Fourth Quarter
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Novak Djokovic is the top player in this draw. The No. 2 seed, who was runner-up last year, has been struggling with physical and mental fitness and form, and this year dismissed the remainder of his coaching staff after terminating the services of former coach Boris Becker at the end of 2016. The Serbian former No. 1 was taken to the cleaners by Dominic Thiem at the quarter-finals of the French Open – where he was defending champion this year, and although he is currently in the semi-finals at Eastbourne, struggled against American Donald Young in the quarters.
Djokovic opens against Martin Klizan of Slovakia, which should be fairly easy for the ace but for the powerful forehand of his rival. If that goes to plan, he should have an easy road in the next round – until he comes up against a likely match against Juan Martin del Potro, whose strong serves and quick movement will enjoy Wimbledon.
Round 4 will also not be easy for Djokovic, who comes up against either of two tough opponents – Feliciano Lopez of Spain or the more difficult, Gael Monfils. The tall big-serving Frenchman, although famously mercurial and prone to highly fluctuating energy levels in a match, is known in large part for his immensely quick court movement.
But Monfils has never progressed beyond Round 3 at the grass court slam – and in his 13 meetings against Djokovic, has never once defeated the Serbian. He should then face Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals – just as he did at Roland Garros, although he will certainly not want the result to go the same way.
That said, for all of Thiem’s clay court prowess, he recently lost to World no. 222 Ramkumar Ramanathan in straight sets in under an hour at the ATP250 Antalya Open and is not in ideal shape on grass. Djokovic, for all his recent struggles, is excellent on grass – and a three-time Wimbledon champion, so if he can find some way to turn on the gas, does not have as difficult a draw as the others.
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