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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Looking at how RBA plays now against a tired Pella, I doubt he’s going to get a set from Djoko in the SF should he beat Pella here.
I initially thought that RBA maybe could fight against Djoko to get a set but he doesn’t look that impressive after all. Djoko will send him packing quite handily in the SF.
Well, RBA is a formidable opponent for Nole …I’m not confident the match will be done in a tidy 3 sets as I hope. RBA can be a problem for most anyone on his day.
Late on these but Fed in 3, Djokovic in 3
shocker start for Fed
Not playing Berrettini today!☺
Just be thankful.he’s on court!Grr!
Agut will probably be done pretty soon, Rafa won’t be starting late.
It’s not just Nishikori either, Fed’s already hit 2 DF’s and shanked a few.
We could be in for a repeat of AO 2017 4th round! Fed has to scrap and claw his way through that one after losing the first set. I believe it went 5, and that was a faster court. Wimbledon being quite slow, Nishi can upset Fed if he can keep up his level and if Fed can’t up his.
Fed looks like he’s still getting some of his 12hrs sleep
It’s not been fun watching him get beat in a match that earlier in his life he would have certainly won. Poor Mirka and Leo and Lenny. I saw some pictures of Leo and Lenny watching their daddy lose. One was crying. Charlene and Myla Rose have never appeared to care either way. But the Mirka and the boys..horrible.
Although I will be happy for Kei if he makes the SF.
Fed is way off his game. Looks very slow.
Nishi comes to play. Fed’s BH is so unreliable these days, Nishi will win those BH to BH exchanges.
Fed won’t lose! He will win in four or five sets, I know Kei is good for a set when he is playing well so far this Wimbledon.
Fed has stepped it up a gear now. That second set was probably the best set he’s played all tournament. If I’m not mistaken, he made zero unforced errors. When he’s playing like that he’s essentially unstoppable. Still don’t know how he moves and defends as well he has either. Considering he’s almost 38.
So, Fed v Nadal (one last time?)
Don’t think Fed was particularly good here besides the 2nd set, but I’m happy he won even though I think he will lose to Rafa in the next round.