SIX matches to watch on Wimbledon’s Manic Monday: Youngest player on the men’s side faces Alexander Zverev, son of a former Grand Slam winner continues surprise title bid and the ‘Tiger’ hoping to roar once more
- Dan Evans’ vanquisher Sebastian Korda faces Russian Karen Khachanov
- Roger Federer plays Lorenzo Sonego just a month before his 40th birthday
- Felix Auger-Aliassime benefited from Nick Kyrgios’ injury to advance
- The hard-hitting Aryna Sabalenka plays fellow east European Elena Rybakina
- Liudmila Samsonova hopes to spring another surprise against Karolina Pliskova
- Madison Keys is happy to be on the grass again and plays Viktorija Golubic
The second week of Wimbledon is upon us and aside from Emma Raducanu mania sweeping across the country, there are a number of other intriguing fourth-round stories to keep an eye on.
Roger Federer has a ninth title at SW19 title in his sights, Karolina Pliskova faces the conqueror of Sloane Stephens and 20-year-olds Felix Auger-Aliassime and Sebastian Korda aim to reach personal uncharted territory at a Grand Slam.
Here’s the lowdown…
Sebastian Korda has reached the fourth round of Wimbledon for the loss of just two sets
Men’s singles
Sebastian Korda v Karen Khachanov (25)
Korda, with the genes of a gifted family, has been in astonishing form at his first Wimbledon.
He has reached the fourth round for the loss of only two sets and has already accounted for a pair of seeds, including Britain’s Dan Evans.
Khachanov is having his best run at Wimbledon but faces a dangerous, unseeded opponent.
Roger Federer suffered a scare against Cameron Norrie in his pursuit of a ninth title at SW19
Roger Federer (6) v Lorenzo Sonego (23)
Federer turns 40 next month so all opportunities should be taken to watch him.
But he got a little lucky when Adrian Mannarino retired hurt going into the fifth set of their first-round match — and he was also pushed hard by Cam Norrie. Clearly not the force of old but still moves brilliantly on a grass court.
Alexander Zverev (4) v Felix Auger-Aliassime (16)
Zverev has the talent to do damage on any surface and is finally sharpening up on grass by equalling his 2017 best run.
He faces a strong, young opponent who plays well on grass, but benefited from Nick Kyrgios’ injury in the previous round.
Felix Auger-Aliassime is the youngest player left in the men’s draw and enjoys playing on grass
Women’s singles
Aryna Sabalenka (2) v Elena Rybakina (18)
Few players, men or women, hit a tennis ball as hard as No 2 seed Sabalenka.
It is a high-risk style of play, however, so the Belarusian, known as ‘The Tiger’ after her impressive arm tattoo, might need more caution against a Moscow-born opponent, who plays under the Kazakhstan flag.
Rybakina is also a big hitter, so Court Three spectators can expect some high-intensity tennis.
The notoriously hard-hitting Aryna Sabalenka may need to tame her approach on Monday
Karolina Pliskova (8) v Liudmila Samsonova
Pliskova is one of the more familiar Czech stars as she prepares for her third consecutive appearance in the fourth round of the women’s singles.
The No 8 seed will start as favourite, but an upset can’t be ruled out in her first-ever match against Samsonova.
The Russian is enjoying a breakthrough season having won the recent Berlin tournament as a qualifier. Her debut run here has justified the world No 65’s wildcard entry.
Madison Keys (23) v Viktorija Golubic
Tipped as a potential champion here, Keys was a quarter-finalist in 2015. Now 26 and out of the world’s top 20, the American is happy to be on the grass again.
She said: ‘My game suits the surface and I have felt more comfortable this year. I think that’s shown in my tennis.’
Swiss ace Golubic has never been this far in a slam but is establishing a reputation as an expert in breaking serve.
Madison Keys is one round away from emulating her best performance at Wimbledon in 2015