Each day during Wimbledon, we'll preview three must-see matches—and give our predictions.
Four years ago, Tomic took a set from Djokovic at Wimbledon, but that’s the last inroad he made on his friend’s game. Djokovic won their two most recent meetings in routine, straight-set fashion. Tomic’s best chance may have come at Indian Wells this spring, but, Bernie being Bernie, he withdrew instead. Tomic likes Wimbledon, and has had success on Centre Court. But the most important fact about this third-round match is that Djokovic hasn’t lost before the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam in six years. Winner: Djokovic
These two flame throwers have met twice, at the French Open and Wimbledon in 2014, and Kyrgios managed to win just one set. He’s better now, and will be more prepared, and Raonic had an ominous amount of trouble closing out 37-year-old Tommy Haas in the last round. There will be serves, there will be a few returns, and there may even be the occasional rally. Tiebreakers will likely decide it. Raonic is still ahead of Kyrgios when it comes to ranking, maturity, and development, but the more athletic Aussie may have the bigger upside in the end. Winner: Kyrgios
Safarova won their only meeting, on fast hard courts in Dubai last year, and she’s the solid favorite here as well. Not only did she reach the semis at Wimbledon in 2014 and the final at the French Open in 2015, she escaped a challenge from Alison Riske, who served for their first-round match. That should help Safarova swing a little more freely going forward. But Stephens has improved steadily this year, and is due for a significant win. Winner: Safarova