Can you imagine one of these two players winning Wimbledon? (I’ll give you a second to picture each of them holding up the champion’s dish.) The idea is getting less far-fetched by the day, because Cibulkova and Ostapenko are playing better by the day. The Slovakian has been motivated from the start, after she was knocked out of the Top 32 seeds by the late inclusion of Serena Williams. The Latvian, meanwhile, has been motivated to redeem herself after her first-round loss at the French Open. Their quarterfinal meeting on No. 1 Court won’t lack for pace; both of these women smash the ball as hard as they can, as soon as they can. In her last match, Ostapenko was able to dial back the risk factor on her shots just enough; if she can keep doing that, she’ll be hard to beat. But Cibulkova, who is 2-0 against Ostapenko, may not need to dial anything back. Winner: Cibulkova
Like Cibulkova vs. Ostapenko, this will be a slugger’s special on Centre Court. Serena is one of the most powerful players ever, while Giorgi never hesitates to go for it all. That begins with the Italian’s serve, which she was hitting 120 M.P.H. in her win over Ekaterina Makarova on Monday. Giorgi has always had the pop, but this year she has begun to use it a little more consistently. Still, she’s going to need to move up a couple more levels on Tuesday; Serena has won all three of their previous meetings in straight sets. With Giorgi so up and down, and a 36-year-old Serena still finding her form after more than a year away, this match could go in any direction. History says it will eventually go in Serena’s. Winner: S. Williams
