Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic could not have asked for a better “Manic Monday” at Wimbledon. Both all-time greats cruised through their fourth-round matches and they appear to be set up especially well for their respective quarterfinal collisions.
Nadal won his fourth consecutive straight-set affair without requiring a single tiebreaker–or even being pushed to 5-5 in any set–when he defeated Jiri Vesely 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. The world No. 1 and two-time Wimbledon champion endured one hiccup on serve in the third set but otherwise coasted across the finish line in one hour and 52 minutes. Nadal finished with an impressive 37 winners compared to only 12 unforced errors.
“It is an important victory, with my first quarterfinal (at the All-England Club) since 2011,” the Spaniard noted. “They have been a very positive four matches for me so far.”
Nadal’s quarterfinal opponent has not yet been determined, because Juan Martin Del Potro vs. Gilles Simon was the only match that did not get completed on Monday. Del Potro took the first two sets against the Frenchman in tiebreakers and dropped the third 7-5 before play was halted due to darkness.
Nadal press conference:
Djokovic, meanwhile, had no trouble disposing of Karen Khachanov 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and 46 minutes. The 21st-ranked Serb broke Khachanov a whopping seven times while striking 29 winners to just 12 errors.
“I’m really happy with the way I played tonight,” Djokovic said. “I managed to win in straight sets against a player in form. I was really pleased with my second and third set; really, really pleased. I made him play a lot. I served accurately, picking my spots, not really forcing the serve too much, (and) trying to get easier first shots in the rally. Just overall, I felt good in these difficult conditions.”
Next up Djokovic is Kei Nishikori, who outlasted Ernests Gulbis 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(10), 6-1 in match that saw both players struggle physically and call for medical timeouts. Nishikori showed signs of a lingering right-elbow issue during the second set before he recovered for his comeback victory.
“I like my chances in the match against Nishikori,” the former world No. 1 assessed. “I played very well at Queen’s coming into Wimbledon. So far, four matches have been really, really good for me. I haven’t spent too much time on the court. I feel physically, mentally ready, fit, (and) positive. Now the matches are only going to get tougher. I’ve been in this position and situation before many times. I don’t want to look ahead too much. I’m just focusing on Nishikori for now.”
Day 7 hot shots:
[polldaddy poll=10051625]
nice performance, Nole
Djokovic might go all the way
thought that was possible even before the tourney
Nope, there’s still a Rafa around.
Djoko vs Kei – battle of the wounded elbow!
You mean “nope” as in “No, Djokovic cannot go all the way”? I beg to differ… No, Djokovic should not be favored over Rafa or Fed, but he is a 12-time major champ who has beaten Fed, Rafa, and Del Po at Wimbledon, and is starting to look better, so of course he CAN win it all!
Del Po wins in 4! Rafa vs. Del Po QF tomorrow! Hopefully for Del Po’s sake he didn’t expend too much energy today.
Delpo beats Simon in four sets (fourth set is another TB) and so he’ll be meeting Rafa in the QF.
This will be very, very interesting, but I think that Rafa has a good chance to win this – although he might possibly lose his first set at this year’s Wimby.
So far the tourney has been ideal for Rafa because opponents as well as the conditions allowed him to settle in nicely after a long clay season and get into a grass groove. We will now find out, if it is enough against more formidable opponents. The good news is that Rafa didn’t exactly spend unnecessary energy in his first four matches. And Rafa has been a better grass court player than Delpo – and maybe, he still is – even after a seven-year period of early disappointments.
Rafa has a better all round game than Delpo; he will use his guile, court craft, experience, tactical brain, footspeed, varieties, everything necessary to beat Delpo.