London: Wimbledon will see some feverish action in the men’s singles on Monday following Sunday’s traditional no-action day as two of the favourites — Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer — will resume their campaigns hoping to take it all the way to the end of the second week.
Termed ‘Manic Monday’ by traditionalists, the day after the rest day sees all big guns step onto the court for fourth-round action with Djokovic starting the proceedings at the Centre court against 17th seed Cristian Garin of Chile.
Roger Federer will meet Italian Lorenzo Sonego in another match on the same court.
Djokovic, the 2019champion, is gunning for his sixth title at the All England Club while Federer is hoping to win his first title here, after 2017. Federer has won eight titles at Wimbledon and is hoping to win a record-extending 21st Grand Slam.
Djokovic had scored comfortable straight-set victories in the last two rounds after being taken to four sets by British wildcard Jack Draper in the opening round. The Serb is not expected to face much trouble against his fourth-round opponent from Chile. However, Garin, ranked 20th in the world, may not be a pushover and may make Djokovic work hard for his victory.
Federer, on the other hand, has beaten Sonego in their only previous encounter at Roland Garros in 2019. But the Italian is a tough nut to crack despite making it to the fourth round for the first time at Wimbledon.
Federer, however, has shown glimpses of getting back his form after making a slow start against Adrian Mannarino of France in the opening round. Though he was taken to four sets again in the third round, this time by British wildcard Cameron Norrie, he did not look in much trouble.
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev of Germany will be hoping to seal his maiden entry into the quarter-finals here. The 2020 US Open finalist will take on Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, who reached the fourth round after Australia’s Nick Kyrgios pulled out with an injury. The 18th seeded Canadian would be a tough opponent for Zverev, who has normally struggled on the grass courts of the All England Club.
Second seed Daniil Medvedev, who subdued Croatian Marin Cilic in an absorbing five-setter on Saturday, has an easier opponent in 14th seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland and should take his appointed place in the quarter-finals quite easily.
However, the spectre of an upset always hangs on the Russian’s head as he had not progressed beyond the third round in three appearances at Wimbledon. Though Medvedev looks in good form as he had finished runner-up at the Australian Open and reached quarters at Roland Garros, Hurkacz is doing well here and has not dropped a set in three matches.