The Grandstand’s Ricky Dimon and Steen Kirby of Tennis East Coast preview and pick the four men’s fourth-round showdowns on Monday at Wimbledon. Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are among those looking for spots in the quarterfinals.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (14) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Ricky: Don’t be fooled by Tsonga’s relatively decent 5-12 lifetime record in the head-to-head series; he was once 4-1 and 5-2 against Djokovic and the Frenchman has now lost 10 in a row. Djokovic has won 15 consecutive sets against Tsonga, including eight straight without even going to a tiebreaker. They just faced each other at the French Open, where the world No. 2 dominated 6-1, 6-4, 6-1. Things will be more competitive on grass, but not by much. Djokovic has cruised so far this fortnight, whereas Tsonga survived each of his first two Wimbledon matches in five sets. Djokovic 6-4, 7-6, 6-3.
Steen: I really don’t see too much to this match. Djokovic dismantled Tsonga at the French Open and he hasn’t been too troubled at Wimbledon besides a nasty fall against Gilles Simon in round three. Tsonga has been pushed a full five sets twice–against Jurgen Melzer and Sam Querrey–and has shown more holes in his game. Djokovic has been dominating the head-to-head and he is 2-0 against the Frenchman on grass, so the No. 1 seed in straight sets is my pick. Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
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Jeremy Chardy vs. (26) Marin Cilic
Ricky: Cilic has now reached the Wimbledon fourth round three times, he is also a two-time finalist (one-time champion) at Queen’s Club, and he is 33-12 this season. You could see his win over Tomas Berdych coming (well, at least some of us could!), and it came. Cilic showed more emotion than he ever does in what was his biggest win since a four-month suspension during the second half of last year. He is looking inspired and there is certainly no reason for anyone already on the bandwagon to get off of it now. That being said, Chardy cannot be entirely discounted; the Frenchman has a similarly big-hitting game that can work well on grass. Cilic 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.
Steen: Chardy has reached the second week of a slam for the third time in his career, but he will now be an underdog against Cilic, who upset Berdych in the previous round and has had a strong season overall. Cilic hasn’t been perfect this fortnight and Chardy might be able to snatch a set, but the Croat is clearly a superior player and should power his way through to the quarterfinals. Cilic 7-5, 6-4, 7-6.
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(3) Andy Murray vs. (20) Kevin Anderson
Ricky: Only Roger Federer rivaled Murray in first-week dominance. The defending champion beat David Goffin 6-1, 6-4, 7-5, Blaz Rola 6-1, 6-1, 6-0, and Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. Anderson, on the other hand, is coming off a five-set defeat of Fabio Fognini. The South African has done well to reach the last 16, but going five with Fognini on grass is not particularly encouraging. At least Anderson does not have to go up against arch-nemesis Berdych, but he is still running into an opponent who is looking like a man on a mission. Murray 6-2, 6-4, 7-6.
Steen: The 2012 Olympic and 2013 Wimbledon champion has a long winning streak on the grass courts of the All-England Club and after not dropping a set in the first week and he looks poised to continue that streak against Anderson. The South African yet again has reached the second week of a slam, but he usually falters at this stage. Fognini and Edouard Roger-Vasselin gave Anderson decent tests. Given how comfortable Murray has looked, I like him to get through in straight sets. Murray 7-6, 6-4, 7-5.
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(11) Grigor Dimitrov vs. Leonardo Mayer
Ricky: Heading into this season, the one real knock on Dimitrov was failing at Grand Slams. He lost early again at the French Open, but he can still take heart from a quarterfinal run at the Australian Open. The Bulgarian is now in the second week of a major once again, growing accustomed to such a situation. Additional confidence can be gained by the fact that he is an awesome 33-9 this year. Mayer is playing well, but his surprise appearance in the last 16 has to be attributed in part to David Ferrer’s unexpected ouster from that section of the draw. Dimitrov 7-5, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2.
