Potential Early-Round Matchups with the Most Intrigue at Wimbledon 2015
Wimbledon is finally here, and the next two weeks are sure to be action-packed and dripping with excitement as the best tennis players in the world fight for the sport's most hallowed championship.
Both the men's and women's draws are loaded and should deliver plenty of memorable moments as the title hopefuls scrap to make it to the finish line.
Before the final week of play begins, however, there are a number of potential matches that could have fans salivating. At the All England Club, you don't have to wait long before the drama unfolds.
Here is a look at a few of the top showdowns to look forward to. Each one brings its own intrigue, but they all could have a critical impact on the tournament's fate.
Roger Federer vs. Jack Sock (Third Round)
1 of 7
Head-to-head: Federer leads 1-0
In one corner, you'd have a blossoming talent and the new hope for U.S. men's tennis. And in the other? The most hallowed champion in ATP history at his main fortress.
Federer and Sock colliding would make for quite the third-round spectacle.
They've played only once before—a 6-3, 6-2 win for Federer at Indian Wells this spring—but their games are both perfectly molded for the grass.
The Swiss legend's credentials at the All England Club are already well-chronicled. But Sock, 22, is also a champion at Wimbledon, and his skill set makes him a tricky opponent.
Sock boasts one of the most ferociously nasty forehands you'll see. Along with his powerful first serve and touch at net, he has the tools to disrupt Federer's timing and produce a highly entertaining match.
Though Federer would be the heavy favorite (and rightfully so) if Sock advances that far, the young American could be poised to put some early pressure on the world No. 2.
Timea Bacsinszky vs. Sabine Lisicki (Third Round)
2 of 7
Head-to-head: Bacsinszky leads 2-1
It's so stunning to watch the transformation Sabine Lisicki undergoes at Wimbledon every June.
For most of the year, she struggles to put together her array of skills on clay or hard courts. When she steps on grass? Look out.
The German is another player entirely on the lawns. Besides her runner-up finish in 2013, "Boom Boom" Lisicki has a semifinal and three quarterfinal berths under her belt. All told, she's a whopping 23-6 at the All England Club.
Her smoldering serves and flat strokes make her an intimidating presence on the surface. But she'll need to harness those shots quickly to take down a fast-improving Timea Bacsinszky.
Knocking on the door of the top 10, Bacsinszky has soared to a 32-7 record in 2015, with titles in Acapulco and Monterrey. The Swiss made her first Grand Slam semifinal at the French Open last month, taking Serena Williams to three sets before her run ended.
While Bacinszky had never reached the third round at Wimbledon before, she's been reborn this season. The 26-year-old, once on the brink of quitting the sport, has redefined her career.
Her journey is nothing short of inspiring. Here's to hoping it will continue long enough to deliver a high-quality contest against Lisicki. Their potential showdown could alter that quarter of the draw—and beyond.
Andy Murray vs. Borna Coric (Third Round)
3 of 7
Head-to-head: Tied 1-1
Andy Murray is primed for a serious run at his second Wimbledon crown, but he may have to navigate past a teenage prodigy first.
Blocking Murray’s path to the fourth round could be Borna Coric, an 18-year-old who was named the 2014 ATP Star of Tomorrow. And the two already have a history—on and off the court.
Coric throttled a frazzled Murray in Dubai earlier this season, sending the Scot to a comprehensive 6-1, 6-3 loss. The sizable age gap between them seemed nonexistent that day as error after error flowed from the Murray side.
Prior to that meeting, Coric had boasted about his own talents, telling The Times of India’s Susan Ninan: “When I'm at my best, I am more like Djokovic game-wise. When I'm not, I'm more like Murray.”
Well, at least we know Coric isn’t lacking in swagger.
You can bet that passive-aggressive jab still aggravates the competitive Murray, who’ll be eager to make the youngster eat some crow. Coric will have to fight past Sergiy Stakhovsky and Andreas Seppi to even reach that point (no small task), but he would be an intriguing sparring partner for the title hopeful.
Any lingering bad blood would only add extra fuel to this potential clash.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Eugenie Bouchard vs. Madison Keys (Third Round)
4 of 7
Head-to-head: Keys leads 1-0
Both Madison Keys and Eugenie Bouchard have been showered with praise and hailed as the next big things on the WTA Tour. But they couldn't be headed in more opposite directions.
Bouchard has fallen back down to Earth after her sizzling run to the Wimbledon final last year. Actually, that may be putting it lightly. She's come unraveled in 2015, suffering first-round losses at seven tournaments and putting together a paltry 8-13 record. How quickly things change.
