With Marin Cilic out of the tournament, Milos Raonic has arguably become the favorite to meet Roger Federer in the semifinals. They will continue their respective campaigns during fourth-round action on Monday against Adrian Mannarino and Mackenzie McDonald.
(1) Roger Federer vs. (22) Adrian Mannarino
Federer and Mannarino will be going head-to-head for the sixth time in their careers and for the second time at Wimbledon when they collide during fourth-round action on the prestigious second Monday. Their first-ever meeting also came at the All-England Club, where Federer cruised 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in 2011. The 36-year-old Swiss is now a perfect 5-0 lifetime at Mannarino’s expense and 12-1 in total sets. They most recently faced each other on the indoor hard courts of Basel last fall, when the Frenchman snagged a set for the first time but fell 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Borna Coric may have been tipped by many to be Federer’s fourth-round opponent in a rematch of the recent Halle final that the Croat won, but it should come as no surprise to see Mannarino participating in this one. The world No. 26 is through to round four in SW19 for the third time in his career and he has never advanced this far at any other major. A borderline grass-court specialist, Mannarino is coming off a runner-up performance in Antalya and he has advanced this fortnight with wins over Christian Garin, Ryan Harrison, and Daniil Medvedev. Federer has coasted past Dusan Lajovic, Lukas Lacko, and Jan-Lennard Struff, improving to 95-11 for his career at Wimbledon while searching for his ninth title. Mannarino is the kind of consistent, savvy counter-puncher who will force Federer to raise his game, and that is likely what the defending champion will do as the competition level ratchets up in week two.
Pick: Federer in 3 losing 11-14 games
[polldaddy poll=10049484]
[polldaddy poll=10043332]
Mackenzie McDonald vs. (13) Milos Raonic
Raonic has been plagued by bad luck–injuries, to be more specific–since finishing runner-up at Wimbledon to Andy Murray in 2016. This season has been more of the same for the Canadian, but it may all be turning around for him at the All-England Club. Raonic appears to be armed with a clean bill of health after pulling out prior to the Queen’s Club second round due to a shoulder injury and his draw has been extremely kind. The world No. 32 has improved to 23-7 lifetime at Wimbledon following victories over wild card Liam Broady, John Millman, and qualifier Dennis Novak.
Now a shocking fourth-round opponent awaits Raonic on the second Monday. McDonald owned three career ATP-level match wins prior to this fortnight and from out of nowhere he has doubled that total. The 103rd-ranked American beat Ricardas Berankis and Nicolas Jarry before facing Guido Pella instead of Marin Cilic, and he capitalized on that opportunity by hammering the Argentine 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(6) on Friday. Based on experience (McDonald had won just a single Grand Slam match in his career before this tournament) and the surface, this should be mostly one-way traffic for Raonic as long as he is still 100 percent.
Pick: Raonic in 3
[polldaddy poll=10049919]
WWW?
Fed in 3 if he serves well, if he doesn’t, Federer in 4
This should be Fed’s toughest match yet, by far. However, it’s just hard to imagine him dropping even a set to Mannarino the way he’s playing right now, particularly on serve.
I knew that he hadn’t faced a break point through the first 3 rounds, but there is another serve stat that is even more mind-blowing- the dude hasn’t even been taken to DEUCE ON SERVE! Not once! I don’t care who his first three opponents were, that is just insane… It’s no wonder he looks so relaxed out there; he knows he doesn’t have to worry about holding serve at all!
That being said, Mannarino will absolutely be a tougher challenge than the first three opponents faced. I will be shocked if he gets through Mannarino without going to deuce in serve at least once…
I’ll go Fed in 3, with a tiebreak.
yep, that is absurd
Fed would go all the way to final, and losing to Rafa there.
Haha.
Lmao sure
Haha.
Fed in three and Raonic in five
Fed and Raonic in 3.
Fed to the final, loses to whoever’s there.
Huh??
I guess it depends on who’s the whoever! If it’s Rafa or Djoko, I think is 50:50 chances. If it’s Delpo, I think Fed wins 100%.
Crystal ball.Lets just wait and see,I’ve a feeling there might be a big upset or two
I would say 60% against Djoko, 55% against Rafa and 75% against Delpo.
I concur with you. Since fed”s renaissance in 2017 delpo is the only player that has troubled fed consistently in all matches they have played. Somehow I dont know fed struggles against delpo more against any others.
They played mainly on HCs, this is grass we’re talking about. Delpo can’t move as well as Fed on grass, and Fed’s serve more lethal on grass, slices too. At least Rafa and Djoko are better returners of serves and better at retrieving too than Delpo. They also move better than Delpo on any surface.
Ramara, until Fed is taken to deuce on his serve, I can’t take your comment seriously 😂
Yes. Agree about that Benny. Lucky’s comment is more realistic than Ramara’s.
lol, Raonic in 5 Benny! That would be great. Go Mackenzie!
