King of Queens Lopez Is Ready To Win Wimbledon

[scoop]

About a decade ago I said on the old Tennisweek.com message board that Feliciano Lopez could win Wimbledon. It was as if I said, “Sargis Sargisian could win the US Open.”

But Lopez looks on track right now to actually be a top contender at Wimbledon at age 35. The 32-ranked Spaniard has been on fire for the last month, winning nine of ten matches on grass court, including today’s epic 46 76 76 win against Marin Cilic for the prestigious Queens Club title.

This week Lopez had a highly difficult draw, as he overcame Wawrinka, Berdych, Dimitrov, Chardy and Cilic, the same Cilic who routed Lopez in the round of 32 at Roland Garros 61 63 63.

The lefthander from Toledo, Spain was elated with his good fortune. “It’s the best week of my career, I would say,” Lopez told the press after capturing his seventh career ATP singles title and third on grass. “To win this tournament at this stage of my career, this is so amazing. I was waiting so long to win this title. Queen’s is the best. Outside of the Grand Slams, this is one of the most special tournaments. You feel the atmosphere here, all over the years, a tradition that this tournament, the players that have won in the past. For me to be here on Sunday holding the trophy, it’s the best feeling I can have.”

“Beating four players who have been in the Top 10 is pretty amazing,” Lopez added. “The fact that I have played these guys this week and was able to beat them, it gives me even more confidence. Because sometimes the draw becomes open after some of the top guys lose, but in my case, it was not like this. From the very beginning I had the best players in the draw. So that gives me a lot of energy for the rest of the season.”

The only loss Lopez has suffered on grass this year was last week in the final in Germany, losing 6-4 in the third in the final to champion Lucas Pouille.

Aside from top favorite Roger Federer, Feliciano Lopez is arguably the second favorite to win the Wimbledon title because of the superb form and career high confidence level he is in at this moment.

– Scoop Malinowski

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

I don't know if it's safe to call Lopez the second favourite on grounds of only a title win at a 500 event. But yes, at least he won along with Roger while others didn't. So, going into Wimbledon it should be considered.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

Yep, he's playing Very Well.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Duke Carnoustie writes:

No disrespect but we have to pump the brakes. Win Wimbledon? Feli plays well on grass but that's a bit much. We know he can beat guys and we know he can beat Chardy and Berdych. Let's see him do it in best-of-5 conditions. I'll be impressed if he gets to the QFs.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Dan Markowitz writes:

I still think Sardis had a better chance of winning US Open the F Lo does of winning Wimby. Q Ball won Queens too, but I wouldn't call him a favorite to win Wimby unless it turns out Fed, Nadal, Murray and Djoko aren't playing.

 

[El Dude]

Great week for Lopez, but there's about a dozen or more players who have a better chance of winning Wimbledon than he does - including three or four of the players that he beat last week. In his current form I might give him the edge over a declining Berdych, but I wouldn't bet on him over Cilic, Dimitrov, or Stan.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Shivashish; It was not safe to predict Ostapenko would win Roland Garros either before the tournament started. Lopez has a better shot to win Wimbledon than Ostapenko did in Paris. It's just a matter of how the draw plays out for Lopez and if he can keep building his momentum and sustaining this level of excellent grass court play. I believe he can do it.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Duke; No way is Lopez about to pump the breaks. He's going to hit another gear now. He now can taste the victory in three weeks. A lot of Queens winners have won Wimbledon. Not sure of the exact figure but it's a LOT.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

If Querrey won Queens I'd say he's a favorite. I just think Lopez is underrated and underappreciated. And fully capable of pulling off a Pennetta or Andres Gomez or Wawrinka.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

I like Flopez chances for the second week. It would be great to have a "new" finalist like Flopez or Dimitrov.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

catherine writes:

Dimitrov's chances of reaching a Wimbledon final are on a par with mine

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Jimmy the Gent writes:

FLopez may have peaked too soon and may crash out 1st round at wimby. and his BH is still suspect - though would like to see him in the second week..

 

[Carol]

Even that Feli played (most the serve) so well this last tournament he is not ready to win Wimbledon, this GS is very diferent starting with the grass, it's to 3 sets and every single player trying to play their best. Hope to see a better Muzz and others

 

[Moxie]

Andrew Miller writes:

I like Flopez chances for the second week. It would be great to have a "new" finalist like Flopez or Dimitrov.

Second week is a reasonable hope for Feli. And I like you calling attention to him, Scoop. I don't give him much chance for the big win, but I agree he's being under-appreciated going in. He's fit, confident, and he's definitely a player that is helped by more maturity and calm. I doubt anyone is going to want to face him the first week.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Also believe Lopez is the iron man of tennis with the most consecutive appearances in majors. I don't think Lopez has ever missed a major ever in his career - will have to check. He's never or rarely is injured.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Kozlov and Sandgren win at W qualies today but Opelka lost to RRam 7676.