Here at LWOS we decided to give everyone a special treat for the best day in tennis, Manic Monday at Wimbledon. Our panelists offer you their prediction and analysis for ever single Manic Monday match as the remaining 16 players in the draw are rested and ready to perform. Joining us are tennis editor Steen Kirby, LWOS contributor Niall Clarke, and freelance journalist Elliot Cornish to do the prognosticating (for the predictions for the Manic Monday women’s matches, click here).
Manic Monday (round of 16 matches)
(1)Novak Djokovic vs. (14)Kevin Anderson
Steen:
Djokovic has looked relentlessly solid and clutch in week 1, shaking off any worries about inadequate grass court prep, or mental cobwebs from his shocking French Open final loss. Anderson is a solid grass courter with a big game, but he’s not going to be able to return well enough to beat Djokovic, and though I think he snatches a tiebreak I’m going with Djokovic in 4 sets.
Elliot:
This should be another routine win for Djokovic despite Anderson’s serving prowess. The Serb has cruised through the opening three rounds so he will not be concerned while the South African is still searching for his first quarter-final at a Slam. Once Djokovic gets a read on the Anderson serve he should be able to find a break a set, at least. Djokovic in 3 sets
Niall:
Anderson is one of the staples of consistency on tour, and is playing well in grass season, backing up his Queens club final with a decent run here. I do not see him giving Djokovic too much trouble as the world number one is a terrible match up for him. Djokovic in 3 sets
(9)Marin Cilic vs. (WC)Denis Kudla
Steen:
Kudla is the American grass court specialist (13-1 on grass this year), while Cilic has had to scrape through to the second week, and struggled with a similar style player in Ricardas Berankis (winning in five sets in round 2). Kudla is undersized and a good ball striker like Berankis, and he’s had a great underdog run, I wouldn’t count him out at all in this match, but ranking and experience favors Cilic, the toughest opponent Denis has faced this year on grass, and thus the Croat should survive in what I predict will be his third consecutive five setter. Cilic in 5 sets
Elliot:
After epic five-set wins over Ricardas Berankis and John Isner, Cilic is fortunate that his last 16 challenge comes in the form of wildcard Kudla. The American has surprised many with his run to the fourth round and given the Croat’s struggles he should be hopeful of causing a few troubles on Monday. Ultimately, Cilic’s firepower will see him through, but going on the first week’s action, it might not be straight forward. Cilic in 4 sets
Niall:
Kudla is a surprise inclusion here. The American took advantage of Nishikori’s withdrawal to make the second week. Kudla has a good grass game, but I do not see him troubling the US Open champion. Cilic should come through fairly comfortably. Cilic in 3 sets
(4)Stan Wawrinka vs. (16)David Goffin
Steen:
Wawrinka and Goffin both look fantastic right now, but Wawrinka is the better player (2-0 h2h) and his power gives him an edge against the undersized Belgian. He’s also had a more difficult draw and come through with ease (beat Verdasco round 3 in straights). When Wawrinka is playing like this, watch out. Wawrinka in 4 sets
Elliot:
With neither player yet to drop a set in the tournament, the match between Wawrinka and Goffin promises to be of high standard. The former is riding high after his French Open triumph and looks to have found his feet quickly on the grass – a surface that rewards his powerful groundstrokes. Goffin, meanwhile, is confirming his credentials at the top level, but he is likely to be outgunned here, he will put up a fight though. Wawrinka in 4 sets
Niall:
Stan has breezed through without dropping a set so far, and this is his worst surface. Goffin can be a tricky customer and has played well himself to get to this stage. He can cause Wawrinka problems but the French open champ will win. Wawrinka in 3 sets
(21)Richard Gasquet vs. (26)Nick Kyrgios
Steen:
Kyrgios has been like dynamite this tournament, his play has been great, but he’s been courting controversy, as the young gun again has gone deep in a slam and has a chance to reach his second consecutive quarterfinal at Wimbledon. His upset of Raonic was great to see, and his belief appears back. Gasquet has also been excellent under the radar this tournament, as he demolished Dimitrov in round 3. Gasquet won their meeting this year with ease, but Kyrgios had that remarkable grass court comeback last year here saving over a half dozen match points and coming back from 2-0 down for a 10-8 fifth set win. I don’t this match will be as good as that one, but I do trust the combustible Kyrgios to aggressively power through. Kyrgios in 4 sets
Elliot:
In a repeat of their second-round bout from last year which saw Kyrgios prevail after saving nine match points, Gasquet and Kyrgios both have golden chances to reach the last eight of a Slam once again. The 20-year-old Australian has a knack of taking his opportunities at the biggest events and starts as favourite to make the quarters here for a second year running. He blasted past the defences of Milos Raonic in round three while Gasquet saw off Grigor Dimitrov with impressive ease and hasn’t lost a set at SW19 this year. But his run ends here. Kyrgios in 4 sets
Niall:
A repeat of their epic clash last year which saw Kyrgios save match points and come from a set down to beat the Frenchman. I believe the Aussie is a better player now than he was then, but I do question if he will be able to repeat his performance from last year if he falls behind. Gasquet is playing excellent tennis here, and I think he might pull it off. Gasquet in 4 sets
