Andy Murray will continue his quest for a third Wimbledon title when he takes the court against Sam Querrey on Wednesday. Somewhat surprising quarterfinalist Gilles Muller is facing an in-form Marin Cilic.
(1) Andy Murray vs. (24) Sam Querrey
Murray and Querrey will be squaring off for the ninth time in their careers when they battle for a spot in the Wimbledon semifinals on Wednesday. The head-to-head series stands at 7-1 in favor of Murray, who is 2-0 against Querrey on grass. A 2006 Newport encounter went the Scot’s way via a 7-5, 6-2 decision and he also got the best of Querrey at Wimbledon–in the fourth round, as well–in easy straight sets seven years ago. The two veterans most recently faced each other at this year’s Australian Open, where Murray cruised 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.
Querrey has done extremely well to reach back-to-back Wimbledon quarterfinals. The 28th-ranked American upset Novak Djokovic during his run last summer and so far this fortnight he has picked up five-set wins over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Kevin Anderson. Those were the seventh and eighth five-setters in Querrey’s career at the All-England Club, and they were preceded by more routine defeats of Thomas Fabbiano and Nikoloz Basilashvili. Murray survived a competitive four-setter against Fabio Fognini last Saturday but has otherwise rolled over Alexander Bublik, Dustin Brown, and Benoit Paire. The world No. 1 has not been at his best in 2017, but his hip issue appears to be a minor concern at most and his Wimbledon title defense is off to a stellar start. Murray’s rock-solid service return has always befuddled big servers and an all too familiar fate will likely befall Querrey again on Wednesday.
Pick: Murray in 3
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(16) Gilles Muller vs. (7) Marin Cilic
Don’t count Cilic among those impressed with Querrey’s back-to-back Wimbledon quarterfinal performances. The sixth-ranked Croat has now accomplished that feat on back-to-back-to-back-to-back occasions. He has never reached the semis despite twice coming within one set of doing so, having lost to Djokovic from two sets to one up in 2014 and to Roger Federer from two sets to love up last summer. Djokovic also put an end to Cilic’s tournament in 2015.
Now, for the first time, an opponent outside of the Big 4 awaits Cilic on the second Wednesday. Instead of Rafael Nadal, it is Muller–who took down the Spaniard 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 15-13 in a fourth-round thriller that lasted four hours and 47 minutes. That contest almost never even happened, because the 26th-ranked Luxembourgian also survived a five-setter during second-round action while saving two match points in a 7-5, 6-7(7), 4-6, 6-3, 9-7 victory over Lukas Rosol. Cilic endured no such struggles on his way to the last eight, steamrolling past Philipp Kohlschreiber, Florian Mayer, Steve Johnson, and Roberto Bautista Agut all in straight sets. With the 2014 U.S. Open champion once again looking like a Grand Slam title contender and with Muller coming off a physically draining, emotionally charged battle, this one should be one-way traffic.
Pick: Cilic in 3
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I still disagree with you…Rafa played a five-setter at AO with Dimitrov and again with Fed almost winning that match being up a break…matches at Wimby are less demanding on his body, points being shorter, and Rafa would have been so high on confidence…too bad Rafa did not make it! He would have been in the semis now…
It’s all hypothetical. Anyone can say anything about Rafa’s chances against Cilic because it didn’t happen. He did not get through to meet him. We will never know for sure now and it’s not worth it to me to continue discussing it, the point is moot.,
Exactly NNY, it’s a moot point now. It’s already over for Rafa at this Wimbledon.
I wish for Cilic or even Berdych to win the title here. I always feel for Berdych at the slams; he’s not getting any younger, and his best these days are SFs at some of the slams and not more; I do hope he can spring a surprise and reaches the final and then anything can happen there in the final.
Berdych is not good enough. He’s a level below the top guys. Wawrinka and Cilic are capable of hitting a peak level that’s good enough to win the occasional slam. Berdych doesn’t have such capabilities even though he can best the top players on occasion.
This Cilic will end up losing to Querrey anyway….It took him five sets to beat a tired physically and emotionally spent 35 old…Sam will destroy him!
