing the kind of high-level tennis requisite for earning the victory.  She was a Top 10 player, who had already accumulated a number of impressive wins before injuries sidelined her.  But she is quickly working her way back up the ranks with her run here and is sure to be confident the run does not have to stop in the fourth round.  She has a beautiful, all-around game that she learned under the tutelage of Melanie Molitor, the mother of Martina Hingis, as well as time spent with Hingis herself.  She has utilized all of her various skills to great effect to frustrate her opposition, including Kerber. 

Belinda Bencic

In fact, not only is she a perfect 3-0 against the German, but she has yet to drop a set to her.  That lopsided head-to-head could prove a bit of a mental block for the eleventh seed, but then again, it may not.  The bulk of those losses came before Kerber had really tapped into her best form, and it is fair to say that she is a better player now than she was then.  Crucially, she also has two majors under her belt, as well as a finalist appearance here, which should, in turn, help her cope on the pivotal points.  Kerber has also looked the sharper of the pair to this juncture and is presently the fitter of the two.  None of that is to say that Bencic cannot pull off yet another upset.  Her wins against the German in the past were not a fluke, and she has unquestionably turned her game back in the right direction.  That said, if Kerber plays the way she did against Naomi Osaka in the previous round, taking the ball on and changing the direction of the ball at whim, then she will live up to her seeding and move through to the quarterfinals.