Steen: Mayer has to be shocked to have reached this stage at Wimbledon. The Argentine, normally at his best on clay, has posted three quality wins to reach the second week. Now, though, he runs into a much stronger opponent in Dimitrov, who survived a five-setter against Alexandr Dolgopolov in round three and appears to have a great chance at the quarterfinals or better. The Bulgarian has rebounded from his Roland Garros struggles and is playing this slam like he did in Australia. I don’t see Mayer having the kind of game to trouble Dimitrov, so the favorite should advance comfortably. Dimitrov 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.
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Nole in 4!
Cilic in 3!
Dimi in 3!
Muz in 3!
Agree with your picks, Abhirf. Nole in 3 or 4 depending on what Tsonga does
Yes.. A whole lot does depends on Tsonga. I think Tsonga’s game on grass is good to at least win a set against Nole.
Normally I might think that Tsonga could take a set off Novak. But I think Novak will win in three sets.
Cilic should win in three sets.
Dimitrov in three sets.
Murray in three sets.
Fed’s and Rafa’s reaction about the prospect of playing on consecutve days :
Federer’s reaction: “I might not play on Monday now. I don’t know what the situation is. You can’t choose, always. It is what it is and you have to adapt to it.”
Nadal’s reaction: ” If I will be playing on Tuesday and the winner will be playing again on Wednesday, that’s not good. That’s not a positive thing.”
and fed added :
“I guess Stan’s section and Isner’s section, they have to play three straight days now. There could be 15 sets right there, long sets. You don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s a bit of the unknown. I mean, these guys are all fit enough to handle it, but it can have an impact, no doubt,”
And rafa’s complete statement is :
“If I will be playing on Tuesday and the winner will be playing again on Wednesday, that’s not good. That’s not a positive thing. But it cannot be perfect.”
@vamosrafa,
thanks for their complete statements.
Someone posted that comment on a thread on tennis.com
So I just shared it here.
yeah…that poster must have copy pasted it from some article and articles often give limited information.
Jpacnw posted the whole answer below 🙂
Here’s Rafa’s complete answer and the question:
Q. There’s a lot of rain today. A lot of matches not being played. How important is it for you that you did get to play, that you’re finished, that you’re through into the next round when maybe your opponent and other players won’t be?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, always is positive that. In one way is very positive to have that work already done. In another point, I don’t know how Wimbledon going to react after a day like today, if they are not able to play more matches because tomorrow is Sunday and the tradition is here nobody plays on Sunday.
But is true that, for example, if my opponents are not playing tomorrow, they are playing on Monday, I will be playing on Tuesday, and the winner will be playing again on Wednesday. That’s not good. That’s not a positive thing.
In one way is positive that I already done. For sure my opponents are in a worse position. But again, cannot be perfect.
thanks JP ! abhirf’s comment had rafa’s statement posted out of context ..
@jpacnw
could you please help me with Fed’s presser and post it here..
Jpacnw, could you please share the links to fed’s and rafa’s whole pressers? The official website has not posted them yet
Here’s Rafa’s:
http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=100563
Here’s Roger’s:
http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=100566
Sorry for the delay. It’s almost midnight where I live. Just getting ready to catch a few hours sleep before I get up to watch the matches.
^^ By the way, the website I posted is a great place to find complete interviews. They’re archived and you can find them by date and by player.
thank you so much ! 🙂 🙂 catch some sleep !
Thanks @JP 🙂
Thanks, that’s worth knowing. I have made a not of it.
Q. What has your group’s longevity at the top shown?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, that you can play well every week almost, you know. Not so many letdowns. I came through the ranks where it was normal for top guys to have a bad slam, have maybe two bad slams from time to time, some first‑round losses here and there. It barely ever happens anymore. It’s like such a shock when it does happen.
So I think I’ve been surprised how consistent I’ve been personally. But even more so by everybody else who is just like normal to get to quarters, get to semis. Because I know how small the margins are, I know how tough it is to do. For everybody to follow suit and do it some even almost better than me, has been the most impressive thing about these group of guys.
