Second-week sneaks: Surprise performers as Wimbledon rounds the turn

You Should Know: The Golden Set

We're arrived at Wimbledon's round of 16, and there are a number of unexpected players who have landed in the second week, from veterans making a resurgence to relative newcomers making their main-draw debut at the tournament.

Here’s a look at several of them that will look to keep pace with the favorites in the days ahead:

Karen Khachanov

After winning the Paris Masters to close 2018, the Russian appeared to be the brightest prospect among his countrymen. But in the years since, both Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev have surpassed Khachanov in the rankings, and he hasn't won a title since. Through the first week at Wimbledon, the 25th seed has shown signs of a resurgence, with his latest win coming quite comfortably against Frances Tiafoe, one of the hottest players on grass this year.

Liudmila Samsonova

The Russian is having a grass-court stretch to remember: She recently won her first career singles title at the German Open after coming through the qualifying rounds, which helped her secure a wild card into Wimbledon. She’s making the most of her opportunity so far, with wins against Jessica Pegula and Sloane Stephens to reach the fourth round in her first main-draw appearance.

Marton Fucsovics

In the second round, Fucsovics only had to play a set and a half of tennis after his opponent, Jiri Vesely, was forced to retire. Bookending that match, though, were victories against 19th seed Jannik Sinner in the opening round, and ninth-seeded Diego Schwartzman in the third. Coming into Wimbledon with a 1-3 record at the tournament, the Hungarian has now reached his fourth career round of 16 at a major.

Christian Garin

Chile’s top male singles player has had most of his success on clay over the course of his burgeoning career, with all five of his titles coming on the slow surface and a fourth-round finish at the French Open last month. Now, after having never won a match at Wimbledon in three other appearances, he’s in the second week of a major once again. The 17th seed survived a five-setter against qualifier Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the first round and has played solid tennis since.

Viktorija Golubic

In 17 Grand Slam main-draw appearances in her career prior to Wimbledon, Golubic had won four total matches. After advancing to the fourth round this week, she’s one win away from equaling that mark. The Swiss veteran started off her campaign with a 11-9 third-set victory over Veronika Kudermetova, the 29th seed, then routed Danielle Collins and Madison Brengle in back-to-back matches to set up a meeting with another American, Madison Keys.