Wimbledon 2018 verdict: Best match, best shot, biggest upset, best newcomer, most missed and more
It's been another memorable fortnight in SW19 - here we take a look back at the best moments from this year's tournament
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The world's greatest tennis tournament is in the books for another year.
Novak Djokovic is men's champion for the fourth time after seeing off Kevin Anderson in three sets on Sunday joining Angelique Kerber, the women's champion, who ended Serena Williams' hopes of a fairytale title on Saturday.
It's been another memorable fortnight in SW19. Here we take a look back at the best moments from this year's tournament.
Best match of the tournament
The men’s singles featured some memorable five-set matches in the closing stages, with none better than Rafael Nadal’s thrilling victory over Juan Martin del Potro. Both men threw themselves around the court, struck the ball with enormous power and hit a succession of memorable winners. Andy Murray, making his debut as a BBC commentator, said: “It was a great match that got better and better. That fifth set is one of the best sets I have ever seen.”
Best shot
Nadal’s through-the-legs lob against Alex de Minaur in the third round. Having run to the back of the court to retrieve De Minaur’s lob, Nadal, with his back to the net, played a “tweener” from behind the baseline. He hit a lob which sailed over De Minaur’s head and landed just inside the baseline for a spectacular winner.
Biggest disappointment
Petra Kvitova’s first-round loss to Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Kvitova, twice a champion at the All England Club, had been installed as the pre-tournament favourite on the basis of her return to form but was weighed down by nerves.
Biggest upset
There were many to choose from, but Marin Cilic’s second-round loss to Argentina’s Guido Pella was one that very few could have foreseen, especially after the Croatian won the first two sets. Cilic, last year’s runner-up, had been one of the favourites to win the title, having been in excellent form going into the tournament.
Best performance
Novak Djokovic’s semi-final victory over Nadal, who had been looking in good shape to win his third Wimbledon title. Playing the whole match under the Centre Court roof probably counted against Nadal, who also paid for failing to take his chances at the end of the third set.
Best British performance
Kyle Edmund went furthest in singles before losing to Novak Djokovic in the third round and Jamie Murray reached the mixed doubles final with Victoria Azarenka, but the most promising performance was that of 16-year-old Jack Draper, who reached the final of the boys’ singles after beating Colombia’s Nicolas Mejia 19-17 in the final set. Draper lost to the No 1 seed, Chun Hsin Tseng, in the final, but at 16 he is a great future prospect.
Best comeback
Kevin Anderson, who had been on the wrong end of the biggest comeback at the French Open when he let slip a two-sets lead against Diego Schwartzman, went two sets down to Roger Federer in the quarter-finals here but recovered to win 13-11 in the final set. Special mention also to Angelique Kerber, who made a spectacular return after her repeated disappointments in 2017.
Best newcomer
As the world No 14, Daria Kasatkina was hardly a newcomer on the world stage, but the 21-year-old Russian was a new face to many Wimbledon fans. A superb shot-maker who hits the ball beautifully on both flanks, finds some lovely angles and hits cunning drop shots, Kasatkinaproduced several memorable performances and pushed Kerber hard in the quarter-finals.
Most missed
Andy Murray made a promising debut as a commentator but he was missed on the court after pulling out of the tournament less than 24 hours before the start, saying he did not feel ready to play a Grand Slam event after making his return from hip surgery. An Andy Murray-free Wimbledon was a very different experience for British fans, who have almost come to take his success at the All England Club for granted.
Best quote
Anderson (after his six-and-a-half-hour victory over John Isner in the semi-finals: “John is such a great guy and I really feel for him. If I’d been on the opposite side I don’t know how you can take that playing for so long and coming out short. I apologise if I’m not more excited right now, but there are so many mixed emotions. Getting through something like that is quite different.”
Most pointless press conference
Venus Williams after her defeat by Kiki Bertens. Question: “Are there any thoughts of what next, whether you'll be back here next year?”
Williams: “No.”
“What does the opportunity to compete here at Wimbledon mean to you?”
Williams: “It’s an opportunity earned.”
“It seems like your fire is still there?”
Williams: “Yeah”.
One for the future
Frances Tiafoe eventually lost to Karen Khachanov in the third round, but the 20-year-old American proved with his victories over Fernando Verdasco and Julien Benneteau that he has a big future ahead of him.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments