Expert picks are back for the second week at Wimbledon, where quarterfinal action takes place on Wednesday. Spaniards Rafael Nadal and Roberto Bautista Agut have respective matchups against Sam Querrey and Guido Pella. The Grandstand’s Ricky Dimon and Cheryl Murray along with Mert Ertunga of Mertov’s Tennis Desk make their picks.
Sam Querrey vs. (3) Rafael Nadal
Ricky: I was wrong about Nadal vs. Nick Kyrgios, in that an absolute beatdown was forecasted. It turned out to be what is still the best match of the tournament. But Querrey isn’t Kyrgios; at least he’s not an Against-Nadal-Kyrgios. The 6’6” American will be somewhat competitive, for sure, as he has been broken only once through four rounds and is making his third quarterfinal appearance in the last four Wimbledons. But other than in round two, Nadal has been destroying people. Querrey, on the other hand, is coming off a tough fourth-rounder against Tennys Sandgren–a grass-court result that is less than encouraging, it has to be said. Nadal in 3: 6-4, 7-6(5), 7-5.
Cheryl: Ordinarily, I would surmise Querrey’s chances against Nadal as “slim.” But the American is playing some really good grass-court tennis this fortnight and Wimbledon is where Querrey is at his most dangerous, so a routine victory for Nadal is not a foregone conclusion. That’s not to say that a Nadal win isn’t highly likely. The Spaniard is playing magnificent tennis, seemingly buoyed by his second-round revenge win over Kyrgios. If Querrey serves well he could snag a set (or even two), but it’s hard to imagine him playing well enough to dispatch the world No. 2. Nadal in 4: 7-5, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4.
Mert: This is a solid test for Nadal, one that should provide for a close match but one that he should slip by at the end of the day. Querrey has won all of his service games but one (71 out of 72). He will probably only lose his serve once against Nadal, too (ok, maybe twice), but that shall be too many because he is unlikely to break Nadal’s serve. Nadal is quite successful, too, in this category (56 out of 59 service games held). On the other hand, Querrey is at the bottom of the pack out of the eight quarterfinalists in terms of return games won with an alarming 18 percent (13 out of 72). The Spaniard needs to keep a high first-serve percentage to avoid Querrey blasting returns for winners (whether he will make them consistently or not, that is another story). I believe there will be one or more tiebreakers, and if the underdog can steal one (or two) this could go to five sets, but a four-setter sounds more realistic to me. Nadal in 4: 7-5, 6-7, 7-5, 7-6.
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(26) Guido Pella vs. (23) Roberto Bautista Agut
Ricky: Bautista Agut has benefited from a favorable draw, but who cares? He has been awesome the whole, and he at least destroyed No. 10 seed Karen Khachanov during the first week. The Spaniard is 12-0 in total sets and only Khachanov managed to even force a single tiebreaker. Pella is making a quick turnaround after coming back from two sets down to stun Milos Raonic in a thrilling five-setter. It has been an incredible run for the Argentine, but it likely ends here. RBA is on fire, and outside of the Big 3 there may be no one on tour better at completely taking out an opponent’s legs. Bautista Agut in 3: 7-6(6), 7-5, 6-1.
Cheryl: Pella may have had the most impressive first four rounds in the entire men’s draw. He not only stunned 2018 finalist Kevin Anderson in the third round, but he also came back in the round of 16 to take out the 15th-seeded Raonic. The Argentine isn’t exactly a Wimbledon specialist, either. He’s played three other times, with a pair of first-round exits and a third-round result to show for his efforts. RBA’s first-week run wasn’t quite as impressive as Pella’s, but was close. He ousted Khachanov and then clobbered Benoit Paire on Monday. RBA has a 2-0 record over Pella and the Spaniard’s matches have been far more routine. Pella will fight hard, but RBA should come through his quarterfinal. Bautista Agut in 4: 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
Mert: Can Pella pull another one again? More importantly, does he have enough stamina left to take out a player who will surely not go down without a battle? You don’t win easy matches, nor do you get to win points short-cut points against Bautista Agut. You win, but you will suffer. Or he outlasts you, out-rallies you, and exhausts you. Pella has his hands full. RBA is the only player in the quarterfinals not to have lost a set. He will continue that streak today after a close first set. Bautista Agut in 3: 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.
