By Matthew Marolf
Perhaps she is, but that outcome is anything but certain. Serena has only played 16 matches in 2019 as she’s battled injuries. She appears healthy now, though she’s still lacking match play, and not as quick around the court at the age of 37. While the other seven women remaining only combine for one Major singles title, they include some considerable grass court threats.
Serena Williams (11) vs. Alison Riske
In what many referred to as the “quarter of death,” the draw has actually opened up quite nicely for Serena. Ash Barty, Angelique Kerber, and Garbine Muguruza all went out early, and Serena won’t have to defeat a top 16 seed to reach the final. Her form has drastically improved as this fortnight has progressed, easily taking her last two matches in straight sets.
Her 29-year-old countrywoman is into her first Major quarterfinal, compared to Serena’s tally of 51. This is Riske’s 30th appearance in a Slam singles draw, and 21 of those times she went out in the first round. Of Ali’s 19 Major match wins, 11 have come at Wimbledon. She arrived at SW19 with a lot of confidence, having won a grass court title in s-Hertogenbosch last month.
Riske has needed four three-setters to reach this stage, three times coming back from a set down. Her upset on Monday over world No.1 Ash Barty was most impressive, but coming back just 24 hours after the best win of your career to play the GOAT on Centre Court will be a tremendous challenge. But if she emotionally recovers and isn’t overwhelmed by the occasion, Riske has the grass court tools to push Serena. However, in their first career meeting, Serena is the favorite to advance to her 37th Major semi-final.
Simona Halep (7) vs. Shuai Zhang
Zhang was 0-5 at The Championships prior to this year, but has now matched her best result at a Major, as she was a surprise quarterfinalist in Australia three years ago. She upset two seeded players named Caroline, in Garcia and Wozniacki, to get here. And the 30-year-old from China holds a 2-1 edge over Halep, having claimed both of their last two matches on hard courts.
As Rennae Stubbs highlighted on ESPN in the US, Shuai can aggressively attack Simona’s weak second serves with her great backhand. But Halep obviously has a lot more experience in a match of this significance, and took apart her last two opponents, Victoria Azarenka and Coco Gauff. This could be an extended affair, but I like Simona’s chances to reach her first Wimbledon semi-final since 2014.
Elina Svitolina (8) vs. Karolina Muchova
What an effort by Muchova to upset one of the tournament favourites yesterday in Karolina Pliskova. The third seed twice served for the match, but the 22-year-old survived and was able to break right before the final set tiebreak would have occurred, taking the match 13-11 in the third. But after the equivalent of four gruelling sets of combat, it’s hard to imagine Muchova having much left today in her first Slam quarterfinal. And despite a prolonged first set on Monday against Petra Martic, Svitolina pulled away in the second, and should be fully fresh on Tuesday.
The eighth seed took their only previous meeting earlier this year in Doha. However, the biggest factor here will likely be Elina’s nerves. The 2018 WTA Finals champion is now into her fifth quarterfinal at a Major, but is yet to win one. And she’s suffered some heart-breaking losses in this round, most notably to Halep at the 2017 French Open where she gave up a huge lead and even held a match point. She’ll be a huge favourite here against an unproven and exhausted opponent, though that will only create more pressure for Svitolina. And grass has been Elina’s worst surface in her career, as she actually had a losing record at The All England Club ahead of this year. While I expect Svitolina will make this a complicated affair, I do think she’ll finally breakthrough to her first Slam semi-final over an exhausted opponent.
Johanna Konta (19) vs. Barbora Strycova
Johanna Konta is back. The British No.1 struggled to win matches following her first Major semi-final here two years ago. But Jo is now into her second consecutive Slam semi-final after impressive comeback victories over both Sloane Stephens and Petra Kvitova. Her opponent is a veteran 33-year-old who came into this tournament with just as many wins as losses on the season.
But after completing the Bertens/Mertens back-to-back upset combo, Strycova is into her second Slam quarterfinal, equalling her result here from five years ago. Barbora has admitted this could be her last Wimbledon, and if so, what a way to go out. And while she will be the underdog today, she is 1-0 versus Konta, having caught Jo during her post-Wimbledon 2017 slump. As challenging as Strycova’s game can be on a grass court, Konta should make her way to her second Wimbledon semi-final in three years.
Other notable matches on Day 8:
In the second round of mixed doubles on Centre Court, Andy Murray and Serena Williams vs. Fabrice Martin and Raquel Atawo (14).
In the quarterfinals of gentlemen’s doubles on No.1 Court, Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo (1) vs. Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin (11).
In the quarterfinals of ladies’ doubles on No.2 Court, Timea Babos and Kiki Mladenovic (1) vs. Nicole Melichar and Kveta Peshke (7).
