The Wimbledon semi-finals have been a classic clash between two different beasts
The Wimbledon semi-finals have been a classic clash between two different beasts. The Wimbledon finals match on Sunday between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios has a lot of factors at play. Djokovic is 6-1 in finals while Kyrgios has an LMSD score of 457. The Australian will need to overcome that to succeed.
Kyrgios and Djokovic have only been playing point to point matches recently, but they’ve acted like brothers the whole time. In an Instagram message earlier this week, Djokovic told Kyrgios that he should see him Sunday at Wimbledon. Given that this was their latest match, it was another episode in the unexpected “bromance” of their season.
Kyrgios tried to mock and antagonize Djokovic from time to time, but then in January, he did a 180 and offered his support during Djokovic’s days of being deported Down Under.
Kyrgios thinks it’s weird that there was no love lost between Djokovic, who he still thought was the enemy. Kyrgios is trying not to let his softening feelings for Djokovic off the court affect his play on it. Kyrgios is 2-0 against Djokovic, both times winning on hard courts in spring 2017.
Kyrgios may be unable to channel his intense play and emotion in a closer match situation. He could end up getting himself into trouble in the finals similar to the ones he had at Wimbledon.
Kyrgios has faced Djokovic seven times, and only won six of the matches. He gives credence to Djokovic’s experience and knows the emotions he feels from his professional experience. Kyrgios admits that difference in emotion leads to a less challenging match for him personally.
Expect Kyrgios to use his athleticism and power to overpower Djokovic, but Djokovic anticipated the aggression and might find a way to win the first set. He did this in his quarterfinal and semifinal wins over Jannick Sinner and Cam Norrie, as well as his last year’s final against Matteo Berrettini.
Kyrgios has the potential to stymie Djokovic with a break early on, but Djokovic isn’t expecting Kyrgios to have difficulties balancing his emotions.
Dimitrov has never played a Grand Slam final before having just lost to Djokovic in the finals of the Australian Open. Despite this, he doesn’t seem to be under pressure much which is a good thing for Dimitrov as he steps into his first Grand Slam final.
With a dominant serve and game, he plays lights-out every time he steps on the court. He’s sure to go for it and be aggressive because there is no doubt that he possesses great power. I expect him to do what he does best throughout this match.
Djokovic will match Kyrgios’ forehand with the return, but it can take a little while until Djokovic begins to get his own footing after Kyrgios returns serve.
Once Djokovic eliminated early nervous errors in the semi-finals and quarter-finals, Norrie and Sinner had no answers. Kyrgios? Can he reach another level of aggression that he can maintain against Djokovic on this stage? With the shot-making talent, but only if he makes it count against Djokovic on a smaller stage.
However, no matter the chaos and fireworks during the match, it’s hard to bet against Novak Djokovic. The winner: Novak Djokovic
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