We have reached the semi-finals in the men's draw at Wimbledon and a top-quality line-up promises two enthralling matches at SW19.
There has been no lack of drama in the men’s singles, but the semi-final line-up does not come as a major surprise>
Taylor Fritz prepares to challenge two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, while seven-time winner Novak Djokovic is getting ready to take on world number one Jannik Sinner.
All have gone through some difficult moments and Fritz is getting ready to face a final-four clash at Wimbledon for the first time in his career.
Alcaraz is seeking a third successive victory in a Wimbledon semi-final, while Djokovic has faced 13 final-four clashes at the All England Club, winning 10 and losing just three.
Selections
Sinner to prove too strong for Djokovic
It is impossible to know whether Sinner would have reached this stage of the tournament without the injury to his unfortunate quarter-final opponent, Grigor Dimitrov.
But the Italian has been otherwise faultless on his run to the semi-finals and has the game to dismantle Djokovic, who is simply not at the levels seen for the majority of his stunning career.
Dismissing Djokovic’s chances is not done lightly, however.
The Serbian tops the men’s Grand Slam winners list with 24 victories, including seven successes at Wimbledon, which he has spoken of as his favourite event.
But there are clear signs that Djokovic’s physical abilities, while still impressive, are on the wane.
And his famous mental strength doesn’t seem to have any impact on Sinner, who has won each of the last four meetings between these two players.
Sinner has twice lost to Djokovic at Wimbledon – in a five-setter at the quarter-final stage in 2022 and a straight sets semi-final defeat in 2023 – but he has been the sport’s most consistent player in recent times and is competing to advance to a fourth successive Grand Slam final.
The Italian was a straight sets winner over Djokovic in this year’s French Open semi-finals and a similar outcome could be on the cards against the 38-year-old, who was an unconvincing quarter-final winner over Flavio Cobolli.
Tip 1: Jannik Sinner -1.5 Set Handicap @ 1/1
Fritz could be frazzled by Alcaraz
Alcaraz has reeled off 19 successive Wimbledon match victories and should come up with the answers against Fritz, although he could be pushed hard by the American fifth seed.
The 22-year-old has an incredibly strong mentality which was demonstrated to the full with his stunning 4-6 6-7 6-4 7-6 7-6 victory over Sinner in the French Open final.
He followed up by landing the title at Queen’s Club, where he was far from his best, while has made steady progress through the Wimbledon draw without needing to reach the heights of his recent Roland Garros triumph.
Alcaraz was not seriously tested by quarter-final opponent Cameron Norrie and may need to increase his focus against Fritz, who has a big serve and a dogged attitude which served him well in the opening round, when he had to come from two sets down to defeat power-packed Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Fritz has faced Alcaraz twice – both times on hard courts – and is yet to win a set.
However, he should pose more of a threat on grass and can bow out with a respectable three sets to one loss.
Tip 2: Carlos Alcaraz to win 3-1 @ 23/10