” I came through the ranks where it was normal for top guys to have a bad slam, have maybe two bad slams from time to time, some first‑round losses here and there. It barely ever happens anymore. It’s like such a shock when it does happen. ”
Good to hear from Federer himself that the earlier ‘group’ of players he faced were inconsistent and could not replicate the high level of tennis the ‘current group’ of players have been displaying.
We are well aware of the Big 4’s (esp Nadal, Fed,Djo) dominance in slams:
* Since 2008, 24 of the 26 slams have gone the Big 4’s way
*Since federer won his first slam , 39 of 44 slams have gone the Big 4’s way
Let’s take a look at what this group has been doing at masters 1000 events (a great indicator of consistency)
-Together, nadal-djokovic-Murray-federer have won : 27+19+9+21=76 masters 1000
….Rafa’s chief rivals have won = 49 Masters 1000 titles in their careers
-Together, hewitt, Roddick, Safin, nalbandian, Ljubicic won/have won : 2+5+5+2+1= 15 masters 1000 titles. That is 4 less than djokovic’s tally of 19 !!!!!!
Damn, hewitt has won TWO masters 1000 in his entire career :O
Anyway…I am extremely shocked whenever a Fed fan claims that the ‘weak era’ thing is a myth. I am pretty certain the numbers above are not a myth and so are many other facts ! The group of competitors fed faced in his heyday (apart from rafa on clay) were pretty incompetent in many regards when compared to this genius lot that has ruled men’s tennis like emperors.
#Insane
#GoldenPeriod
I think hawkeye will like this post lol
And again you ended up comparing the 2 periods. Every era will be weak compared to this one. That should mean that Tennis has been weak since it’s inception till 2010.
#HowManyTimes
LOL..what is that supposed to mean? :S you can find some other eras where the top ‘group’ has posted ridiculous numbers and have constituted a golden period. However, no one should be surprised if any other era is seen as ‘weak’ in comparison to this golden era ! The Big 4 is ridiculous.
And again, I am not comparing a period from Laver’s era to a period in the modern game ! I am comparing two periods within about a decades time and the difference is crystal clear.
I repeat: that earlier era might not be ‘weak’ if you look at it in isolation but it certainly is MUCH MUCH WEAKER than the current era (which is slowly coming to an end).
And I am not comparing two periods. I am comparing the top players of two periods. In this case, hewitt, roddick,safin,nalby combined fail to even match djokovic’s achievements ! And mind you, djokovic is quite some distance behind the two giants -Roger and Rafa
“That should mean that Tennis has been weak since it’s inception till 2010.”
Not at all. There have been other pretty strong eras but when compared to this era, almost all eras can seem weak !
I don’t think one needs stats to claim that Nole is better than Hewitt, Roddick et al.
I just don’t understand why is there a need to compare the 2 periods when we know the quality of the Big 4.
vamosrafa says:
June 30, 2014 at 9:50 am
“That should mean that Tennis has been weak since it’s inception till 2010.”
Not at all. There have been other pretty strong eras but when compared to this era, almost all eras can seem weak !
Isn’t it the same thing that I pointed out in my 9:33 am post.
haha…why is there a need to say all this? come on !
the reason is that a big majority of federer fans (not targeting you at all) claim that the competition fed faced was pretty strong ! I have seen federer fans saying that the competition he faced was no less competent ! secondly, the main reason I have posted all these numbers is to HIGHLIGHT that it was easier to dominate the game in the absurd fashion that federer did. Federer was like a monster in his prime but obvious weakness of the competition is an equal contributor to numbers such as : 237 consecutive weeks as no.1 , winning literally all non-clay slams. The claim of fed fans that ‘fed was so good that he made the field look so inferior when in fact the field was very strong’ is only partially true. The field was pretty weak (relatively of course).
what I want to highlight: DONT just say federer is the greatest just because he has the numbers backing him (such as the weeks at no.1, slam count ). They mean QUITE A LOT but always factor in the circumstances because they play a HUGE role. The typical fed fan logic (not targeting you ) ‘ fed > rafa because 17>14 and 302 weeks at no.1 > 140 weeks at no.1> is quite absurd and narrow-minded if you consider the strength of the competition.
