Kei Nishikori gets another shot–whether he wants one or not–at a Big 3 opponent when he takes the court against Roger Federer in the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Wednesday. Novak Djokovic and David Goffin are also in action.
(8) Kei Nishikori vs. (2) Roger Federer
Federer and Nishikori will be squaring off for the 11th time in their careers when they clash in the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Wednesday afternoon. The head-to-head series stands at 7-3 in favor of Federer, who had won six in a row at Nishikori’s expense before they most recently faced each other at the 2018 Nitto ATP Finals. Nishikori won a round-robin match 7-6(4), 6-3 only to get eliminated from that competition in swift fashion while Federer eventually cruised into the semis.
Whenever the stakes have been much higher, the Japanese world No. 7 has been hopeless against the Big 3. He took one set off Djokovic in the 2018 Wimbledon quarters but dropped the other three 6-3, 6-2, and 6-2, lost to Djokovic 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in the U.S. Open semis, retired against Djokovic in the Australian Open quarters while trailing 6-1, 4-1, and succumbed to Nadal 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in the French Open quarters. Nishikori is well-rested this time around due to unusually simple matches earlier in this event. Federer, though, has also been dominant. The 37-year-old Swiss eased through week one and then destroyed Matteo Berrettini (previously 10-1 on grass this summer) 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 on Monday. This should not be competitive.
Pick: Federer in 3 losing 12 games or fewer
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(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (21) David Goffin
Thanks in part to a favorable draw, Djokovic has been the most dominant out of everyone in the tournament–expect maybe Roberto Bautista Agut of all people. The world No. 1 and defending champion dropped one set to Hubert Hurkacz, but he also made mincemeat out of Philipp Kohlschreiber, Denis Kudla, and Ugo Humbert. Djokovic is now 68-10 lifetime at the All-England Club and bidding for his fifth title.
Up next for the top-seeded Serb on Wednesday is a seventh career contest against Goffin, who trails the head-to-head series 5-1. Just as Nishikori beat Federer last fall, the 23rd-ranked Belgian won his most recent match against Djokovic in a result that can be completely discounted. Djokovic was a shadow of his true self at that point. Goffin has been outstanding so far in London with defeats of Bradley Klahn, Jeremy Chardy, Daniil Medvedev, and Fernando Verdasco, but this is obviously a huge step up in competition. It is also worth noting that the underdog is 1-11 in total sets in his other five tries against Djokovic.
Pick: Djokovic in 3 losing more than 12 games
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