After Sunday play finally allowed a round of 16 on the men’s side to be determined, we’ll have eight men’s matches on manic Monday at Wimbledon, including Murray vs. Kyrgios. With Novak Djokovic out of the draw, the top half has opened up for the likes of Milos Raonic, and Roger Federer, while some new names such as Jiri Vesely and Lucas Pouille are looking to further their surprise success. Our panel of Steen Kirby, Yesh Ginsburg, and Manuel Traquete offer their previews and predictions.
Sam Querrey vs. Nicolas Mahut
Steen: Mahut beat Querrey in Den Bosch, and he’s been playing well throughout this tournament, all be it under the radar. Querrey of course stunned #1 Djokovic for the win of his career, and he did so in surprisingly confident and easy fashion. Although I don’t think Querrey will disappear in this match, and in fact should compete hard, Mahut is actually the favorite for a reason. Mahut in 4 sets
Yesh: Following up a huge win is never easy, but Querrey got a break with having Mahut upset his way to this round. Mahut is no grass slouch, but Querrey should win this with the way he played Friday and Saturday. Querrey in 3
Manuel: Querrey is fresh off one of the biggest upsets in recent history and now has a chance to reach his first ever Slam quarterfinal. But history suggests that players tend to falter at the next hurdle after such monumental upsets and, as if that was not enough, Mahut is a seasoned grass court player, who recently beat Querrey on the surface in Rosmalen. He too will be looking to make his first ever Slam quarterfinal, at 34 years of age, and he’s the slight favorite to do so. Mahut in 4
David Goffin vs. Milos Raonic
Steen: Goffin has been playing well, but Raonic has been on another level. His play through the first three roudns has been out of this world, and if he continues to serve up rockets, mixed with crisp volleys and aggressive play, he should win this match, despite the Belgian’s best efforts. Goffin doesn’t have the size and strength to match Raonic in his current form. Raonic in 3 sets
Yesh: Raonic looks in good form, but something about Goffin’s consistency makes me very nervous about picking him this match. Goffin in 5
Manuel: Raonic has been cruising so far in the tournament and hasnt’t been broken yet. With Djokovic out of the equation, he’ll fancy his chances of another Wimbledon semifinal, maybe even final. Goffin’s return game is far better than anyone the Canadian has faced so far, but grass is far from the Belgian’s favorite surface. An upset is possible, but Raonic’s serve is likely to prove too much to handle. Raonic in 4
Roger Federer vs. Steve Johnson
Steen: Federer hasn’t dropped a set this Wimbledon and things are looking up with Djokovic out of the tournament. Still, Johnson is by far the best opponent he’s faced thus far, and the American has momentum of his own after a win over Grigor Dimitrov extended his winning streak on grass to eight matches. Johnson will test Federer more than expected, but the Swiss has the skill and the experience to prevail when pushed. Federer in 4 sets
Yesh: Federer has not yet been challenged this tournament, which isn’t always a benefit. Steve Johnson has an amazing slice on these grass courts, but Federer is a pure enough hitter that he can handle anything the American throws at him. Federer in 3
Manuel: The biggest mismatch of the round, anything other than Federer in 3 would be a massive surprise. Despite his recent woes, Federer will be confident of his chances of winning another Slam with Djokovic out of the way for once. Federer in 3
Marin Cilic vs. Kei Nishikori
Steen: Watch out for this US Open final rematch, as Cilic is showing off some great form on the grass, and Nishikori has been steadily moving through the tournament in his own right. Both players are possible dark horses and Cilic’s power will test Kei. He has a higher level of peak play, as we saw in that US Open final, but Nishikori is more consistent, and I have a feeling he wants to win this match bad enough to play his best tennis. Nishikori in 5 sets
Yesh: This rematch of the 2014 US Open final could be a good one, but Cilic is just better on grass. Cilic in 4
Manuel: A rematch of the 2014 US Open final, only this time both players have cruised in the tournament and should be fresh, meaning the match should be far more competitive. With that said, even if Nishikori leads the head to head 7-3, it’s safe to assume grass favors Cilic in this matchup and he should be considered the slight favorite in what could well be the closest encounter of the round. US Open final and Barcelona 2014 aside, matches between these two tend to be very competitive. Cilic in 5