Nats, really? It took Sam five sets to beat a physically impaired Murray, he almost lost that one too; I don’t see him being any better than Cilic.
I don’t think so, Cilic has the pedigree of a grand slam winner similar to a horse that has group 1 pedigree. At this stage of a slam that pedigree is the difference. Cilic will have Queries for breakfast after a nice taste if pressure against Muller. There’s probably only 2-3 players in the world that can beat Muller on grass right now and Cilic is one of them.
Exactly. In my opinion the three best grass court players in the world now like looking at current form are Federer, Cilic, and Muller in that order. Just my opinion though.
Muller didn’t seem spent at all though. He was more energized and probably the better player in not only the first set but second as well. My man Gilles just missed out in the second though. I would’ve absolutely loved to see Muller v Fed in the finals.
was Murray really visibly impaired? (didn’t see the match).If you read the bbc’s website you’d think he played with crutches
With Murray it’s hard to tell at times. But I think it even affected him in his previous match. He did seem to be struggling with his movement. But that takes nothing away from Querrey who played great.
I’m sure it’s partially mental.
With Dioko nursing a sore shoulder, this Wimby is now Fed’s to lose………
It was always Fed’s to lose imo. He’s gonna take number 19. Not gonna lie I’m not only a little worried about the semis but I’m a little worried about a final against Cilic.
At this stage I am ready to wave the white flag and declare him GOAT………..
@RITB,
Yep. Me too..
I think the titles go to the oldest players on tour Fed and Venus! Nobody can stop them in making history here…
☹️ Muller fought well at this tourney but I’m so sad to see him go. Damn I just wish he would’ve taken advantage of the small opportunities leads and chances he had in that second set. I thought he was the better player in first and second set and if he gets the second chances are he wins in three or four. Then beat Querrey in the semis. ?
Ha, Benny, Cilic was too strong for that and I was so glad! Cilic is my second fave player and I hope he does win the title here. He’s the only one who can stop Fed imo, and can beat the other two also, so I hope he’s not too nervous and plays his best when it matters.
Hey why you gotta laugh bout my man Gilles losing ☹️ Imagine if I went “Ha he beat Rafa”
Muller is a massive form line. Cilic is a big chance for the title.
Murray’s been crap all tournament but still usually manages to survive for a crack at the final. This year his luck ran out and deservedly so.
Well done to Querrey making his first grand slam semi. He deserves at least one on his record.
Benny!…Sorry Muller lost okay?But he’s already creates the biggest story this tournament by beating Rafa…and i think he’s not too disappointed by his losses today..reaching QF in slams by defeating 1 of the legend in sports are huge…he will be remembered forever because of that Benny….cheers okay?
How come nobody remembers Stakhovsky, who beat Fed at Wimbledon in 2013 in the early round? Or Seppi who beat Fed at AO2015?
Why is it beating Rafa at the slams is such a big deal?? I can understand when it’s at the FO, but not at Wimbledon which is NOT Rafa’s turf!
I’m just a huge fan of Muller before this tournament that’s why I’m sad about him losing and like talking about his tournament still.
Oh I see what you’re referring to now. I think Mira is trying to cheer me up lucky no need to overanalyze what she said.
I know I’m just sad lol. But still happy for him too of course. Also I do like Cilic and the energy he brings to the court. I also find his game really smooth and exciting to watch for some reason. I know you wouldn’t think of him as a smooth player but I kinda like his long flat strokes I feel like they are nice to watch. I thought his match with Muller was a nice match to watch. And great reaction as always from Marin. I love the DALLEZs lol
Querrey is like a pitbll on heat at the moment. Cilic v Querrey should be a great match with Cilic winning in 4.
How good is Muller though, beats a Nadal in super form and takes an unstoppable Cilic to 5 sets. What a tournament.
Freaking baller that’s what he is lol. I think he gets top 16 seed again at US Open with strong showings on the hard courts of Atlanta, Washington, Canada, Cincy, etc. And if he plays Newport I think he goes one step further and wins it this year.