In contrast, Keys is in the midst of her own breakout season, hitting her way into the Australian Open semifinals earlier this year. Her trajectory remains firmly on the rise and should continue that way on grass, which will only accentuate her powerful game. The 20-year-old American certainly has the goods to be a top force for years to come.
She seems poised to make a serious run at Wimbledon, especially with Lindsay Davenport in her coaching box. Keys, however, is still going through some growing pains on the court.
Bouchard knows that feeling all too well. But maybe she's ready to finally step out of this nadir. Her opening matches (on paper at least) don't seem too challenging. Then again, she's been wildly inconsistent lately. If she can rekindle some of the fire she exhibited in 2014, Bouchard can earn back some good vibes to set up a battle with a fellow young star.
Milos Raonic vs. Nick Kyrgios (Third Round)
5 of 7
Head-to-head: Raonic leads 2-0
Milos Raonic and Nick Kyrgios love to bombard opponents with awe-inspiring power. That simple recipe has them both on the path to greatness.
But their personalities are drastically different
Raonic is quiet and humble, renowned for his professionalism and tireless work ethic. And then there’s Kyrgios, who’s the Mr. Hyde to Raonic’s Dr. Jekyll.
The brash and outspoken young Aussie favors style with his flashy haircuts and bling. He’s been in the news for the wrong reasons lately, stating he doesn’t love tennis but rather basketball. Though Kyrgios has since (unsurprisingly) backtracked from those comments, they only highlight his wayward personality.
Still, his talent is undeniable and carried him to a seismic win over Rafael Nadal at last year’s Wimbledon. Raonic ended that run in their thrilling quarterfinal match, but another showdown between the two would provide plenty of fireworks.
Both players have already advanced to the second round, bringing their potential collision one step closer to fruition. Get your popcorn ready.
Serena Williams vs. Venus Williams (Fourth Round)
6 of 7
Head-to-head: Serena leads 14-11
They're the most famous siblings in tennis history. And they could once again be headed for another family showdown at the All England Club.
Serena Williams and Venus Williams are now in their third decade in the spotlight, dazzling fans over the years with their brilliance and sustained dominance. But the final chapters in their incredible careers are being written. Not many more chances remain for them to square off in singles play.
How fitting it would be for them to treat fans to some throwback magic.
Combined, they've captured nine singles (and five doubles) titles at Wimbledon during their reign of dominance. The Williams sisters may hail from California, yet England has always been their kingdom.
Serena, 33, shows no signs of slowing down despite her age. In fact, she's cranked things up a notch in 2015, with a calendar Grand Slam a realistic possibility.
Venus, 35, is on the other end of the spectrum. She's made only one major quarterfinal (2015 Australian Open) in the past five seasons. Despite that decline, the grass still treats her very well—just look at the double bagel she served up in her opening match.
They've met five previous times (including four finals) at Wimbledon, with Serena holding the 3-2 edge. A sixth meeting may soon be on the agenda.
Kei Nishikori vs. Marin Cilic (Fourth Round)
7 of 7
Head-to-head: Nishikori leads 5-3
They met in one of the most unexpected major finals ever last year, teasing audiences with a glimmer at a reality without the Big Four.
Marin Cilic overcame Kei Nishikori in three dominant sets during their U.S. Open tussle, but their journeys there were paved with several coming-of-age wins. They had finally made good on their immense potential that night, establishing themselves as legitimate contenders.
All three of their Grand Slam meetings have come there in Flushing Meadows, so a duel at Wimbledon would offer a welcome changeup in their rivalry. Both players have a somewhat checkered past at the All England Club, though, with Cilic’s quarterfinal berth in 2014 the only time either one has advanced that far.
Nishikori recently suffered a calf injury in Halle and required five taxing sets just to survive his first-round opponent, Simone Bolelli. But he found a way and gained such much-needed confidence on the lawns.
Cilic, who had played only 19 matches this season entering Wimbledon, cruised past his opening opponent in straight sets. He appears to have shaken off any rust from the shoulder injury that sidelined him earlier this year.
The tall Croatian will likely have to overcome John Isner's big serves to set up a rendezvous with Nishikori. If he does, the contrast in their styles—Nishikori's finesse and guile against Cilic's brute force—would offer a blockbuster end to the tournament's early stages.
All statistics are courtesy of ATPWorldTour.com and WTATennis.com unless otherwise noted.
Joe Kennard is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
