Good morning, Court Theorists! ☕️🌱
Today’s tennis mood: Excited for Eala-Rybakina but wishing for a bit more.
Let’s tennis!
-Allen
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🎾 On tap: Many fan favorites are on the schedule today, but not a ton in the way of compelling matches. So, be sure to watch what’s important to you. The pickings are slim. Or maybe you’re pleased because it won’t compete with your World Cup viewing. You know, either way…
🎾 Musetti out: Lorenzo Musetti is out of Wimbledon this year as he continues to treat the thigh injury that kept him out of Roland-Garros.
What he said: “Rehabilitation is going very well and the medical results are encouraging. Unfortunately, as I have not yet been able to begin a full athletic training program, and after careful evaluation, we have come to the difficult conclusion that I will not be able to participate in Wimbledon this year,” Musetti posted on Instagram on Wednesday. “It is not an easy decision, but it is the right one. My priority is to return to the court at 100%.”
Noteworthy: His withdrawal means compatriot Matteo Berrettini is into the main draw instead of qualifying, which seems fitting given his quarterfinal run at Roland-Garros.
🎾 Evans to qualies: Wimbledon organizers announced on Wednesday that Felix Gill and Harry Wendelken will receive the remaining two Wimbledon main draw wild cards in men’s singles. That’s a bit of a blow to Dan Evans, who recently announced his final two tournaments would be Queen’s Club and Wimbledon — now both of which have put him in qualifying (he lost his first match at Queen’s). As a consolation, Evans was awarded a wild card into the doubles draw with compatriot Henry Searle.
🎾 Coco crash: Coco Gauff kicked off her grass season in Berlin with a less-than-optimal outcome, losing to wild card Paula Badosa in three lopsided sets. That makes it a four-match losing streak on grass for Gauff after going 0-2 last year.
What she said: “She was playing really really hard … It was really difficult. My coach, after the first set, told me he never saw Coco play like this,” Badosa said after the match. “I’m super-happy with the third set, how I managed it, because this year, they weren’t coming to my side.”
Next: Gauff continues in doubles today with Jessica Pegula, and Badosa faces Linda Noskova in the quarterfinals on Friday.
🎾 One to watch: Alexandra Eala vs. Elena Rybakina (2nd round - WTA 500 - Berlin): Watch this one to see Eala’s growth on grass and to see where Rybakina stands after her somewhat shocking loss to Katie Boulter in London last week. These two will go toe-to-toe off the ground, and Eala will need every bit of firepower she had against in defeating a very in-form Donna Vekic yesterday.
The record: Elena Rybakina leads the head-to-head record over Alex Eala 1-0. However, that win came on the red clay of Rome earlier this year.
On the line: All the pressure is on Rybakina, who is number two in the world and a recent Wimbledon champ. After underperforming in recent tournaments, she won’t want another early exit.
🎾 🏆 🎤 YOUR CALL
(Yesterday’s poll results: 57% of you called for Felix Auger-Aliassime to defeat Learner Tien. Auger-Aliassime won 5-7, 7-5, 7-6.)
And that’s game.
