Tennis
The draw for Wimbledon 2021: A tough draw for the Czechs
The Wimbledon tennis main draw has been made and everyone already knows their opponents. There will be several attractive duels in the first round, with the draw favouring some favourites and not others.
The Wimbledon tennis main draw has been made and everyone already knows their opponents. There will be several attractive duels in the first round, with the draw favouring some favourites and not others. Especially the home champion Murray and the legendary Federer will have a tough time at the start. The same applies to the Czech tennis players. Virtually all of them will face a very difficult first round.
Novak Djokovic will defend his title in the men’s event. He will face home hope Draper (250th in the world) in the opening round. The talented Briton shone at the recent tournament in London, where he was able to beat Sinner and also Bublik and showed that he can be dangerous on grass. A tricky opening draw for Djokovic.
The number two favourite will be Stefanos Tsitsipas. The finalist of the recent Rolland Garros will play the American Tiafoe (56th in the world). Not an ideal opponent for Round 1 either. Tiafoe plays best on the faster surfaces and can give the Greek a hard time.
Daniil Medvedev will also want to go very far. The Russian also has a very difficult draw, his opponent will be Struff (45th in the world). The German has already taken on the biggest favourites several times. He even knocked out Rublev at Rolland Garros, so watch out for him.
Alexander Zverev can be added to the big favourites. He will play Griekspoor (124th in the world). The German’s lot is rather favorable and he should easily advance.
Andy Murray will also be competing at his home Grand Slam . The Wimbledon champion from 2013 and 2016 will face Basilashvili (28th in the world). A very tough opponent for the undefeated Brit. Moreover, the Georgian has been in solid form during the season.
Nothing easy awaits the legendary Roger Federer either. The Frenchman reached the semi-finals of the ongoing tournament in Mallorca and the grass surface suits him. It will be an uncomfortable test for the Swiss to begin with.
The only Czech male representative will be Jiri Vesely. He will face Germany’s Hanfmann (99th in the world). A solid draw. There’s definitely a chance to advance to the second round.
What about the women?
This year’s Wimbledon will be without its defending champion. Simona Halep won’t be competing because of a calf injury.
The biggest favourite will be Ashleigh Barty. The Australian will face Suarez-Navarro (138th in the world). Nothing easy. The Spaniard is a former top 10 player. She recently won her battle with cancer and has a great motivation to perform in tournaments. Moreover, this will be the last Wimbledon of her career.
Aryna Sabalenka will also be a contender for the title. She’ll meet Niculescu (193rd in the world) in the first round, the perfect opponent to enter the tournament.
And let’s not forget the ageless Serena Williams. The American will face Sasnovich (100th in the world) in the opening round. Advancing here should be a mere formality for Serena.
We can also include Victoria Azarenka among the favourites. The Belarusian will face Kozlova (158th in the world) in the first round. Here too the favourite should win easily.
Petra Kvitova will definitely be one of the favourites. The 2011 and 2015 champion will face Stephens (69th in the world). A very difficult start at the beginning. Stephens is the US Open champion and her form has been on the rise in recent months. At Rolland Garros, for example, she beat both Muchova and Pliskova.
Karolina Pliskova will play Zidansek (46th in the world). Hell of a draw. The Slovenian reached the semi-finals at Rolland Garros and is in the form of her life. The Czech advancing will be more of a surprise than a liability.
Barbora Krejcikova will face Tausonova (93rd in the world). The Dane is a great talent but lacks experience. The Rolland Garros champion should make it through her first round and move on.
Karolína Muchová will play Zhang (36th in the world) in the 1st round. The Chinese player hasn’t been doing too well lately, so a relatively playable draw.
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