Jiri Vesely vs. Tomas Berdych
Steen: Vesely stunned Dominic Thiem and then won a confident victory on Sunday to setup this contest with Berdych. The young Czech gets far less fan fare than both other players his age, and his countryman Berdych. Still he’s a great player in his own right, and Berdych is vulnerable. Coming off a big win over Alex Zverev though, I have to go with the experience of Berdych to win the day. Berdych in 4 sets
Yesh: Vesely did well to get here and plays a similar game to Berdych, but Berdych just does it better. When those kind of matchups happen, it often gets lopsided quickly. Berdych in 3
Manuel: Vesely has had quite a run so far at Wimbledon, reaching R4 of a Slam for the first time, beating Thiem and Sousa in the process. His compatriot Berdych, however, is likely to prove one step too far for Vesely. Berdych remains as consistent as ever and will likely have booked a place in his 3rd quartefinal of the year at the Slams by the end of tomorrow with his typically clean, powerful game. Berdych in 3
Bernard Tomic vs. Lucas Pouille
Steen: You never know with Tomic, but he notched a comprehensive win over Roberto Bautista Agut in the previous round, after looking shaky at times in his first two matches. The young Aussie is still at his best on grass. Pouille stunned Juan Martin Del Potro, and is the biggest surprise in terms of players in the round of 16. Pouille is better than advertised, and I don’t entirely trust Tomic, but it’s still a grass court match. Tomic in 4 sets
Yesh: I really like what Pouille has done this tournament. He plays with a tactical precision that will suit him very will against a rhythm-stealing player like Tomic. Pouille in 4
Manuel: Tomic first reached a Slam QF at Wimbledon 2011 at the age of 18. Many thought at the time it’d be the first of many, but the reality is he’s still looking for a second. The good news for him is that he’ll be the favorite for this match, especially after his great display against Bautista Agut in round 3. But Pouille is having a breakout year and played very well himself to beat del Potro, he will certainly not make it easy for Tomic here, though the Aussie should eventually prevail. Tomic in 4
Richard Gasquet vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Steen: Gasquet and Tsonga should battle it out in this one. Gasquet has been playing some of the best tennis of his career in recent months, while Tsonga is an attacking force that fans love. He comes off a grueling five setter with marathon man John Isner, who he narrowly defeated 19-17 in the 5th set, and could be somewhat fatigued. I’m going to stick with Gasquet as he’s been consistent recently. Gasquet in 4 sets
Yesh: Can Tsonga keep up his massive serving and first-strike tennis against a much better defender than John Isner? I’m guessing no, but if he can then there might not be anyone left in the draw who can beat him. Gasquet in 4
Manuel: Gasquet has been pretty underwhelming thus far at Wimbledon, struggling a lot to make round 4 despite a very easy draw featuring only clay specialists. Under normal circumstances, Tsonga would look like a safe bet here, but he’s been the latest victim of Isner’s Slam 5-set marathons and one can only guess how fresh he will be for this one. If he manages to recover well, though, he should make it into the quarterfinals. Tsonga in 4
Nick Kyrgios vs. Andy Murray
Steen: Despite Kyrgios playing well against Feliciano Lopez to reach the 4th round, he’s still never beaten Murray, and he’s faced three serve and volleyers, prior to facing a great baseline returner in Murray. The Brit is probably the tournament favorite with Djokovic out, that adds pressure, but it’s already his home slam and I don’t think he’ll let himself get tripped up this early. Murray should turn it on to put away Kyrgios. Murray in 4 sets
Yesh: Murray has an amazing ability to read any serve, which will neutralize Kyrgios’ biggest weapon. This will be a fun match for lip-readers, that’s for sure. Murray in 4
Manuel: Kyrgios was given a very tough first week draw, but he passed with flying colors, beating very competent grass court players in Stepanek, Brown and Lopez to reach this stage, despite droppign 4 sets on the way. Up next for him, though, is a man he never beat and has lost to at the other 3 Slams last year. Murray will also be fancying his chances of recaputing the Wimbledon trophy, with Djokovic out of the way, and will be looking to make quick work of an opponent he feels quite comfortable playing against. Bar an incredible serving display for Kyrgios, this one should go to Murray. Murray in 4
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