Complete Wimbledon fourth-round picks

A two-team panel weighs in with its predictions for the entire fourth round on Monday at Wimbledon:

(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (13) Tommy Haas

Ricky: Djokovic made three unforced errors against Jeremy Chardy according to the stats, and possibly even fewer than 10 according to real life. Bad draw for an on-fire Haas. Djokovic in 3.

Steen (Tennis East Coast): Djokovic is in fine form and though Haas could damage him, I don’t see it happening this time. Djokovic in 4.

(7) Tomas Berdych vs. Bernard Tomic

Ricky: Tomic can actually win big matches when he is inspired, especially when those matches are on grass. Shoulder issue could be factor for Berdych. Tomic in 5.

Steen: Happy to see Bernie make a deep run and my heart says pick him, but I’ll go with my head and take the favorite. Berdych in 5.

(4) David Ferrer vs. Ivan Dodig

Ricky: Dodig has been the beneficiary of good fortune so far this fortnight. Getting Ferrer as his Top 4 seed is also lucky, but it’s a major step up in competition at the same time. Ferrer in 3.

Steen: Ferrer hasn’t had the easiest time and Dodig is underrated and will test him, but regardless it won’t be enough. Ferrer in 4.

(7) Juan Martin Del Potro vs. (23) Andreas Seppi

Ricky: Speaking of steps up in competition, Del Potro is a whole different beast than Kei Nishikori. Delpo is beatable on grass, but this is man vs. boy in terms of firepower. Del Potro in 3.

Steen: Del Potro has beaten Seppi three times and hasn’t had any slip-ups in his first three matches. Should be straightforward. Del Potro in 3.

Lukasz Kubot vs. Adrian Mannarino

Ricky: Kubot’s all-court game is special to watch–no joke–when it is clicking. He should be able to frustrate another Frenchman for a second consecutive round. Kubot in 4.

Steen: Tough to call and great battle of styles; a lot will come down to the serve and volley qualities. I’ll go with the underachieving talent and take the Frenchman. Mannarino in 4.

(24) Jerzy Janowicz vs. Jurgen Melzer

Ricky: With Janowicz playing this big and this well right now, clay is probably the only thing that could save Melzer. And the grass in 2013 is not playing like clay. Janowicz in 4.

Steen: JJ was masterful against Nicolas Almagro and if he keeps that up, even a tenacious Melzer won’t be able to beat him. Janowicz in 4.

Fernando Verdasco vs. Kenny De Schepper

Ricky: De Schepper beat two clay-courters and got a walkover. Verdasco in the fourth round is also a great draw, but it’s still too tough an ask for a relative unknown. Verdasco in 4.

Steen: De Schepper is a talented player with a good future ahead who hits heavy, but Verdasco has more experience and is striking the ball well. Expect tiebreaks. Verdasco in 4.

(2) Andy Murray vs. (20) Mikhail Youzhny

Ricky: Youzhny would test–if not beat–anyone else left in the draw other than Murray or Djokovic. Unfortunately for the Russian, Murray is playing too well and is too confident at the moment. Murray in 3.

Steen: Don’t think Murray has much to worry about here. He has looked the best on grass of anyone thus far. Murray in 3.

1 Comment on Complete Wimbledon fourth-round picks

  1. Lots of intriguing match ups at W today, and one of them will be an epic 5 setter, I hope! Especiallly want to see Jersey Boy Janowicz!

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