Not gonna lie RC, at first I was gonna pick McDonald. Raonic wasn’t that impressive in beating Dennis Novak last round (dropped serve multiple times and shouldn’t have even won the first set) and McDonald has nothing to lose and has been playing very good grass court tennis for weeks now. But Raonic’s experience and serve have me taking him in a close one. I honestly doubt Raonic gets past the next one though, particularly if it’s Isner.
Fed in three , 76 64 64
Fed in 3. Not sure if Mannario can get him to deuce on serve or take a set. He took a set off Fed once.
Raonic is obvious pick in 3 but sure would like an upset — Big match for Mackie!
I read,Mannarino said “If Fed is Picasso,then i’m the artist”…Well,that’s the problem with lesser players..They like to talk big…Same with Marin who said he wants to replaced Rafa & Roger as No 1…But heh heh…empty talks!
I like Mannarino’s tennis…I like the way he hits the ball..it looks so easy & so light for him…But,Imo Fed still will win in 3…
Are we heading for a Federer v/s Raonic? … http://www.138mph.com/wimbledon-tennis-2018-mens-pre-quarterfinals-preview-and-analysis/
I think we should rather ask a question if Fed is going to break a sweat or not at all? Winning against Manarino on grass is unquestionable and the only way for Fed to lose is to not show up 😀
These dudes have no clue how to play Roger! Mannarino is just another practice session! Sigh!!
This Federer match i pathetic!! Can we have Monfils and/or Gulbis plz!!
This draw is a damn joke!!
Any of the bettors want to take a bet on how long this match will last? Maybe another half an hour?
Goodness, Mannarino is no.26 but he’s worse than Lajovic, Lacko and Struff! He has absolutely no idea how to play against Fed on grass! He doesn’t have a big serve, his strokes lack power, and he’s hitting CC to Fed’s BH most of the times!
I guess Fed even feels embarrassed having to bagel him in so short a time. I think some among the audience may feel bored by this despite admiring Fed’s brilliance!
Oh mine, Fed faces a BP! For the first time this tournament, but quickly erased!
In First set Fed allow mannarino only 5 points. Rout 6-0.
Even fed is so bored he forgets he is playing a match!
First set wrapped up in 19 mins.
For Mannarino, perhaps it’s mission accomplished when he gets a BP against Fed, something Fed’s previous three opponents couldn’t do despite playing better tennis than Mannarino himself.
For goodness sake Mannarino, please at least get some games and not embarrass your no.26 ranking.
A. Mannarino should just retire, this is embarrassing if it continues this way.
At least make it interesting while you lose.
This BH is shankable after all! Hmmmmm!
Nah, Fed is just trying to make it a bit more interesting and watchable.
Lol, Roger of course is playing well but Mannarino is giving Fed too much rhythm. Try to take ball early!
Finally Mannarino gets something on board after saving 4 breakpoints I first game of 2nd set. Won more points in single game vs entire first set.
Mannarino wasn’t ready for that first set. He’s up and running now.
Fed’s in a hurry. Running scared, I imagine.
I heard the CC crowd cheering for Mannarino after he won a point against Fed, normally didn’t happen often unless Fed’s opponent was facing a beat down!
Ladies & Gentlemen, do we now have a match? Lol!!
Roger taken to deuce in his opening service game (first time all tournament) for one of his longest service games of the event….then wins the set in 16 minutes 😂
Sorry I meant his FINAL service game of the set (just looking at tweets for updates right now, I’ve been out of the house and unable to watch it). Also he lost five points all set with three of them lost in the last service game? Jeez…
I was wondering why Mannarino was hitting CC to Fed’s BH all the time and then suddenly he changed direction and hit it DTL for a winner! Perhaps he should do that more often to at least keep Fed guessing a little bit.
Fed to me is only playing at 60 to at best 70% of his capacity or capability or ability whatever you call it and he’s winning points/games so comfortably and it’s R4 against the no.26 player! It’s quite amazing considering the other contenders having to work so hard in their previous few rounds. It’s something like Rafa at FO2017 to me.
I don’t really like Fed’s tennis in the 2nd set. As you say, he is playing at maybe 60%. ROI weak, too many missed opportunities on easy balls.
Anyway, he is calm and confident.
Mannarino maybe is displaying a few of Federer’s weaknesses!
Oh yes. Mannarino will do his best work now. No rhythm for Roger today. Roger wants this over quickly but Mannarino might make it a 5 set ordeal if Fed doesn’t serve lights’ out.
and that’s all the tennis I get today.
Go Nole!
???
Are watching the same match? 😂
Are WE watching…
I wasn’t being serious, Nats. But Mannarino does call himself an artist. Perhaps what he wears is part of it. He is fun to watch and I like him. But he’s not probably not going to win a GS title with his special tennis.
