4 min read
Wimbledon is into its second week with the quarterfinals mostly set. A flurry of dark horses has made headlines, while the favorites remain in the hunt for the title, making for what should be a highly entertaining second week. Universal Tennis INSIGHTS has selected Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek as most likely to win, but the obstacles are only getting bigger.
Let's dive into Week 1's biggest storylines with a look into what's to come.
2023 Wimbledon Most Likely to Win
Percentages according to Universal Tennis INSIGHTS
WOMEN'S
(1) Iga Swiatek - 27%
(3) Elena Rybakina - 21%
(2) Aryna Sabalenka - 20%
(4) Jessica Pegula - 8%
Marketa Vondrousova - 6%
MEN'S
(2) Novak Djokovic - 24%
(1) Carlos Alcaraz - 21%
(3) Daniil Medvedev - 17%
(8) Jannik Sinner - 15%
(7) Andrey Rublev - 6%
Swiatek Settles into SW19
Swiatek has been honest about grass not being her favorite surface, though most of that struggle is due to her limited experience playing on it. The 22-year-old Pole saved two match points in a dicey win over Belinda Bencic to reach her first Wimbledon quarterfinal.
Coming up clutch.@iga_swiatek saved two match points on her way to 4R victory #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/ev1iuYKROm
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2023
“Every day my love is getting bigger,” Swiatek said, of grass. “Hopefully, I'm going to have as many days as possible to stay here and play on this court, because for sure this is my best year on grass. I feel really kind of motivated, because I know that even when you're not feeling 100 percent,
The Ladies' Singles quarter-finals are set.#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/YuaPjw0KAx
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2023
Svitolina Has Style
Swiatek will next face wild card Elina Svitolina, a new mom who came into Wimbledon with low expectations despite being a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist. She and her husband Gael Monfils welcomed their daughter Skai last October. Svitolina's expectations were so low that she had plans to attend a Harry Styles concert in Vienna on Saturday night, ultimately having to give up her tickets.
"I think after giving birth to our daughter, this is the second happiest moment in my life,” she said after defeating Azarenka in a deciding tiebreak. Svitolina has also beaten Venus Williams, Elise Mertens, and Sofia Kenin.
Styles would come through for the 28-year-old Ukrainian, letting her know on Instagram that all hope is not lost for her concert-going dreams:
"Congratulations!" the pop star wrote. "We have four shows to go, you’re welcome at any of them. Good luck with the rest of the tournament."
.@ElinaSvitolina has an open invitation to Harry's House 🤩
— TENNIS (@Tennis) July 10, 2023
Check out @Harry_Styles's shoutout for the #Wimbledon quarterfinalist:https://t.co/hJ12eLoqxD
Djokovic Stays Up Late to Stay on Track
Second seed Novak Djokovic has been challenged with late-night matches, having to play a series of night matches. He barely avoided the 11 p.m. All England Club curfew when he beat Stan Wawrinka in three sets in the third round but had to return after a night off to wrap up his fourth-round win over Hubert Hurkacz on Monday.
The 36-year-old is firmly on track for his eighth Wimbledon crown and 24th major overall as he takes on Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals.
QF IDEMOOOOOO 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱😃🙌🏼🙏🏼💪🏼 @Wimbledon #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/WFJ6uGdYKI
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) July 10, 2023
Unseeded Stars Make Waves
Unseeded 25-year-old Roman Safiullin has shocked the world by reaching the quarterfinals, becoming just the 12th man in the Open era to go so far in his Wimbledon debut. Safiullin, a junior Australian Open champion in 2015, had never been beyond the second round of a major. This fortnight, he has taken out seeds Roberto Bautista Agut and Denis Shapovalov and will face Jannik Sinner next.
The Gentlemen's Singles quarter-finals are locked in 🔒 #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/QSwS0fMQv5
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2023
Another surprise deep run has been at the hands of Georgia Tech alumni Christopher Eubanks. Eubanks was one of 23 college players in the tournament and is the only one left as he soaks in his biggest career breakthrough by reaching the quarterfinals. Like Safiullin, the 27-year-old Eubanks is also making his Wimbledon main-draw debut. His wins have included No. 12 seed Cameron Norrie and, on Monday, an incredible performance over No. 5 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
You aren't dreaming @chris_eubanks96 😍💫
— Universal Tennis (@UniversalTennis) July 10, 2023
The American is through to the #Wimbledon quarterfinals! pic.twitter.com/PkVkX5Y24v
Stay tuned for more from INSIGHTS as players race toward finals weekend.