I hope I have made my reasons clear…
@vamosrafa,
In the past 5-6 years I still haven’t seen the evidence that Roger wouldn’t have won those titles had these same players played back during 2003-2007. The most I can think of is having 1 less AO title and maybe 1 or 2 masters title.
I still see Rafa only as a major threat to Fed and Rafa played in that period too.
abhirf, if you still have not seen the evidence then I think you don’t want to see the evidence !
Only less AO title? lol……you can even have that ! If a 35 year old agassi with an aching back pushed federer to the limit in the USO 2005 final, then why can’t a 2011 djokovic beat that federer in hard court slams ? Fed’s prime on hard courts > djokovic’s prime on hard courts BUT,djokovic would probably hold an edge on the slow courts of AO more often.He has beaten federer in straight sets twice.
And how conveniently you said that Rafa played in that era ….haha…as if you don’t know that rafa was just a ‘kid’ who was learning to master other surfaces. he was the master of clay and dominated federer right from the beginning but it happened from 2008 onward that rafa started excelling on all surfaces. you cannot blame rafa for that as federer needed time to start playing well on his least fav surface, i.e clay…novak needed time on grass. Federer definitely benefited from rafa being a kid who was just the master of clay.The day rafa beat him at wimbledon , I remember the talks that ‘fed is past his prime ‘ statements had already started even though federer was 27 years old ! Rafa is 28 now and on top form he is thrashing everyone.
You would never like to admit but the truth is that Rafa would have enjoyed the same dominance in slams at least and a reign at no.1 had he been in that era. Vintage Rafa would dominate roddick, hewitt, nalby,safin ,ljubicic year in year out.
ANother thing is that federer had the luxury of maturing in an environment when there was no established player. Rafa always had the giant of federer ever since he stepped into tennis. Federer only started winning when he was 22/23.
The whole purpose was to introduce some LOGIC and justify why there is a dire need to get out of the walls created by mere statistics. The 17>14 conclusion with ignorance to circumstances is quite a big joke
abhirf,
No, you are wrong. In the 60’s there was also a Golden Age of tennis. With players like Laver, Emerson, Rosewall, Gonzales, Roche, Newcombe, there wasn’t a bad one in the bunch. I grew up watching all of them. That’s why I think that Laver is so great. Because he had to play the best of the best.
I also think that maybe an argument can be made that the 70’s were also a kind of Golden Age. There was Borg, McEnroe, Connors and others. I think Lendl started near the end of the 70’s.
Hewitt and Safin were the only decent players in their era.
@vamosrafa,
Rafa’s definitely not in his top form thrashing everyone. Look at his results this season. He’s not the Rafa of say 2008 or even 2010.
And yes, if Nole and Muzz struggle continuously to put off a 30+ Fed when they are at their best, I can’t see any evidence how they would have stopped Fed in his haydays!
And not Fed’s fault that Rafa peaked on grass and hard courts too late when he already was a grand slam champion.
And Rafa’s titles tally would have been affected too if prime Muzz and Nole played back then which you conveniently denied.
This was what caught my my in Fed’s interview:
On the court, you know, play tough and fair. Don’t have to be the nicest guy always. I know we get along well. In the locker room it’s important to get along, all that stuff, because then the tour is going to be more friendly, it’s going to be nicer to hang around.
But on the court you can be tough, you know, and believe in your chances, stretch the rules if you have to.
S.t r e t c h the rules if you have to??? Really Fed?
nadline (at 9:19 am),
So, Fed is STRETCHING the rules intentionally! That’s WHY he’s thinking that other players do the same!
I am still laughing that Fed’s sentence “stretch the rules if you have to” can be used whenever he or his fans accuse Rafa! 😆
Fed is always moaning that Rafa stretches the rules by taking too much time between points, so what is Fed saying, that everybody can stretch the rules except Rafa?
Well, if ever there was evidence needed that he is now a senile ol’ so-and-so…………..
