Wimbledon Men's Quarterfinals: Preview

The 2011 edition of Wimbledon has reached its twilight. The “FOURSOME AWESOME” have successfully managed to book their spot in the quarter-finals along with some other surprise quarter-finalists including the Australian qualifier, Bernard Tomic. At 18 years and 255 days, he became the youngest quarter-finalist at the All England Club since Boris Becker in 1986.

RAFAEL NADAL(ESP) [1] vs MARDY FISH(USA) [10]

Rafael Nadal dropped his first set of the tournament against the big serving Argentine, Juan Martin del Potro in his fourth round match. He survived an injury scare to see off JMDP and set up a clash with the tenth seeded American, Mardy Fish. Fish is the lone American in the draw. He dismissed Tomas Berdych in straight sets, 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-4 to ensure there’s no repeat of the 2010 Wimbledon final.

The top seed’s aura of invincibility may appear to have diminished due to the rise of a Serbian power, who handed him defeats at four finals this season. But with the sixth Roland Garros crown in his cabinet and history at stake, something extraordinary is required of the American to stop this “winning machine.”

The head to head record between the two stands at 5-0 in favor of the Spaniard and I don’t see the American reducing the margin. I pick Rafa in three tightly contested sets.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC(SRB) [2] vs BERNARD TOMIC(AUS)

Bernard Tomic has been crowned as the new top ranked player of Australia breaking the decade long stranglehold of Lleyton Hewitt following his straight sets demolition of the World No 42 Xavier Malisse in the fourth round. His victories(except against Igor Andreev) against the top players including Nikolay Davydenko, Robin Soderling and Xavier Malisse have been shockingly straight-forward. With an orthodox playing style featuring a good serve mixed up well with slices and spins, he has the game to pose a considerable threat to the men’s field. He will undergo the litmus test of his young career when he takes on the second seed, Novak Djokovic in his first Slam quarter-final.

Djokovic has been relishing an incredible season so far with 45 wins and just one loss. With his improved fitness, incredible footwork and movement, consistent ground strokes and a great control on his serve, he has been able to reel through all his matches this tournament and is looking better with each match.

Novak Djokovic’s range of shots may prove to be too hot to handle for the Australian. I will go with Nole in three.

ROGER FEDERER(SUI)[3] vs JO-WILFRIED TSONGA(FRA)[12]

The 12th seeded Frenchman, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga looms large over Federer’s way, in his bid to capture a record-equaling seventh Wimbledon trophy. Except some sloppy play in the first set against Mikhail Youzhny in the last round, the Swiss has enjoyed a sublime form in the recent weeks. His serve has been his main weapon. And with every shot in his armor working well, Federer seems to be back to his self-best.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, meanwhile, has managed to battle past the stiff resistance offered by the seventh seeded David Ferrer, Fernando Gonzalez, and Grigor Dimitrov. His game is well suited to grass and with a huge serve and monstrous forehand, he can prove to be a formidable threat for anyone. He came into this tournament with an impressive run at the Queens Club where he dispatched Rafael Nadal, en route his final match-up with Andy Murray.The head to head is at 4-1 in favor of the Swiss and I go with Federer in four.

ANDY MURRAY(GBR)[4] vs FELICIANO LOPEZ(ESP)

The next hurdle between Andy Murray and his maiden Slam trophy lurks in the form of a left handed Spaniard, Feliciano Lopez. Lopez has produced one of the best performances of the tournament to oust the three time finalist, Andy Roddick in the third round. Though he outlasted Kubot in the last round in a four hour epic encounter, the threat he poses cannot be overlooked.

Andy Murray displayed a scintillating form against the Frenchman, Richard Gasquet after seeing off a strong challenge from Ivan Ljubicic in his third round. Though Murray is the overwhelming favorite( and of course, the crowd favorite) to advance to his third consecutive semi-final at the All England Club, the possibility of an upset cannot be ruled out here.

The head to head stands in favor of the Scot, who won all four of their previous encounters. I go with Murray in four.