Wimbledon

[jimlosaltos]

Opening Betting Odds

Jannik Sinner the favorite at +170
Carlos Alcaraz +245
Novak Djokovic +335
Alexander Zverev +1,665
Hubi Hurckaz +1,935

And for the daring better Federico Coria trails the pack at +150,000 -- but think of the pay out !

[jimlosaltos]

Womens' Singles - Projected Quarter-finals by Seeding

Swiatek (1) vs Vondrousova (6)
Rybakina (4) vs Pegula (5)
Zheng (8) vs Sabalenka (3)
Paolini (7) vs Gauff (2)

The women's side is perplexing. World number one Iga Swiatek has never lived up to her ranking on Wimbledon's grass, where her long strokes are rushed and her over-reliance on kick serves is less effective. We saw an improved serve at Roland Garros. In particular, her wide slice in the deuce court, which would suit Wimby grass, was humming. Iga would meet defending champ Marketa Vondrousova in one quarter (frankly, I think Marketa a long shot to get there), and former Wimby champ Elena Rybakina in the semifinals. But Iga has never gotten beyond the quarters here, losing four years in a row to players none of whom was even in the top 20.

Meanwhile, both Rybakina and Aussie champ Aryna Sabalenka pulled out of grass tune-ups with various issues. Does this clear the way for US Open champ Coco Gauff? Coco has beaten both Rybakina and Saby, while her nemesis Iga (H2H 1-11) is on the opposite side, so they couldn't meet before the finals. Contrary arguments include Coco's inconsistent play, in losing a recent semifinal on grass to Jessica Pegula, Coco got only 49% of first serves in. Doesn't do much good to hit 125 MPH if you can't hit the box.

Iga's Wimbledon Losses
2023 QF to Elina Svitolina Ranked 76* 5-7,7-6(5) 2-6
2022 R32 Aliz? Cornet #37*4-6 2-6
2021 R16 Ons Jabeur #21* 7-51-61-6
2020 DNP
2019 R128 Viktorija Golubic Rank 81 2-6, 6-7(5)

[jimlosaltos]

Looks as if I should get this started.

Wimbledon projected men's quarterfinals by seeding
Sinner (1) vs Medvedev (5)
Alcaraz (3) vs Ruud (8)
Rublev (6) vs Zverev (4)
Hurkacz (7) vs Djokovic (2)


On seed, world number one Jannik Sinner has to meet defending champ and world number three, Carlos Alcaraz in one semifinal. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic despite being the second seed gets an easier first week to work back into tournament form (surprise! not), potentially meeting whichever no-flag wins between Rublev & Zverev, neither of whom has done much at Wimbledon, then seventh seed Hubi Hurckaz in the other semifinal.

Djoko was not only wearing a big brace on his surgically-repaired knee (if one can call scraping out damaged meniscus "repair") but also a sleeve on his elbow, which he had surgery on several years ago. I believe that was a bursa sac removal, which can recur, although he never confirmed that. Source: Unk

Last I heard Andy Murray had not decided on playing singles due to back surgery for a cyst, I believe, although he seemed likely to play doubles with his brother. Andy is scheduled to play Tuesday.

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