Decisive week at Wimbledon

Rain was the main protagonist of this first week of Wimbledon and the most formidable enemy of all participants, regardless of their rivals. Not knowing what time they play and interrupting matches without knowing the time of return to the court changes all aspects of the tennis player’s preparation: warm-up time, food, concentration and tension, factors that affect the physical and psychological state of the player.

Therefore, at the most traditional tournament in the world of tennis, it is necessary to take care, apart from adapting to the surface, which is not usual, and bad weather, which requires great influence on the mental strength of the player.

The first week of this edition has passed very rainywhich changed the order of play, despite the three fields that can be covered, clearly not enough for a large number of games in the first rounds.

Jessica Bouzas: good experience

One of those affected by the delays was the Galician debutante, Jessica Bouzas. Arousana, coached by Javier Martí, after passing three qualifying rounds, opposed Kalinina much more experienced rival with a good ranking, who is a good experience for jessica on his way up to hang out with the best.

Disappointments: Ruud, Norrie and De Minaur

Absence of Kyrgios at the last minutedue to injury, he was the first disappointment for the fans, since the tournament was left without one of last year’s finalists, as well as a controversial player, but who puts on a show.

Already in competition, Ruud’s early defeatsfourth seed, Alliasime, Fritz, Ćorić, Norrie, Korda and De Minaurwho had just played in the Queen’s final, were let down by some players who were expected to perform better.

Surprises: Safiulin advances in the round

On the contrary, there were plenty of players with performance higher than what was expected of them at the beginning of the competition. Among them is a 25-year-old Russian Roman Safiulin92nd ranked (who reached the quarter-finals and will face Sinner) and Lehecka, Eubanks, Galán or Bublikwho reached the round of 16.

The good news for tennis is the return of BerrettiniCarlos Alcaraz’s next opponent, who won Sonego, De Minaur and Zverev reach the fourth round.

Dimitrov’s good tournament also stands out. The Bulgarian, who was compared to Federer in the early days because of his elegant tennis, never managed to deliver the performance expected of him but remained in good positions in the rankings. On this occasion, he managed to reach the fourth round, successfully defeating a formidable rival like Tiafoe.

Best games: Davidovich-Rune clash

The Greek Tsitsipas starred in the two best matches. First vs. Thiemwho is still trying to get back to the level he was at before the injury, settled in the fifth set.

In the second round, Stefanos played in another great match against the admirable Andy Murraywho, with his age, a period of inactivity and a hip replacement, played remarkably well, forcing Tsitsipas to show his best tennis and defeating him in five sets.

Another very competitive match was the one in the third round Davidovich vs. Rune, two players who have greatly improved their behavior on the court. With the score 5-4 in the fifth set, the native of Malaga had two match points, and in sudden death he had an advantage 6-2 and later 8-5.

With the tie at eight points, the deciding point of the match, the man from Malaga could think of nothing else but the frivolity of serving from the bottom with the Dane on the line, who took advantage of such an unexpected gift win a point and end the match.

Favorites: options for the Alcaraz-Đoković final, untouched

Carlos Alcaraz’s road to the fourth round had it all. He did not play at his best level in any of the three games. WITH more mistakes than usualWith fewer winners and a more tense attitude than usual, the Murcian took the first two games against Chardy and Muller with ease.

He had more problems with Jarry. The Chilean, supported by a great service and an aggressive game, brought difficulties to the Spaniard by winning the set and keeping the feeling of an open result until the last moment.

Carlos is having a hard time adjusting to the grass, and it seems that he is in the center of Wimbledon he is not so comfortableHe does not even express his traditional spontaneity in his attitude and gestures.

On the positive side, it should be noted that, not playing his best tennis, he surrendered only one set in three matches played. Carlos must be aware that the opponents who are now waiting for him until the finish of the final (Berrettini, Rune or Dimitrov and Medvedev or Tsitsipas) will demand another campaign, a better game than the one they have played so far.

On the other side of the court, Djokovic, who had a easy way so farexcept for the Pole Hurkacz, he remains the main favorite. Rublyov, Safiulin or Sinner are surely dreaming of the final, but if they do, it would be a big surprise.

The final week of the tournament begins in London, where fans are still eager to see a the final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. The following days will confirm whether the forecasts are fulfilled.