This thing caught my eye about Fed’s interview:
..”So I think I’ve been surprised how consistent I’ve been personally. But even more so by everybody else who is just like normal to get to quarters, get to semis. Because I know how small the margins are, I know how tough it is to do. For everybody to follow suit and do it SOME EVEN ALMOST BETTER THAN ME, has been the most impressive thing about these group of guys” hehehehehe, Smaugian slip there I’d say.. normally the sentence would be “even better than me” but heaven forbid that someone would do things better than his ego instantly adds the “almost”.. just to let things be clear 🙂
^^^:D 😀 😀
sorry, meant to write Smuggian and not Smaugian although the latter goes well with my pseudo and I could also expand about the similarities 😉
Murray looking great, as does Cilic. What do the two of you think about Lopez vs the lone American, John Isner?
Woot, Rafa smacking down Fed! I love me this Rafa!!!
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Rafael-Nadal-responds-to-Roger-Federer-I-am-tired-of-always-hearing-the-same-things-articolo18838.html
“It hasn’t been a week of love between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon. First, it was Roger who pointed out how the Spaniard should commit to the 20 seconds rule for tennis’ sake (read here what Roger had to say). Federer’s accusation came right after Lukas Rosol complained about the World No.1’s excessive use of time between the points (read here what Rosol said, including a hint of how Nadal ‘luckily’ won the match).
What did Rafael have to say about all of that? Here is the World No.1’s response:
“It comes a time when this little song gets everyone tired. There is an umpire, let’s let him take those decisions, that’s what he is there for. People should stop coming to press conferences always repeating the same things” said Rafael to the journalists at the end of the first week of competition in London.
“I asked how things were going for our sport in terms of interest and participation, and I have been replied that tennis was growing more and more despite a worldwide economical recession. I would say tennis fans have become more numerous, rather than less. Obviously, when Federer talks is Federer talking, but right now it’s me saying this. Everybody would just turn things around and make them sound the way it better suits their position. Also, I don’t think I am the only one violating the rule. Novak Djokovic too has been warned many times. Actually I think he has been told off many more times than I did” finally continued Nadal.”
PLEASE, PLEASE RAFA: Tell Fed who’s boss, on court, on Friday!!!
I especially like this bit, “………but right now it’s me saying this.” i.e. Fed can talk, and I can too…………..
Whoa!!!!
rafaisthebest (at 12:45 pm),
—First, it was Roger who pointed out how the Spaniard should commit to the 20 seconds rule for tennis’ sake. Federer’s accusation came right after Lukas Rosol complained about the World No.1′s excessive use of time between the points—
For tennis’ sake?! Really ?! If Fed was worried about TENNIS, then he shouldn’t be worried about spectators at RAFA’s matches! Rafa has drawn and continues to draw big crowds to the stadiums! Fed & Rosol should be worrying about LACK of spectators at Rosol’s matches instead.
What is Fed ACTUALLY worried about?
https://twitter.com/augustazeight/status/483614368425603072/photo/1
ROFL.
aeRosol owes Rafa a debt of gratitude for his day out in the sun at Wimbledon.
Love this! thanks for posting. I like this new Rafa! Plus how many times has Rafa yelled at a crowd to shut up or broken a racket on court? 0 (zero). Roger? People have such short memories when it comes to Roger showing poor sportmanship.
Well, I for one am glad Rafa suffered the inconvenience of having his match postponed to tomorrow. It would either have been the fangled roof or waiting for the outside courts to dry:
RT @SI_Tennis : “20-30 more minutes of rain expected but continued showers expected for the rest of the day.”
Hopefully the weathermen get their act together and give us the CORRECT forecast for tomorrow!
Well, This is one of the gems Rosol left for his legacy: “I double faulted right on the set point of the second set, in a moment when there was a lot of wind. Rafa was playing very well, but if I were to go 2-0 things would have been different. On a score of 1-1 the match is still completely open”.
