Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych will be squaring off for the 28th time in their careers when they meet again in the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Wednesday.
This is one of the most lopsided matchups on the current ATP Tour, with Djokovic holding a massive 25-2 lead in the head-to-head series. A current streak of 13 consecutive wins began at this same event in 2013, when the Serb prevailed 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-3–also in the quarters. Djokovic, who is 23-1 in their last 24 matches, has also taken 15 straight sets from Berdych.
Berdych, though, has had a full year to erase the demons against his upcoming opponent (they have not faced each other since last summer’s Rogers Cup). Additional good news for the 15th-ranked Czech is that he is back in fine form at one of his favorite tournaments. He is 41-13 lifetime at the All-England Club with a runner-up performance in 2010 and a semifinal showing last year, when he succumbed to eventual champion Andy Murray. So far this fortnight Berdych has taken out Jeremy Chardy, Ryan Harrison, David Ferrer, and Dominic Thiem–the latter in five sets on Monday.
Djokovic was shelved from manic Monday when Gilles Muller’s upset of Rafael Nadal on Court 1 lasted four hours and 47 minutes, thus preventing any additional matches from behind played. The world No. 4 took the court on Tuesday afternoon and battled past Adrian Mannarino 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-4 despite an apparent shoulder issue. Djokovic, who is already adding points to his ranking after losing in last season’s third round to Sam Querrey, also beat Martin Klizan, Adam Pavlasek, and Ernests Gulbis without dropping a set en route to the last eight.
Based on current form and his past history against Berdych, a rejuvenated Djokovic should coast into the semis. If he is derailed on Wednesday, it would likely be because of a shoulder problem and not due to getting outclassed by Berdych.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
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