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I’ve made a point of watching Querrey’s matches here just to work out what Rafa has to face. So far, I see no cause for concern because whilst Querrey is a big server, that alone doesn’t win matches, otherwise, Karlovic, Isner and Raonic would still be in the draw.
Querrey may come out and play great tennis like he did in the Acapulco final last year, other than that, I don’t see too much of a problem.
Rafa in 5, 2 sets going to tie breaks.
Keep that ROS sharp rafa…Vamos. 🙂
Stay focused, remain confident, be strong and fight bravely, Rafa!
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Apparently Kei has a cold so Fed may be on court for a little over half an hour!☺
Looks like RBA may do this pretty quick. No. RBA squandered 3 break points.
Goffin playing well!hard to watch 2 matches at the same time!
Yeah both matches are awesome!
Pella keeping my hopes alive for him at the moment
Getting dizzy switching!
Back to this one where RBA has lost the break!
I knew this match was going to go on forever! Grrr!
RBA breaks. Ok I have to go out to buy icecream for later!
Big Al is right Pella probably too tired to go 5 sets and win. RBA in 3, I think. Pella unable to keep the level up.
That said, Keep fighting, Guido!! (if at all possible)
he is, for now
Pella up.a break in the third and RBA playing rubbish suddenly. Double grrr! I want this match to end so rafa can get on court.
I am waiting for this match to finish so I can disappear for a few :). Damn just like you thought.. This is going to take a while!
Talk about frustrating!!
I really wish that RBA could finish this in 3 sets. I want to see Rafa! The waiting is driving me crazy!
RBA showing why he isn’t a top player. Triple grr! Knowing him he will choke and we will go 5. If so I will go berserk!!
It really is sod’s law that Rafa has the most difficult opponent and he gets to.play after the slowest first match.
Ok let’s calm down with the Bautista Agut criticism. He just lost his first set of the tournament in the quarterfinals 😂
No thanks Benny!! We want rafa on court and f or This hell of waiting to end.
and don’t want the roof to be closed!
Yes exactly! I.have said one trillion times that’s the danger.
I know I’m late on these but my picks are Rafa in 4 and RBA in 3 (looks like Pella gonna take this set though)
I hope Agut and Pella don’t go five sets here! Pella seems to relish in playing five setters here! No good for whoever wins and no good for our Rafa who’s waiting to play his match!
If RBA lets this go to five sets, I will have a stroke!
I am going to the supermarket if this goes four sets. I need sustenance!
I have already been nny! I bought 3 bars of chocolate.
amy,
It’s early here but I need something sweet to handle the waiting and the nerves!
Yes definitely nny! Go for it! ☺
I feel a pint of chocolate ice cream will do. Preferably from Ben and Jerry’s involving chocolate cookie dough. Half baked Brownie dough and chocolate chip cookie dough. But it’s not going to happen. I must persevere! Been doing that too much lately LOL
fruity gelato, maybe.
Okay if’s going at least 4 sets. Off to the store!
Testing
Hi vr!! This is so annoying!!
RBA is a choker!
vr,
Are you going to be here with us for Rafa’s match? We need you!
Oh greAt Pella wins the set! Aren’t we lucky! Massive sarcasm emoji!
Oh I’m so sorry, not sorry, amy 😀
Busy rooting for Pella here…
Yes I know rc! Nole has a cakewalk draw to the final! More cake! I have cake on the brain!
Oh dear just eaten half a chocolate bar in one minute because I am getting so cross!
I have to say Pella has more game than Agut. Pella makes Agut looks one dimensional! It’s a pity he has to play so many five setters, that I think he will have no chances against Djoko (to get a set) should he reach the SF. His game could at least give Djoko some challenges, with his net rushing and lefty serve.
RBA would be way tougher for Djoker
one of the many reasons I root for Guido.
RBA running round to hit everything off his forehand!
Finally he wins!☺
Rafa on court!!
Court 1 is good for Nadal. It’s almost clay.