… this Rosol really needs some counselling.. how can you say your opponent is lucky because you make a double-fault instead of assuming your error …. you might as well say that you’re opponent was lucky because you made a lot of UEs or because your backhand isn’t as good as it should be….
^^Well, I for one hopes and prays Lady Luck continues smiling on Rafa all the way to the final!
Bring on lucky 15th!
^^^^^
As far as I am concerned, Rosol choked in a crucial moment and that’s entirely on him. If he can’t handle it, then too bad. He reminds me of Gulbis with his comments about Rafa. Let me say that there was no luck involved in Rafa’s win over him. That was just pure great tennis and good strategy and smarts. Too bad Rosol can’t handle the truth!
I love it when Rafa puts Fed in his place. He speaks more eloquently in Spanish. Love it.
The best place to put him in his place is in the court.. I hope they get to meet and that Rafa wins!
Isner has fired 45 aces so far and is two sets down to Feli
Poor Fed, was never good at hiding his anxieties. I bet you the first thing he does on match-days is to check on Rafa’s progress. He is one scare-dy cat alright. Look for the rhetoric to ratchet up as the anticipated semi match-up draws closer…….
Isner out
Giant number 2 sent packing.
52 aces and 75 % 1st in and still loses …
I do confess to being apprehensive about this kid playing Rafa tomorrow, I always am when Rafa plays big servers even though he has a very good record against them.
Muzza currently handling big-serving Anderson very well……………….
I think Rafa will show him who’s boss. Remember Thiem at RG? everyone was fretting that he would take a set from Rafa…Well Rafa beat him soundly. Same goes for tomorrow.
Lajovic also had high hopes against Rafa.
Anderson is a poor man’s version of Berdy. Big serve with lots of errors.
Muzza is just sublime out there…………
The Muzza match is not living up to the hype IMO. It’s a bit of a ping pong match for me.
Wow, well done Cilic! Nice to see him do well with his talent, I had given up on him…..
https://twitter.com/Wimbledon/status/483631565327835137/photo/1
He’s (Cilic) worked on the little details like colour-matching racket grip 😉
No.1 court at 5pm GMT
https://twitter.com/augustazeight/status/483656494375002112/photo/1
They are uncovering courts.
No.1 court
https://twitter.com/augustazeight/status/483665900516958208/photo/1
Murray’s match has picked up since the rain delay, but Murray is going to win anyway.
I hope Muzza’s opponent is Dimi in the quarters, I do not see Mayer giving him a work-out at all, leaving Muzza under-cooked at the business end of the tournament.
One of Djoker or Muzz will lose points because they can’t both make the final.
Nole v Tsonga was a very competitive match, pity Tsonga woke up too late.
Tomorrow’s weather – Sunny, 27 deg C
Murray played very well, he appears in sublime form. He will be tough to beat.
I put him as the favorite after watching him play Anderson unless he meets Rafa in final. If its Rafa vs Murray its 50-50.
Djoko- Murray semi, I give the edge to Murray. Djoko will have easier time dispatching Cilic compared to what Murray will have handling Grigor though. But I expect both to be ready and fresh for Friday to go at each other.
Rafa I hope reaches the final. Can never say with him on grass, especially with a resurgent Fed on his fav surface.
I’ve watched the highlights of the matches, Murray does seem to be playing very well indeed but Anderson’s game is quite limited so you can’t really judge.
Tsonga is a much tougher opponent and Djoko dispatched him in straight sets including another bellicose celebration at the end… they should give him a shield and a sword so he could bump them together…
Rafa isn’t punishing when he should and this kid is fearless, as expected. Got a bad feeling about this one
Vamos Rafa, no shame in losing. You tried your best. Congratulations to Kyrgios, a star in the making perhaps
Reflections after the match.
Nadal is by far the most exciting tennis player ever.
Yet, one sees that his career is winding down 🙁
Don’t know what to think of this defeat.. true that Kyrgios had an amazing day and that he played well but still, he’s 19….. I’m surprised that it didn’t go to a 5th set
Anyway, I hope we can still enjoy many victories of our favourite player on the tour.
Vamos Rafa!!!