Wimbledon Tips: Day 8

‘Magic Monday’ gave us everything plus more! We had 4 men’s matches going the distance with Muller causing a boil-over with a 15-13 win in the 5th over two time Wimbledon Champion Rafael Nadal. The two men in cruise control were Federer and Cilic who are both yet to drop a set while Djokovic will play today as his match was scheduled to follow the Nadal match. Day 8 will be all about the women’s quarter finals. Muguruza, Rybarikova and Konta all take winning records into their respective matchups while French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko looks to continue her giant killing run when she faces off against 5 time champ Venus Williams.

Day 8: Feature Previews

Novak Djokovic v Adrian Mannarino

Tomas Berdych awaits the winner and The Wolf says that Djokovic will be in a mad rush to get off the court in this one as the winner will be backing up the following day. The pair failed to take the court due to the Nadal/Muller clash going deep into a 5th set. They met here last year with Djokovic prevailing in straight sets and The Wolf is predicting a much more dominant result. Novak will be in a rush and there will be no stopping him. 

Best: Under 30.5 games ($1.73) 

Garbine Muguruza v Svetlana Kuznetsova

The match between Muguruza and Kerber was the match of the tournament on the women’s side. The level of tennis was incredible with the Spaniard coming back from a set down. She was the aggressor and The Wolf loves the fact that she is looking to approach the net. The Conchita Martinez factor is definitely rubbing off on her and if she can be a little more patient and selective The Wolf says that the sky is the limit for her. She is 3-1 lifetime against Kuznetsova, winning the last 3 meetings and dropping just the single set. Both players have the power to take the game away from their opponent but it is the Spaniard who has the edge in movement and defence. This one will be on Muguruza’s racquet.

Best: Muguruza WIN ($1.67)

Venus Williams v Jelena Ostapenko

Talk about winding the clock back! The Wolf tipped us into Venus at $17 prior to a ball being hit and boy is he happy with what he has seen. The 5 time winner here has gotten better with every match and she has the one weapon that very few women in the history have had – the serve! Ostapenko continues her fairy tale run and it is becoming clear that her French Open victory was no fluke. Her aggressive style of tennis ism perfectly suited to the grass but she has a weak serve and The Wolf says it will be getting exposed here. Her serve has been broken 17 times already compared to just 5 for Venus. It will be the telling factor.

Best: V.Williams -1.5 ($1.85)

Magdalena Rybarikova v Coco Vandeweghe

Pat Cash is proving to be a key figure in Vandeweghe’s corner and she has played some brilliant grass court tennis thus far. She will need to be at the top of her game yet again and will have to overcome the fact that she is 0-2 against Rybarikova. The Slovak is on some run having won multiple tournaments on grass leading into Wimbledon. Vandeweghe has a tendency to miss her first serve far too regularly and if she continues to hover around 50-55% that leaves the door open for her opponent. The Wolf can see this one going the distance.

Best: Over 21.5 games ($1.80)

Johanna Konta v Simona Halep

As we have seen in the past, British players have struggled to cope with the pressure on home soil and The Wolf says Konta’s luck could be running out. She went 10-8 in the 3rd against Vekic and against needed 3 sets to get home against Garcia. Meanwhile, Halep is fighting her own demons and her inability to win that elusive Grand Slam. She is yet to drop a set and put in her best performance of the tournament in the win over Azarenka. Konta has won both meetings but Wolfy cannot shy away from Halep. She has a point to prove!

Best: Halep WIN ($1.91)