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Daniil Medvedev Wimbledon 2021 Djokovic
Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic, Tennis News, Wimbledon

‘Medvedev is the only player who could stop Djokovic’, believes Mats Wilander


Mats Wilander thinks that Daniil Medvedev is the only player who could possibly “foil” world No. 1 and heavy favourite Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Wilander cannot see anyone in the top half of the draw troubling the Serbian en route to the final.

Five-time champion Djokovic has dropped just a single set in beating Jack Draper, Kevin Anderson, Denis Kudla and Cristian Garin to reach the last eight of The Championships.

The 34-year-old will face unseeded Hungarian Marton Fucsovics – who upset fifth Andrey Rublev in the fourth round – in the quarter-finals.

“This year, I don’t see who in Novak’s half of the [draw] could even begin to nibble on that famous confidence. In the other half? I have the impression that everyone can reach the final,” Wilander told L’Equipe.

“Afterwards, I tell myself that the only guy who could perhaps, a little “à la [Miroslav] Mecir”, foil Djokovic, with his consistency and his particular rebounding ball, is Daniil Medvedev. But that remains to be proven.”

No. 2 seed Medvedev came through a tough opener against Jan-Lennard Struff in four sets, before defeating Carlos Alcaraz for the loss of only seven games.

The 25-year-old Russian then recovered from two sets down to defeat Marin Cilic in the third round, and will continue his last 16 clash with Hubert Hurkacz on Tuesday.

The match was suspended due to rain with Medvedev leading 6-2, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 3-4 against the world No. 18.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.