Damien Kayat previews Carlos Alcaraz Garfia vs Holger Rune and Daniil Medvedev vs Christopher Eubanks in selected Quarterfinals of the Wimbledon Championships, on the 12th of July 2023.
2023 ATP Tour
Grand Slam Tennis
Wimbledon Championships
All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club
Selected Quarter-finals – 12th June
Carlos Alcaraz Garfia 26/100 | Holger Rune 29/10
This looks like a clash that could define men’s tennis over the next decade. 20-year-old World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz is a man on a mission this year. He has won five titles but will be desperate to add to his 2022 US Open crown.
He was forced to miss the Aussie Open due to injury and then he experienced debilitating cramps during his French Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic. The Spaniard plays a high-octane brand of tennis that is perfectly suited to grass-court tennis- which is clearly evident in his current nine-match winning streak.
He won his maiden grass-court title at Queens and he just reached his maiden Wimbledon quarterfinal with victory over 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini. He dropped the first set against Berrettini but then switched gears expertly, diffusing the big-serving Italian’s power and constantly creating opportunities on return.
He is playing some sensational tennis and he will be hugely fancied to reach the final four.
20-year-old Danish sensation Holger Rune continues to defy expectations. He was supposed to just plow away on his beloved clay for the next few seasons while he became acclimatized to other surfaces.
But his brilliant form on the hardcourts towards the end of last year proved that he was far more than just a passing clay fad. He- alongside Alcaraz- represents the future of this sport. He has reached three finals this year (winning in Munich). He also reached his 2nd successive French Open quarterfinal.
And now he has extended his reach into grass-court action. Fresh off a semi-final run in Queens, he has reached his maiden Wimbledon quarterfinal in just his 2nd attempt.
He held off a resurgent Grigor Dimitrov in a high-quality 4th round match (he actually came from a set and a break down to defeat the Bulgarian). It marks his 37th victory of the year and his 2nd successive Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance.
Verdict: Alcaraz to win in three
These two currently split the head-to-head record with one win apiece. Alcaraz won their NextGen Finals clash in 2021 while Rune got revenge with victory in Paris last year. Rune was seriously impressive against Dimitrov and has to respected in this match.
But Alcaraz was sensational in those final three sets against Berrettini. His unreal athleticism and shot-making range make him one of the most exciting young players I have ever seen. And I think he has harnessed that French Open heartache and is feeding off of it.
Daniil Medvedev 19/100 | Christopher Eubanks 15/4
I said that Daniil Medvedev was perhaps the biggest question mark going into this year’s championships. Wimbledon was the only Slam in which he hadn’t reached the quarterfinal stage.
However, the Russian has been in unbelievable form this season with five titles to his name (including an ATP 1000 title on clay). But the somewhat cranky Russian seems to have built on final runs in Rosmalen and Halle last season, looking more and more comfortable on the grass with every passing match.
His 4th round win over Jiri Lehecka- who had to retire after trailing by two sets- took Medvedev to his 45th win of the season (a tour-leading figure). The 2021 US Open champion has sometimes struggled with mobility on these surfaces.
The baseline-hugging Russian has also been a bit loathe to approach the net in previous editions. He is still stuck to the baseline but it would appear that his movement is more positive. He is also serving magnificently and he will be dreaming of a 4th Grand Slam final.
Christopher Eubanks is a bit of a change of pace from Medvedev. The exuberant American is the shot of adrenalin that the men’s draw has needed. The likes of Djokovic and Medvedev are really defined by a certain self-seriousness.
Eubanks has drawn confidence from rapturous support and has been the breakout star in the men’s draw. The late bloomer has come a long way in just over a month. After bowing out of the 2nd round of the Surbiton Trophy, Eubanks sent Kim Clijsters a message decrying grass as the ‘stupidest’ surface.
The Belgian offered him some sage advice, telling him to work on footwork drills in his Wimbledon prep. And what advice it has been. His come-from-behind win over Stefanos Tsitsipas extended his current win-streak to nine matches.
He won his maiden ATP title in Mallorca and now he has reached his maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal. He has hit a tournament leading 85 aces thus far and will use that as the bedrock for a semi-final push.
Verdict: Medvedev to win in four
Medvedev leads the head-to-head 1-0, beating Eubanks in straight-sets at this year’s Miami Open. This is going to be awkward for Medvedev. Eubanks is far more comfortable coming to the net and has shown brilliant touch throughout the tournament.
But I just think this will be a step too far for Eubanks. Medvedev has spent less time on court and will feel refreshed for this encounter. He has better depth of shot and will pass Eubanks with regularity.
