Elena Vesnina defeated Ekaterina Makarova for the 1st time in her career and made it to the quarter-final of a Big Slam tournament for the 1st time also, making it a double achievement and one she can be very proud of. Her future opponent Dominica Cibulkova had a tough tie-break against Agniezska Radwanska (9:7). In both of these matches Vesnina and Cibulkova played some really good tennis and showed what they’re capable of. It definitely a surprise to see Vesnina make it through the previous round, and having lost the first set she looked destined to be on the place home. However, she fought bravely and outplayed here opponent in the two remaining sets. I had anticipated that she would be too nervous at the end, but she was as cold as ice. That concentration can help Vesnina to win at least one set against Cibulkova.
The style of Vesnina’s game is, and indeed has been at this tournament, versatile: she made very good net approaches, played both drop-shots and cut shots, changed the tempo. These are all excellent tactics on the grass. And I have to admit that Cibulkova can be tired as she’d played a lot of games already. She had a tournament in Eastbourne just before Wimbledon. Vesnina is certainly rested more and will be high on confidence. From a betting angle the Ukrainian is definitely worth taking to win at least one set.
See all of Anna’s Wimbledon tips here.