Wednesday 6 July 2016

Wimbledon 2016 : Men's quarter finals preview and predictions

(image courtesy : i.telegraph.co.uk)

We are into the business end of the tournament as we await the men's quarter finals later in the day. Starting with 128 contenders, we are down to just 8 men. We have had many surprises along the way, the most consequential being the fall of the two time defending champion Novak Djokovic, which leaves the tournament wide open for the 8 remaining players to step up and grab this golden opportunity. Each of the players have made the quarters on the back of some wonderful performances and none of them are going to make it easy for their respective opponents to book a semi final berth. The outcomes are far from certain, but I will try and predict the results of the mouth watering clashes today.


[28] SAM QUERREY VS [6] MILOS RAONIC

(image courtesy : img.vavel.com)

Coming off from the most famous win of his career, when he defeated Djokovic in the 3rd round, 'Sam the slayer' brushed aside Nicolas Mahut in the 4th round in straight sets, proving that beating Djokovic was not just a fluke. He faces Raonic in the quarters, who had comfortable victories in the first 3 rounds, but had to come down from 2-sets to love down against David Goffin to prevail in 5 sets. This will be a battle of big servers, so expect short rallies and tie breakers in this one. Even though Sam has had a dream Wimbledon so far, the Canadian will end his run with his slightly better all-court game.

PREDICTION : MILOS RAONIC 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-4


[3] ROGER FEDERER VS [9] MARIN CILIC

Coming off an injury-plagued clay court swing, Federer came into Wimbledon amidst rumours that he might withdraw. Thankfully he played and hasn't looked in any trouble at all. He has won all the 12 sets he has played so far and is moving better with every passing match. One notable fact is also that he hasn't played any opponent so far who is capable of giving him a stern test. Cilic has had a similar story. Dropping just one set in the first 3 rounds, he got a free pass to the quarters when Nishikori retired mid match against him. But both of them are more than decent players to raise their game in important matches. If Cilic plays the way he did in the 2014 US Open, when he beat Federer in straight sets in the semi finals and went on to lift the title, even the great Roger Federer will have a hard time stopping him from a win. But since that US Open, I haven't really seen Cilic unleash that kind of brutality till now. So I think Federer will play a master class which Cilic won't be able to match


PREDICTION : ROGER FEDERER 6-4, 6-1, 6-3


edit : that prediction went horribly wrong, but at least Federer won! what a comeback by the maestro!


[10] TOMAS BERDYCH VS [32] LUCAS POUILLE

Both these guys have come off 5 setters in their respective 4th round matches and now face each other to book a semi final berth. Tomas Berdych is the over whelming favourite in this clash, but Pouille has beaten the likes of Del Potro and Tomic en route to the quarters, which says a lot about the ability of the 22 year old Frenchman. A Pouille win would be nothing less than an upset and crazier things have happened in this edition which none of us would have predicted. But I think the Czech veteran will hardly be troubled as he makes it once more to a last 4 finish.

PREDICTION : TOMAS BERDYCH 6-4, 7-5, 6-2


[12] JO-WILFRIED TSONGA VS [2] ANDY MURRAY

(image courtesy : www.tisque.com)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is always a threat to anyone on any surface. His journey so far has been a roller coaster ride. He overcame John Isner in a marathon 5 setter ending 19-17 in the fifth in the third round, and would have been a relieved man as Gasquet retired in the first set in their 4th round encounter. In stark contrast, Murray has had a smooth run, winning all 12 sets he has played, none of which has even gone to a tie breaker. This was expected as he has been in red-hot form this season and grass is a surface he is very comfortable in. Can Tsonga topple the world number 2? I do not think so. Their head to head is tilted heavily in Murray's favour (12-3) and I think it will continue with the same trend. But I somehow feel that Tsonga will not go without some fireworks and take a set off Murray, nothing more.

PREDICTION : ANDY MURRAY 5-7, 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-3

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