As the pressure mounts on Andy Murray to capture a second Wimbledon title, the world No. 2 will face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga during quarterfinal action on Wednesday. Milos Raonic and Sam Querrey are also aiming for a place in the semis.
(12) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. (2) Andy Murray
Murray and Tsonga will be meeting for the 15th time in their careers when they collide in the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Wednesday. An alarmingly lopsided head-to-head series has Murray out in front 12-2, including 5-0 on grass and 2-0 at the All-England Club. They squared off at this event in both 2010 (quarterfinals) and 2012 (semis), with the Scot getting the job done in four sets on each occasion. They have not clashed since a pair of encounters last summer, when Murray prevailed 7-5, 7-6(10), 6-2 in a Davis Cup showdown on the grass courts of Queen’s Club and 6-4, 6-4 at the Montreal Masters. Tsonga last beat his nemesis two years ago in Toronto, via a 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4 decision.
Murray’s march through this fortnight has been just about perfect so far, featuring straight-set beatdowns of Liam Broady, Yen-Hsun Lu, John Millman, and Nick Kyrgios. The second seed is a perfect 9-0 on the green stuff, a record that features a title at Queen’s Club, following his French Open final loss to Novak Djokovic. Tsonga endured a much different kind of trek through the first four rounds. The 12th-ranked Frenchman eased past Inigo Cervantes and Juan Monaco before saving one match point to outlast John Isner 6-7(3), 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-2, 19-17. He then got a retirement from countryman Richard Gasquet while leading 4-2 in the opening set on Monday. This is Tsonga’s first productive tournament since reaching the Monte-Carlo semifinals in April and he has not done enough to suggest he is ready to take down Murray, whose newfound status as title favorite has not seemed to add any pressure. As usual, the world No. 2’s stellar return game should be too much for Tsonga’s one-two, serve-forehand punch.
Pick: Murray in 4
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(28) Sam Querrey vs. (6) Milos Raonic
It’s not often that Isner fails to be the last American man standing in the singles draw of a Grand Slam. But both Querrey and Steve Johnson outperformed him at SW19 and now it is Querrey who is the lone flag-bearer. Before the 28th seed famously upset Djokovic during third-round action on Saturday, his Wimbledon campaign came perilously close to not even getting off the ground. Querrey lost his first two sets of the event but roared back to beat Lukas Rosol 6-7(6), 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2, 12-10 in round one. He then destroyed Thomaz Bellucci in the last 64, shocked Djokovic 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(5), and avenged a recent ‘s-Hertogenbosch loss to Nicolas Mahut by defeating the Frenchman 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-4 on Monday.
Up next for Querrey is Raonic, whom he leads 2-1 in the head-to-head series. They also faced each other at Wimbledon four years ago, when the current world No. 41 scored a 6-7(3), 7-6(7), 7-6(8), 6-4 second-round victory. Wednesday will mark their first meeting since early in 2013 at the now-defunct San Jose tournament, where Raonic got the job done 6-4, 6-2. The seventh-ranked Canadian has also required a comeback from two sets down in order to reach the quarterfinals. Following routine victories over Pablo Carreno Busta, Andreas Seppi, and Jack Sock, Raonic edged David Goffin 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the fourth round. A former Wimbledon semifinalist (2014) who also went that far at this season’s Australian Open, Raonic has far more experience than Querrey at his stage of majors. In fact, this is the underdog’s first appearance in a slam quarterfinal and he had previously been past the third round only three times. This is likely where Querrey’s improbable run comes to an end at the hand’s of Raonic’s massive serve.
Pick: Raonic in 4
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who ya got?
I think Murray will win in 4 sets. He’s looking very sharp now and his victory over a less than inspiring Kyrgios was a good sign.
Tsonga got a break with the early retirement of Gasquet. That should help him after the tough five set comeback win over isner. For Tsonga this quarterfinal result is a nice rebound from his injury exit at RG. But this is as far as he will go.
Raonic is the favorite against Querrey. It’s been a great run for Querrey. He will need to keep serving well. Goffin went up two sets against Raonic, but couldn’t get the win. That should give Raonic some momentum and even more confidence for this match. He is the more experienced player.
I think that Querrey could still make a match of it. But I see Raonic winning in 4 sets.
The over hyped NK made a travesty of the encounter with Murray 🙁
He came close to being fined for lack of effort!
Querrey claims another scalp in four and Murray beats Tsonga in four
Muzza in 3. Unless there’s a dip in concentration, I don’t see Tsonga taking a set.
Querrey in 4 and Murray in 3. Murray too good to even lose a set. Raonic wasnt impressive so far unlike Querrey. If Querrey carries on playing consistently well, he can beat Raonic.
Murray in three as Tsongs is spent.
Another game for Milosh (in four).
Sam query got this on lock down. Raonic spent way too much time on the court with goffin. He will not be well rested and it will affect his serve power. Also where probably feels invincible after beating #1 and then mahut in str8 sets.
Murray in 4 and Querrey in 4 or 5. Both have big serves and forehands, but I think Querrey has the better return. Both backhands are questionable at times. Still going for the American!
Raonic in 3 and Murray in 3
The Wimbledon virtual reality videos are a bit hammy but worth watching. Murray is very articulate about his relationship with Wimby and why some of his best performances have happened on this court.
http://jaguar.wimbledon.com/en_GB/wrapper/jlr/index.html
Tsonga on fire is always dangerous but agree he will be no match for this new version of Murray
Murray in 3
Muzza in straights with maybe one tiebreak. The other match could be closer,Raonic in four.
Querrey is riding on the crest of a wave and Raonic has wobbled in several of his previous matches before recovering in time to get the wins. Am thinking Sam could take him out if he keeps his head.
Querrey in 4
Murray in 3! He is on the mission here and Tsonga is too spent to offer resistance…
I will go with Milosh in 4! I heard he stated Novak losing at Wimby is not the end of the tourney as there were many quality players left in the draw to make it interesting! That’s the right attitude!
Ajde Milose!
Agree with most of the above…Andy cruises in 4; and I like the improbable Querry to continue his amnazing run….he’ll win in 4.
Raonic in 4, Murray in 3.
Berdych wins, finally, and into the QF, yes! Hope he at least reaches the SF.
Well played too by Vesely; he’s still young and will have his chances in future.
A few of us picked Berdych to play reasonably well at Wimbledon having made 4th round or better seven times in the last 10 years, whilst a few (notably Ricky) scoffed and went with the flavour of the month Zverev.
Looks like our semis will be Murberd and Raonerer.
Don’t you?
Or do you.
I did a mix of that. I picked him to beat Zverev but lose to Thiem.
I am glad that Berdy was able to prevail and get the win. This was certainly a great run for Vesely. Let’s hope he can build on this result as he moves on.
Ben Rothenberg @BenRothenberg 33m33 minutes ago Merton, London
Q. You reached the finals six years ago. What is the difference for you?
TOMAS BERDYCH: I’m six years older.
Don’t you? Or do you.
hahahahaha
Murray in 3
Querrey in 5.