(22)Viktor Troicki vs. Vasek Pospisil
Steen:
This section opened up for Troicki after Nadal lost to Brown, and look for the dark horse Serbian to take advantage of it. He’s had a solid grass court season, and it doesn’t get much easier than unseeded player in the round of 16. Pospisil has served great this tournament, but his draw hasn’t been overly difficult, and with that in mine, I think Troicki will matchup well and have the talent and stamina needed to get a win. Pospisil barely survived journeyman James Ward in round 3. Troicki in 4 sets
Elliot:
Pospisil broke British hearts to sneak past James Ward and during the latter phases of that match his game started to click which bodes well for his last 16 clash with Troicki. The Serb was clinical in his win over Dustin Brown and was grateful to his first serve which delivered whenever called upon. Whoever wins will make their first quarter-final at a Slam, adding pressure to the contest. Troicki has been more solid than Pospisil so far and on that basis, he comes through this one. Troicki in 4 sets
Niall:
Troicki ended the run of Dustin Brown who had defeated Rafael Nadal in the previous round. The Serb is getting back to the form that saw him break the top 20 in 2011, and could be a dangerous player to face here. Pospisil beat James Ward, serving very well in the final two sets. I think Troicki will be too solid for the Canadian, but if Pospisil serves well who knows? Troicki in 4 sets
(3)Andy Murray vs. (23)Ivo Karlovic
Steen:
Murray, one of the top 3 returners in the men’s game, is 5-0 against Karlovic and has a Wimbledon h2h win. He’s been great through his first three matches, and presuming his shoulder is ok, which it appeared to be in set vs. Seppi, he should be able to get enough breaks to win this one. Karlovic is a great story to reach this far, and serve this well at 36, but Murray isn’t the best matchup for his game, even on grass. A healthy Murray should continue his quest for the title. Murray in 3 sets
Elliot:
It’s no surprise that Karlovic has made the fourth round here given his staggering serving efforts, which are arguably greater than they have ever been, even at the age of 36. Murray will be thankful for his superb returning skills here, but even so, preventing at least a couple of tiebreaks may not be possible. It strikes as a matter of when and not if for the Scot here, however, Karlovic is a nightmare opponent and Murray will have to be on his guard. He may well concede a set, but no more than that. Murray in 4 sets
Niall:
One of the greatest ever serves vs one of the best returns on centre court. Their last meeting here was controversial with Karlovic complaining about the numerous foot faults called against him. It will be interesting to see how he reacts if he gets foot faulted in this match. The Croat is serving very well so I think it will be tiebreak galore, but Murray will get the crucial break in the fifth set. Murray in 5 sets
(6)Tomas Berdych vs. (12)Gilles Simon
Steen:
This should be the closest match of the round 16, and it could be the most interesting as well given the style clash. Berdych’s power has earned him three solid wins, while Simon has grinded his way into the round of 16, and fended off Gael Monfils acrobatics in a late night Saturday finish. Simon actually has a small h2h edge (6-4), but Berdych won with ease in Rotterdam this year, and the fast surface of grass should favor his game. With that in mind look for Berdych to keep the errors down, fire some winners and win in 4 sets. Berdych in 4 sets
Elliot:
After strangely making tough work of Pablo Andujar, Berdych faces a tricky match-up on Monday against Gilles Simon, who sneaked past Gael Monfils in five sets under the Centre Court lights on Saturday evening. When the Frenchman goes on the attack, the fast courts actually suit him quite well, but all too often he can be dragged into a battle behind the baseline. Berdych is a former finalist here but five years on, he is a shadow of that player, especially at key moments in big matches. This will be a long one – and perhaps the closest duel of the day – and it wouldn’t shock me if Simon wins it. Simon in 5 sets
Niall:
Simon has a good record against Berdych, but their last meeting was all the Czech. I think this surface suits Berdych a lot more than Simon, and with his consistency this year I think he will prevail in four or five sets. Berdych in 4 sets
(2)Roger Federer vs. (20)Roberto Bautista Agut
Steen:
RBA showed Federer no resistance in their two meetings last year, including at the US Open, Federer has been efficient and his usual classy self in week 1 dropping just one set. RBA benefited from a favorable draw to get this far, but on grass Federer is the maestro, and he should maintain his super positive w/ue ratio and roll past RBA with relative ease. Federer in 3 sets
Elliot:
Feliciano Lopez’s early departure means Federer is still waiting for his draw to get ugly and he has a dream last 16 match in Bautista-Agut. The Spaniard has done well to get this far but simply doesn’t have the weapons to threaten the top guys, not that many would get many chances at the moment given the Swiss’ dominance on serve. Federer will break with regularity and cruise into yet another quarter-final at the All England Club. Federer in 3 sets
Niall:
This should be straight forward enough. He lost a set to Sam Groth, but apart from that Federer has looked ominous so far. Bautista Agut has an excellent forehand, but it will not be enough to trouble Federer. Federer in 3 sets
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