We are at the business end of the Rogers Cup in Montreal with eight men battling for the right to be champion. It has been an interesting week so far for a majority of reasons. We have seen the upsets, some fabulous tennis, and the odd remark or two about certain explicit activities off the court. Now with the quarterfinals dawning it is time the tennis did the talking.
John Isner vs Jeremy Chardy
Friday’s proceedings will open with the unexpected quarterfinal between big serving John Isner and France’s Jeremy Chardy. Early exits for Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic opened this section for a surprise semifinalist, and one of these two men will be the beneficiary.
Isner’s superb form in recent weeks has transcended the border and in to Montreal. The giant American has backed up his title win in Atlanta and final run in Washington by making the last eight of the Rogers Cup. The world #12 produced perhaps the most popular result of the week by dispatching Nick Kyrgios in straight sets last time around. He will be looking for a repeat performance when he takes to Centre Court on Friday.
Chardy should be well-prepared for the mammoth serve of his opponent after defeating Ivo Karlovic in the last round. The Frenchman has never been known for his consistency, but his game has clicked this week. He was impressive in breaking Karlovic twice in the third set of their encounter, can he do the same to Isner?
Head to head: Surprisingly, the head to head is very one sided in the favour of Chardy. The world #49 leads 3-0 including a victory this year at the French Open.
What to expect: Tiebreaks. Expect Isner to rain down big serve after big serve and keep the rally short or non-existent. Chardy will have to protect his own serve as he will unlikely see many openings on his opponent’s.
Prediction: There is a question of fatigue and a slight injury surrounding the American, but will that be a factor in a match where we will see little to no lengthy rallies? Isner is in good form otherwise and that could see him past the Frenchman.
Isner in 3.
Novak Djokovic vs Ernests Gulbis
The World #1 has been unbeatable in the Masters this year as his dominance of the tour has been something to behold. If he had not skipped Madrid he could have potentially won them all so far. Looking to stop the Serb is qualifier Ernests Gulbis, who has re-discovered his form this week.
Djokovic was fantastic in finding the holes in Jack Sock’s game. For the loss of only three games, the top seed sent Sock to the laundry after just 56 minutes on court. Djokovic had defeated Thomaz Bellucci in the previous round in a more challenging match-up, but as so often he pulled through in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(4).
Gulbis, on the other hand, has doubled his win tally of year this week. After only winning five tour matches in 2015, the Latvian came through qualifying to make the quarter finals of the Rogers Cup. The world #87 defeated Donald Young in round three 6-4 6-4, in his most impressive performance of the week.
Head to head: 5-1 in the favour of Djokovic. Most of the Serbian’s wins have been fairly routine straight set victories barring the four sets needed to defeat Gulbis at the French open last year. The Latvian’s one victory came in Brisbane six years a go.
What to expect: Djokovic is known for his backhand but in reality it is the forehand that does the most damage. Look for the top seed to use that weapon across court to exploit Gulbis’ weaker wing. The qualifier will have to hope he has one of those unplayable days where everything clicks as it is hard to see him beating Djokovic otherwise.
Prediction: Unless Gulbis hits top form it is hard to see Djokovic not winning this match. The Latvian is unpredictable and can produce the type of performance to beat the world #1, but the safe money is on another straight sets win for Djokovic.
Djokovic in 2.
Kei Nishikori vs Rafael Nadal
In the eyes of many, this is the pick of the quarterfinal match-ups. US Open finalist and fourth seed Kei Nishikori faces 14 time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal for a spot in the semi-finals.
Nishikori came in to Montreal off the back of a title win in Washington so he is in good form heading in to this clash. The Japanese star has quietly slayed his competition without dropping a set so far, most recently David Goffin. In the Thursday night session, Nishikori defeated the Belgian routinely 6-4 6-4.
Is it too early to say Nadal is back? Maybe, but the Spaniard is riding a win streak that started in Hamburg where he won the title. The Spaniard has also not dropped a set en route to the quarterfinals, defeating Sergiy Stakhovsky and Mikhail Youzhny.
Head to head: So far, so dominant for Nadal. The world #9 has never lost to Nishikori in seven matches. The last time they met was in the final of Madrid last year where Nishikori was dominant before suffering an injury that eventually forced him to retire.
What to expect: Nadal will play the game that has made him so successful. Expect heavy top spin balls to push Nishikori to the back of the court and bring the short ball for Rafa to attack. Nishikori will try to get on the front foot by playing to Nadal’s stronger win to open up the backhand down the line. It will be a key shot in this match, so look out for it.
Prediction: The Japanese should have won in their last meeting and that was on clay. Nishikori is in the better form, so this time I expect him to finally get his first victory over the Spaniard.
Nishikori in 3.
Andy Murray vs Jo Wilfried Tsonga
The final match of the day will be a repeat of last years quarterfinal as Jo Wilfried Tsonga looks for a 2014 repeat against second seed Andy Murray.
After his struggles last season, Murray is rejuvenated and has made yet another quarterfinal. The Brit has not dropped a set so far, defeating Tommy Robredo and Gilles Muller in his opening two matches. Murray put on a fine display to defeat Muller 6-3 6-2 in his most recent outing.
It has not been as smooth sailing for Tsonga, but the Frenchman has done what he has needed to get to this stage. The defending champion had to come from behind to defeat Roberto Bautista Agut in round two before dispatching an in form Bernard Tomic in straight sets 7-6 6-3.
Head to head: Murray leads 11-3 including a victory at the Davis Cup last month. Significantly, Tsonga did win their meeting in Toronto last year, but it generally reads well for the Brit.
What to expect: Tsonga will look to use his power and all court prowess to blast Murray off the court. The serve will be key for the Frenchman as Murray is one of the best returners on tour. The Scot will look to counter that power to put the Frenchman on the defensive and exploit the weak backhand.
Prediction: Tsonga got one up on Murray at this event last year but in general it is a terrible match-up for the defending champion. The world #3 should come through this one, most likely in two tight sets.
Murray in 2.
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