Many would have expected Novak Djokovic to reach Sunday's Wimbledon final but few would have predicted his opponent as he prepares to face eccentric Australian Nick Kyrgios.
Top seed Djokovic is bidding for a seventh title triumph at the All England Club and beating Kyrgios would see him crowned champion in SW19 for a fourth time on the spin.
Victory would see Djokovic move onto 21 Grand Slam titles, one ahead of Swiss legend Roger Federer while helping him bridge the gap on fierce rival Rafael Nadal to just one.
Standing in the Serb's way, however, is Kyrgios, who is bidding to win his first Grand Slam title after receiving a bye to the final courtesy of Nadal's withdrawal through injury.
Djokovic, who defeated home favourite Cameron Norrie in his semi-final, is 1/4 to claim the title again, while underdog Kyrgios is 3/1 to spring a surprise.
| What | 2022 Wimbledon Men's singles final |
| Where | Centre Court, All England Club, Wimbledon, London |
| When | 1pm, Sunday 9th July 2022, 13:00 |
| How to watch | BBC or bet365's Sports Live Streaming |
| Odds | Novak Djokovic 1/4, Nick Kyrgios 3/1 |
Djokovic may have to dig deep
Djokovic is one of the best players ever to grace a grass-court and it would be disappointing if the top seed couldn't find a way to get the job done with the added benefit of experience.
That said, a disrupted season means Djokovic doesn't look as dominant as in previous years and he may have to dig deep for victory.
The former world number one was unable to compete at the Australian Open and was a quarter-final casualty at the French equivalent, so Kyrgios shouldn't write off his chances.
However, despite being below his brilliant best over the past fortnight, Djokovic has repeatedly found a way to win and that desire makes him a formidable opponent.
The 35-year-old has dropped sets in four of his six wins at Wimbledon, winning in four against Soonwoo Kwon, Tim van Rijthoven and against Norrie in the semi, while he was forced to come from two sets down to get the better of Jannik Sinner.
Since 2016, Djokovic has lost only four of his last 47 matches on the grass, which highlights the task the fiery Kyrgios, who has the added pressure of this being the biggest game of his career, is faced with.
Djokovic is fancied to prevail but it may not be plain-sailing and backing the Serb to win and both players to win a set at 5/6 appeals.
Kyrgios' serve is a massive weapon
Ever since making the Wimbledon quarter-final on his All England Club debut in 2014, Kyrgios has been talked up as future Grand Slam champion.
Eight years on and the Australian finally has the chance to live up to that promise, although he could have asked for an easier final opponent than Djokovic.
Before this year, Kyrgios last reached the quarter-final of a Grand Slam in Australia in 2015 which highlights just how much he has underachieved.
The Australian is blessed with so much raw talent but often reaches boiling point and his temperament can be his biggest downfall.
There is no denying that Kyrgios warrants his place here as wins over Stefanos Tsitsipas and Cristian Garin read particularly well.
However, the world number 40 has also been taken to five sets by Paul Jubb and Brandon Nakashima and a lengthy contest may only enhance Djokovic's chances.
The big serve of Kyrgios is a secret weapon and his ability to keep points short is a positive, although Djokovic is one of the best returners ever and could frustrate the Aussie.
Kyrgios does lead the Serb 2-0 in their personal series but both meetings came in a best-of-three contest on a hard court in 2017, so they may not carry much substance.
Underdog can start well
The best way to support Kyrgios, however, could be backing him to win the opening set.
Djokovic had to come from behind against Norrie and Sinner and Kygrios' serve is likely to be at its most devastating early on. You'd fear for the Canberra native were he to lose the opener.
Four of Kygrios' five matches at this year's Wimbledon have featured a tiebreak and it's very possible there will be a tiebreak in the first set on Sunday.
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