Mannarino is definitely stepping it up now. However, I can’t agree with you, RC, about it being a long match. I just can’t see this match not being straight sets… Mannarino could definitely get a set if he either plays a lights-out tiebreak, or if Fed loses focus really badly. But I really doubt it. Fed is just too great at Wimbledon these days to go 5 with someone like Mannarino.
Yep, Fed about to serve for 2nd set.
Agree. Fed can win this in 3 by just playing at 70% capacity.
I dont want to be bad, but what is Mannarino wearing? Just a plain ordinary T shirt. The shirt looks like something he wen to bed in, lol! Surely, things cant be that bad!
Mannarino has been doing this for years. Legend.
Mannarino doesn’t care about what he wears. His lets his tennis make the statement.
I supposed to be gone! but I can’t stop watching this…
Good luck Adrian. This set going to a tb.
Mannarino is not moving freely since the start of the game he got broken
Yeah the quicker this finishes the better! At least i can see a bit of Gulbis ans Nishi which is way more entertaining!!!
Mannarino has missed some easy 1-2 putaways on serve
What exactly is disturbing Mana? Seems to have developed a problem in the last 2 games of the 2nd set.
Injury apparently
A groin issue
What more can go right for Roger, now he’s playing a cripple! Lol!
Can someone tell me where I can get a live stream off gulbis match
Gulbis is BALLING
Well, it will not surprise me if he goes deep. There is something diff about him here!I like his chances, very much!
Guys like Fed and Rafa are so great at pouncing right when you need to. Because Fed is so solid on serve, he doesn’t have to fret very much if he doesn’t break before the 8th game, and he is so good at upping his game right at the right time and put pressure on Mannarino. And just like that, it’s 2 sets to love.
Rafa is the same- he is so confident that he knows that if he ups his game on return at 5-5 and really puts the pressure on the serving opponent, he will likely break and then serve for the set. That’s why you can bank so much on Fedal almost always getting through the early rounds without any trouble. They just know that they can bet on themselves to turn a set in their favor at the most crucial moments.
Gulbis wins the first set and Nishi asks for MTO – unfortunately I could see it coming. I am still so pissed at Kyrgios! It would have been far more interesting to watch him play Gulbis today!!!
Yeah, me too, Nats. Nishikori is an amazing player when he is healthy, but these days it’s almost a guarantee that he will be hobbled by the early 2nd week. Kyrgios had such a great opportunity to make a run here. But credit to Kei- he is such a great returner and defensive player that he totally neutralized Kyrgios. Kyrgios has admitted before that Kei is the most difficult player for him to face. It’s just a bad matchup for him. So I guess it shouldn’t be that surprising? He has never beaten Kei. I just thought that because it’s on grass, and because Kei’s body is still not right, that Kyrgios should win it relatively easily… Boy was I wrong!
This is the problem with Nishi. He can’t stay healthy. I agree that it would have been much better to see Kyrgios against Gulbis. A wasted opportunity by Kyrgios.
Really? Nah, good riddance to Kyrios! Rafa does not need to face him, sorry! Esp when Rafa has Delpo and Novak to face!
I was not talking about what was good for Rafa. I was simply saying that Gulbis and Kyrgios would have been the better match.
I am very aware of the possible opponents facing Rafa. But it’s one match at a time.
Nick-Ernie would have been unreal.
Nick is unreal even when he’s alone on the court!
Mannarino is still competing. That’s always nice to see. Too many dudes just lose all hope once they go down 2 sets to love against Big 4.
he always does. Underrated player.
Fed is having a little problem with the lefty sliding serve ro his backhand
Did u hear Roger say ‘fu#$ing’? Gosh man!! Really Roger?!!
Yep!
Holy crapoli! Mannarino has break point to serve for the set!!
NID that he didn’t take it
Haha, ain’t that the truth, Ricky!
#NID
Well at least Mannarino didn’t go away after losing the second set, and he managed two BPs against Fed. Didn’t lose too badly after being bageled in the first set and at least pushed the match to 1 hr 45 mins, longest so far for Fed this tournament.
Only saw set 3. Fed’s first serve went missing near the end and they were huge faults too. Think there’s some serving practice sessions ahead.
Or maybe some rest for his arm.
Don’t think it was out of tiredness. Think it was more out of his toss or just nerves. But yeah, his serve snaps back quite fast.
was Mannarino moving 100 percent in the third?
Raonic looking better and better now. I think I spoke too soon about him losing in the quarters. He rolled past Mackie outside of that third set.
Raonic-Isner would obviously be straight 50-50
51-49 Isner. He smoked Tsitsipas. Won in straights, easy call, NID, Isner to the semis #KnockOnWood