It’s time for the Men’s quarterfinals at Wimbledon 2016. The likes of Sam Querrey and Lucas Pouille are looking to continue their success and notch upsets, while Grand Slam champions Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Marin Cilic continue their quest for a return to Grand Slam glory. Steen Kirby, Yesh Ginsburg, and Manuel Traquete are on hand once again to offer their previews and predictions.
Sam Querrey vs. Milos Raonic
Steen: Querrey has a 2-1 h2h record over Raonic and has been in remarkable form through Wimbledon. Coming off of his upset to Novak Djokovic, he was expected to return to earth and fall to Nicolas Mahut, but instead he dominated Mahut to setup a best ever Wimbledon quarterfinal result. Raonic a big hitter and big server on the grass in his own right, is the favorite in this match, although he needed five sets against David Goffin in his last match. Both players have a similar style, and Querrey could notch another upset and defeat Raonic, but Raonic plays Querrey’s game better than he does. Raonic in 4 sets
Yesh: Sam Querrey got a tremendous draw for his first Slam quarterfinal. He basically is the same as Milos Raonic with a better baseline game, though his net game is worse than the Canadian’s. Querrey in 4
Manuel: Can Querrey continue his sensational run? Tiebreaks will most likely provide the answer to that question in a match between two of the biggest servers on tour. Ultimately you’d expect Raonic’s superior experience and mentality to prevail, but it will almost surely be a close affair. Raonic in 4
Roger Federer vs. Marin Cilic
Steen: Federer didn’t lose to Cilic until the 2014 US Open, and they haven’t met since then. Cilic is playing great on grass and got a retirement against Kei Nishikori, allowing him rest, along with a win. Federer hasn’t dropped a set all tournament and is playing well, although he’s yet to face an opponent of Cilic’s caliber. Cilic’s power can bother Federer, but he’ll need to consistently play his best tennis to defeat the Swiss maestro, and I have to go with Federer’s experience in this one. Federer in 5
Yesh: Federer has not been challenged at all this tournament. That will come back to hurt him here, when he meets an in-form and hard-hitting Marin Cilic. Cilic beat Federer easily two years ago at the US Open and looks in form to hit the Swiss Maestro off the court again. Cilic in 3
Manuel: Both players have cruised to this stage without facing any meaningful resistance. The last time they faced, Cilic absolutely mauled the 17-time Slam champion under the lights in New York en route to his maiden and so far only Slam title. But that his only ever win over Federer, who tends to play his best tennis at center court in Wimbledon and will be desperate to try and win an 18th Slam with Djokovic out of his way for once. Federer in 5
Tomas Berdych vs. Lucas Pouille
Steen: Pouille stunned Bernard Tomic in his last match and has posted his best ever Grand Slam result. More great results are in the future for this talented Frenchman, but he’s an underdog in this match, and Berdych comes off an emotional win against Jiri Vesely. Berdych’s power should make quick work of Pouille, who is more tactical in his style. I pick the Czech to end Pouille’s remarkable run. Berdych in 3
Yesh: Berdych looks in amazing form, troubles agaisnt Vesely notwithstanding, and has the power to blast Pouille off the court. Pouille’s run has been amazing, but he’s up against a much stronger grass player now. Berdych in 3
Manuel: Pouille has been perhaps the biggest surprise of this tournament; he was considered a heavy underdog against both del Potro and Tomic and yet here he is and nobody can say it’s not deserved, he’s produced some exceptional tennis to get to this stage. But one has to wonder how much he has left to give after his previous efforts, especially when on the other side of the net is a player who specializes in relentlessly bullying (in a positive sense, of course) the lower ranked players. Pouille would have to raise his level even further to make it best Berdych. Berdych in 3
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Andy Murray
Steen: Andy Murray is 2-0 at Wimbledon against Tsonga and has won their last three meetings. The British #1 and tournament favorite hasn’t dropped a set this tournament and appears focused and lethal on court with Ivan Lendl up in his box watching on. Tsonga should be fresh after Richard Gasquet was unfit for their round of 16 match and his attacking play can bother most opponents on grass, but Murray’s defense should be too sharp in this one. Murray in 4
Yesh: Tsonga had to play a lot of tennis to get to the fourth round, but he got a reprieve when his opponent, Richard Gasquet, retired with injury in the first set. Murray looks nearly unbeatable here, but not even the Scot can break Tsonga’s serve when it’s on. This could be tight. Murray in 4
Manuel: Murray is looking the favorite for the title at the moment, especially after his dominant win over Kyrgios on Monday. But Tsonga can never be underestimated, when his game is clicking he can take out anyone, anywhere and he’s looked quite good so far this tournament. Murray has always had Tsonga’s number in their head to head and there seems to be little reason to believe that will change, but we can expect the Frenchman to at least make it quite difficult for Murray. Murray in 4
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