Novak Djokovic v Nick Kyrgios
Wimbledon, Men’s Singles Final
All England Club, London
Sunday July 10, 2022, 2pm
The irony is not lost on me that after all his problems at the start of the year with Australia, Novak Djokovic is facing an Aussie in Sunday afternoon’s final.
But I’m not so sure the red hot favourite will have the last laugh as he chases a fourth Wimbledon title in a row, his seventh overall.
I’m sat on the fence with Kyrgios in the love him or loathe him debate which has raged in the media.
He is box office, which is why we watch sport. It’s an entertainment business. But I can’t deny that some of his antics have crossed the line this last fortnight.
I felt incredibly sorry for Stefanos Tsitsipas, for example, last weekend when Kyrgios was constantly pecking at the umpire and getting away with it. Then, the first sign of the Greek doing anything untoward, he got a code violation. It was dreadful officiating.
But, take that argument off the table, there is no denying Kyrgios has played some wonderful tennis, so much so that I think he could pinch the win here.
Djokovic is a best price of 1/4 to win and move within one of Rafael Nadal’s all-time record 22 grand slam titles.
But I would be keen to take the 16/5 William Hill have on Kyrgios to win his first title.
Slow out of the blocks Novak could bring home
In his last two matches, Djokovic has lost the first set, and he is 2/1 with bet365 to lose the first set here.
He did so against the Italian Jannik Sinner in the quarter-final and again in yesterday’s semi against Cam Norrie.
Ladbrokes also have 7/5 on Kyrgios to lead at any point in the match.
I would also be interested in the price boost Ladbrokes have an offer - 11/2 on Kyrgios to win the first set and then to go on and win the match.
This one has the look of a final which will go all the way
I’m thinking five sets here, which is 3/1 with bet365.
Between Djokovic and Kyrgios, they have had three five-setters between them during this Wimbledon. Djokovic has had one and Kyrgios has had two.
It would be incorrect to say these two are evenly matched because Djokovic is clearly a class above his opponent. But I do really rate Kyrgios, especially on grass.
That is my first of two bets on this theme.
The second is the 10/1 William Hill have on Kyrgios to win by three sets to two, something he did against Brit Paul Jubb in the first round and then American Brandon Nakashima in the quarter-finals.
* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.