Ricky Dimon of the Grandstand and Mert Ertunga of Mertov’s Tennis Desk make their picks for three of the men’s Wimbledon quarterfinals on Wednesday. Roger Federer is resuming his campaign against Kevin Anderson, while John Isner faces Milos Raonic.
(1) Roger Federer vs. (8) Kevin Anderson
Ricky: Anderson was 0-4 lifetime against Gael Monfils before scraping past the Frenchman in four sets in Monday. The South African is also 0-4 lifetime against Federer. So that means he is going to win, right? Wrong! While Anderson is very good on grass, Federer is quite simply the best ever on grass. As usual, the 36-year-old will raise his level even higher as the competition improves at the business end of a slam. Federer in 3: 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3.
Mert: Kevin is pumped up to be in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the first time in his career. He is confident and keen on proving that his U.S. Open run to the final in 2017 was not a fluke. And the man can serve! That being said, he will fall one break and two tiebreakers short against the real serving machine from Switzerland. Federer in 3: 7-6, 7-5, 7-6.
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(9) John Isner vs. (13) Milos Raonic
Ricky: On a scale of the Bataan Death March to the Bubonic Plague, how excited are you for the matchup that is John Isner vs. Milos Raonic on grass? Well, I’ll admit it: I’m going to watch it. And I’m even going to enjoy it if the man from my country wins it. And he should–even though an Isner-Raonic match on grass can hardly be more than 50-50 in either player’s favor. The Canadian has played no one through four rounds, while Isner–who has been better than Raonic this entire year–has not been broken a single time and was outstanding against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Monday. Isner in 4: 7-6(4), 6-7(6), 7-6(3), 7-6(17).
Mert: Why did it take so long for Isner to make it past third round at Wimbledon with a serve like that? Yes, I have heard all types of explanations–but those still do not make it any less of an oddity. I mean, who is going to break Isner’s serve? Raonic? I doubt it. Now ask the same question in reverse. Who is going to break Raonic’s serve? Isner? I doubt it. Paradox! This match ain’t ending on Wednesday. Raonic gets revenge on behalf of Nicolas Mahut. Raonic in 5: 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-7, 27-25.
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(12) Novak Djokovic vs. (24) Kei Nishikori
Ricky: Peak Djokovic vs. peak Nishikori has the potential to be one of the best matchups in tennis, featuring wild baseline exchanges, incredible ball-striking, the two best two-handed backhands on tour, and jaw-dropping defense. Unfortunately, Djokovic isn’t quite back to 100 percent and Nishikori will probably nowhere near his best (he dealt with elbow issues again on Monday against Ernests Gulbis). An improving Djokovic is 13-2 lifetime in the H2H. He should make it 14-2 with ease. Djokovic in 3: 7-5, 6-4, 6-1.
Mert: Ok, time to get serious. This will a solid baseline duel. I am looking for some high-quality shot-making. The question is: who will do more of the shot-missing? Novak is back… almost. His footwork is still not there; or shall I say, it is getting there? If it’s there by Wednesday, Nishikori will badly need to win the first set–or else it’s a routine win for Novak. I am going with the part after “or else.” Djokovic in 3: 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.
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who ya got?
Fed in four as Anderson may win a TB set. Isner in four or five as he’s serving really well and hasn’t lost his serve yet.
Djoko in four as Kei (if his elbow is not injured) when he can play the way he played against Kyrgios, ie takes the ball early and hitting with precision, will give Djoko some problems. Djoko will most likely get to every ball and grind Kei down for the win.
Nole, Federer in three , with at least one tight set in each match.
Raonic in five, cant go against his better grass record.
Federer over Anderson 6-3 7-6(3) 6-3
Djoker over Nishikori 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-2
Isner over Raonic 7-6(5) 6-7(6) 7-5 7-6(7)
Fed is first up on Court 1 tomorrow. He last played on Court1 in Before Christ era.
that’s a long time!
Yes! Anderson wins the third set and first person to take a set from Fed here this year! Well done! So, Fed has equalled his consecutive sets winning streak at Wimbledon when he won the second set.
Fed will win in four I think.