It’s the quarterfinal round here at Wimbledon 2015. With the competition heating up and some surprises in the bottom half of the draw, we are well on our way to a classic tournament. Can Serena keep her Calendar Year Grand Slam alive? Will Coco Vandeweghe or Madison Keys break through? What about Maria Sharapova, who hasn’t won this tournament in 11 years? Joining us to predict the quarterfinals today are LWOS writers Linda Celia Ellis, Niall Clarke, and John Lupo.
Serena Williams vs Victoria Azarenka
Linda
This is a match I was hoping for all along. Azarenka has consistently challenged Williams but has been unable to win. Their last match on clay at Roland Garros went the distance and Azarenka faded in the third set. Azarenka has quietly played her way into good form on the grass and could provide a real challenge for Williams. My heart says Azarenka in three sets but my head says Williams in three.
Prediction: Serena in 3
John
The top seed looked every bit the part in defeating her sister Venus for her 25th straight Grand Slam win. Her serve was sharp and her passing shots crisp. Azarenka continues to look solid in her continued comeback, dispatching Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic 6-2 6-3. Azarenka never is mentally intimidated by facing Williams and was up a set and a break at the French Open. Whether or not she is ready to once again physically with the #1 player in the world is another story. My heart says the Belarusian will finally get over the hump and Williams’ improved form was due to facing her sister. My head says she’ll raise her level again facing a player she knows can beat her. I’ll go with my head, but only just.
Predictions: Serena in 3
Niall
They meet again, and maybe we could be in for another three set thriller? The World #1 looked a lot better against her sister than against Watson, whilst Azarenka eased passed Belinda Bencic. The Belarusian gives Serena problems but this grass, and we are in the World #1’s element. Azarenka will push it, but Serena will come through.
Prediction: Serena in 3
Maria Sharapova vs Coco Vandeweghe
John
The American’s inspired play continued with another upset, this time knocking off French Open finalist Lucie Safarova in two tiebreaks. Sharapova routined Zarina Diyas 6-4 6-4, save for a blip in the 2nd set when she fell behind a break 3-1. The Russian will give Vandeweghe a few points with double faults and how the American attacks Sharapova’s 2nd serve. This is the first time Sharapova has advanced this far since 2011 when she made the final. Much my like first pick, I’ll take the favorite, but only barely.
Prediction: Sharapova in 3
Linda
Vandeweghe is finally playing at the level she is capable of,; the questions that remain are can she continue to play at this level and does she believe she can win? Sharapova is a fierce competitor but if she serves up too many double faults it could be her downfall. The champion in 2004 has never reached the pinnacle at Wimbledon again and I don’t think she is going to do it this year. Vandeweghe in straight sets.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 2
Niall
The second of three Americans in the draw, Vandeweghe has had an excellent tournament thus far, getting to this stage without dropping a set. Her powerful game suits the grass, but here she faces the biggest test of her tournament. Sharapova has also breezed through the first week and will be fancying another crack at Serena in the semifinals. Vandeweghe will be tough but I expect experience to guide the Russian through.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
Madison Keys vs Agnieszka Radwanska
John
The American trailed in all 3 sets against qualifier Olga Govortsova before emerging with a 3-6 6-4 6-1 victory. Radwanska defeated Jelena Jankovic 7-5 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals. The Pole is 3-0 against Keys, including a 3-set victory here a few years ago. If the 21st seed can harness her incredible power and stay patient, she can overpower Radwanska. The 13th seed’s best weapon is her movement and her mind, but her serve is highly vulnerable in this matchup. Lindsay Davenport has done wonders with Keys’ game in a short time and guided her to the Australian Open semifinals this year. I think she adds a Wimbledon semifinal appearance to that resume.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Niall
Petra Kvitova’s exit has opened the draw for one of these girls to make the final. They play different games with Radwanska being more about the finesse, and Keys being all about the power. If the American plays well she will blast Radwanska off the court, but I feel the Pole will frustrate her with the variety and make the semi finals yet again.
Prediction: Radwanska in 3
Linda
After a rough start to the year it appears Radwanska has found her game on the grass. After a semifinal showing in Australia Keys is hoping to build on that result, and although she is more powerful than her opponent, Radwanska’s crafty play could be a challenge for Keys. Radwanska leads their head to head meetings three to zero, including a match at Wimbledon in 2012.
Prediction: Radwanska in 3
Garbine Muguruza vs Timea Bacsinszky
Niall
Two unexpected quarterfinalists looking to make their first Wimbledon semifinal. The Swiss was awesome in the opening three rounds, but she was tested by Monica Niculescu. Muguruza brings a different game from the Romanian. She has overpowered Kerber and Wozniacki to get to this stage and looks better than ever on her weakest surface. Bacsinszky will fight until the very end, but I feel in this form Muguruza’s power will be too much for the Swiss.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Linda
Muguruza defeated Bacsinszky in their only meeting, at the Australian Open earlier this year in three sets–but that was on a hard court. On the grass at Wimbledon Bacsinszky has the type of game that can disrupt the rhythm of Muguruza. With her new found confidence I give Bacsinszky the edge.
Prediction: Bacsinszky in 3
John
The Spaniard scored her 3rd career win vs Caroline Wozniacki in four career meetings, winning 6-4 6-4. Bacsinszky was two games from exiting to Romanian Monica Niculescu before recovering 1-6 7-5 6-2. In their only previous meeting, Muguruza was victorious at the Australian Open this year. The Swiss is a much better player now and will make the 20th seed work for this match, but Muguruza’s controlled power should see her past the rising Swiss and into her first Grand Slam semifinal.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
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