Wimbledon 2017: Predicting Men's and Women's Finals Before Week 2

There have been a few complaints about the grass-court surface at Wimbledon this year, and that may have taken some of the luster off the world's most prestigious tennis tournament.

The shiny grass courts often lose their sheen as the fortnight progresses, but issues with the slippery surface were heard earlier in the tournament than usual, and that is having an impact on players up and down the draw.

Wimbledon officials would be wise to take the players' comments into account as the second week of the tournament continues, because those complaints have come from players up and down the draw.

When seven-time champion Roger Federer is one of the players who finds issues with the surface, it is time to take it seriously.

"What happens with the grass, in my opinion, like where we stand the most, the grass gets beat up and used, and sometimes it's not attached anymore," Federer said Thursday, per Sandra Harwitt of USA Today. "You know, it's like dead grass. It changes color. And that bit can be slippery.

"Now, is it more this time around? Possibly, because it's been extremely hot today and yesterday. So that's why, maybe. That's what we are hearing [complaints]. It's not a good sign, and you should always take the players' opinion serious."

With the tournament having reached the halfway point, Wimbledon has a chance for a spectacular final week if the players can keep their feet firmly planted. 

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Federer and Rafael Nadal, the top four seeds on the men's sides, are all still alive in the tournament and playing well. 

It is not only conceivable that all four will make the semifinal round of the tournament, it seems quite likely.

Murray was pushed to four sets during his third-round victory over Fabio Fognini Friday, but he came through was a solid rally after trailing in the fourth set to win the match. His toughest opponent prior to reaching the semifinal appears to be 24th-seed Sam Querrey, but that's a match Murray is likely to win.

Querrey's serve will cause problems should both men meet in the quarterfinals, but it would be a shock if Murray doesn't figure him out at some point.

Djokovic has not enjoyed his best year prior to Wimbledon, but he has not lost a set through his first three rounds. He faces a potential challenge against eighth-seeded Dominic Thiem in the quarters, but if he continues to play with consistency, he should make it through.

Federer has earned remarkable support from the Wimbledon fans over the years, and that has continued this year. Federer was pushed to a tiebreaker in the first set by Mischa Zverev in this third-round match Saturday, and he cruised from that point in the match. A tough match with Grigor Dimitrov looms, but Federer appears to be serving extremely well and should advance.

Nadal is also playing well as he is coming off his French Open victory earlier this season. Nadal does not have the same kind of reputation on grass as he does on the red clay of Paris, but he has been playing sharp tennis, and he has won 17 of the 21 points when he has come to the net, according to ESPN. That's an excellent sign for continuing to advance.

The women's side of the draw is more wide-open, and that's the way it should be considering that Serena Williams is absent as a result of her pregnancy.

Older sister Venus Williams is competing, and the 10th seed has played smooth tennis as she made it through the first week.

Top-seeded Angelique Kerber was on the ropes Saturday against American Shelby Rogers, but she rallied to survive and advance by a 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4 margin. Kerber is a very talented player, but she doesn't always display the consistency that tennis fans expect from her.

She may fight back at the most crucial moments, but the lack of consistency could cost her. Second-seeded Simon Halep was unable to take the French Open title, but she has a chance for redemption at Wimbledon.

Halep has not lost a set in her first three matches, and she is playing like she will get to the championship round and possibly win the tournament.

Sixth-seeded Johanna Konta has excellent support from the Wimbledon fans since she is the local hero. Konta has a consistent game and knows how to concentrate on big points, but the bigger hitters could give her trouble in the final week.

Seventh-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova is playing well at Wimbledon after struggling on the grass courts in previous years. The 32-year-old has two Grand Slam titles to her credit, but she is going to have to show that she can play well on grass for a second week in a row.

Predictions

Look for a Murray-Nadal semifinal on the top half of the men's draw and a spectacular Djokovic-Federer semifinal on the bottom half.

Nadal has the game to beat the defending champion, but Murray may find a way to figure out how to beat the Spaniard on grass. Nadal may be playing well this time around, but he is not the same player at Wimbledon that he is in Paris, and Murray will come through to reach the final match.

If Federer is at his best and Djokovic is not, Federer will have an excellent chance to beat his rival and get to the title match. However, the presence of Federer usually brings out the best in Djokovic. I see Djokovic taking charge as the match progresses and beating Federer in four sets, setting up a final against Murray.

Djokovic will use his win over Federer as a springboard, and he will also beat Murray to take the title.

Halep is playing with something to prove, as she is almost certainly the best player in the world without a major championship. She should advance to the championship round this time around.

Kuznetsova will find a way to defeat Kerber, and that victory will propel her to the final against Halep. This time Halep will find a way to celebrate at Centre Court and pick up her first Wimbledon title.