Novak Djokovic’s quest for a 25th Grand Slam title remains on track after seeing off a spirted challenge from ‘Speed Demon’ Alex de Minaur. Djokovic, playing in front of eight-time Wimbledon champ Roger Federer, struggled in the early stages against an inspired de Minaur, losing the first set in just 31 minutes (perhaps he struggled playing in front of his grand old rival).
2025 ATP Tour
Grand Slam Tennis
Wimbledon Tennis Championships
All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, England (Outdoor Grass-court)
Selected Quarterfinals- 9th July
Novak Djokovic (6) 0.08 vs Flavio Cobolli (22) 6.6
But we have all seen this movie before. Djokovic slowly started to reassert his dominance, wearing the Aussie down with his depth of shot. Having said that, the Serb struggled in the 4th set, with de Minaur missing out on an opportunity to take a 5-1 lead. Djokovic pounced in typical fashion, claiming the last five games to win 1-6,6-4, 6-4, 6-4. On Saturday, Djokovic became only the 3rd person in history (after Federer and Navratilova) to collect 100 Wimbledon singles victories. He is now into his 16th Wimbledon quarterfinal. He has won 43 of his last 45 Wimbledon matches, reaching the final every year since 2017 (those two losses coming against Alcaraz in the last two finals).
Flavio Cobolli apparently hated playing on grass as a kid (which I find somewhat ironic for a guy who played academy football for his beloved AS Roma). In any event, the 23-year-old Italian has been a breath of fresh air during these championships, using his wide array of shot-making to bamboozle his opponents (like what fellow countryman Lorenzo Musetti did here last year). He has averaged 35.5 winners per match during these championships, using his array of slices and angles to perplex more baseline-orientated players. This was most evident in his straight-sets dismantling of power-hitter Jakub Mensik. He had more of a struggle in his round of 16 clash, dropping his first set of the tournament against wily old grass-court practitioner Marin Cilic. Cobolli has shot up the rankings this year, winning his first two titles in Bucharest and Hamburg.
The Verdict: Djokovic to win in straight sets at 0.65- Djokovic leads the rivalry 1-0, thrashing the Italian at last year’s Shanghai Masters. I can’t really see any other result that a comfortable Djokovic victory. The Serb is a tactical master and Cobolli’s strategic style will just play into his hands.
Jannik Sinner (1) 0.19 vs Ben Shelton (10) 3.6
Jannik Sinner dodged a major bullet yesterday, with Grigor Dimitrov retiring hurt while leading the World No.1 by two sets. The entire thing had a cruel twist of irony to it, as Sinner had sought medical attention midway through the 2nd set. Sinner looked imperious in his first three matches, qualifying for the 4th round after dropping just 17 games. But he looked a bit one-dimensional against the adaptable Bulgarian (who produced one of his best serving displays in recent memory). He had served 14 aces by the time he was forced to retire with a right-pectoral issue (which may have been a direct result of his outrageous serving effort). In any event, Sinner is into his 2nd career Wimbledon quarterfinal after reaching the semis back in 2023. Sinner certainly has what it takes to thrive on these surfaces, claiming his maiden grass-court title in Halle last year. I do think that the whole doping saga has had some psychological impact on him (it can’t be easy when every crowd- Rome excluded- wants you to lose). He was schooled by Dimitrov and needs to reset quickly as he comes up against Ben Shelton.
Ben Shelton broke some new ground for the Shelton clan with yesterday’s four-set win over Sonego, beating his father’s 1994 4th round run to become the most successful member of his family in this tournament. Interestingly, this was the 3rd time that Shelton has eliminated Sonego in a Major this season. Shelton just played some sensational tennis when it mattered, hitting 47 winners to 41 unforced errors. Shelton has developed a reputation as a Grand Slam dark horse, reaching the 2023 US Open semifinals and this year’s Aussie Open semis. He produced a career-best showing at this year’s French Open, reaching the 4th round on courts that don’t necessarily suit his power-based game. And now he is in the Wimbledon quarters for the first time in his career, dropping just that one set in the process. The flamboyant American looks ready to seize the moment, playing some truly awe-inspiring tennis to get this point.
The Verdict: Sinner to win in four at 2.2- Sinner has owned this rivalry, leading the American 5-1 in their head-to-head meetings. He has won their last five meetings, winning in straight sets on these courts last year (he also won in straight sets during this year’s Aussie Open). Sinner is clearly in a slightly more vulnerable place after Dimitrov outclassed him. Still, Sinner understands how to diffuse Shelton’s power and should bounce back here. Sinner was electrifying in the first three rounds, and I expect him to rediscover that form.
