It’s time for the best tennis day of the season, manic Monday at Wimbledon, the 16 remaining men are all in action, including the big four Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. The most competitive contest of the day should feature Milos Raonic against Alexander Zverev. Our panelists Steen Kirby, Yesh Ginsburg, and Brett Margolies are on hand to offer their previews, with predictions.
(1)Andy Murray vs. Benoit Paire
Steen: Murray struggled a bit against Fabio Fognini, and Paire is another wonky player that can pull an upset, but he lacks the consistency to do so on grass, and the world #1 should continue on. Murray in 3
Yesh: This is a nice run from a usually-inconsistent player, but Paire doesn’t have what it takes to challenge Murray on grass. Murray in 3
Brett: For the fourth straight match, Andy Murray is facing an opponent who you just don’t know what you’ll get on any given day. He hasn’t had any problem with the first three so I don’t see much changing. Look for Murray to move on in dominant fashion. Murray in 3
(24)Sam Querrey vs. Kevin Anderson
Steen: This should be a very close match that will likely last a while given both players have lethal serves on grass, and weaker return games. Querrey really enjoys Wimbledon and his form has been good, but Anderson does too, and his game should be a bit more sturdy. Anderson in 5
Yesh: Querrey was a quarterfinalist here last year and, after getting through Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in just one game on Saturday (continued from Friday), he should be able to match that accomplishment. Querrey in 3
Brett: This is a great opportunity for both of these players to reach the quarterfinals of a major. It’s hard to pick against Querrey after his upset win over Tsonga, but I think Kevin Anderson has just been playing too solid. Look for him to reach the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the first time in his career. Anderson in 4
(4)Rafael Nadal vs. (16)Gilles Muller
Steen: Nadal has a great h2h vs Muller, and he has yet to drop a set. Muller is performing great at his age, and his serve and volley is tricky on grass, but Nadal should keep him on his back foot and get the win here. Nadal in 4
Yesh: Muller has the perfect game to beat Nadal on grass–if he can keep his nerves in check. He might blow a set or two, but this match should be firmly on his racket. Muller in 4
Brett: I don’t think there’s a player on tour who’s had a more successful grass season than Gilles Muller. After winning Hertogenbosch and making a deep semifinal run in Queens he faces his toughest opponent yet in Rafael Nadal. He beat Nadal twelve years ago at Wimbledon, but don’t think he’ll be able to do it Monday as Nadal is just playing too good right now. Nadal in 4
(7)Marin Cilic vs. (18)Roberto Bautista Agut
Steen: On grass RBA should be a clear underdog, despite his upset of Nishikori in round 3. Cilic has looked good enough through three matches to potentially win his second Grand Slam, he should win this one easily enough with his power. Cilic in 3
Yesh: Bautista-Agut looks great on the grass, especially in his dominant win over Kei Nishikori. Wimbledon might soon be his favorite Slam. Bautista Agut in 4
Brett: I don’t think many people expected RBA to knock Nishikori out in the 3rd round, but the Spaniard defeated the 9th seed in four sets and now faces the 7th seed Marin Cilic. He has a win over Cilic at the Australian Open in 2016, but Marin Cilic hasn’t lost a set yet all tournament and I think that will continue on Monday. Cilic in 3
(6)Milos Raonic vs. (10)Alexander Zverev
Steen: The defending finalist Raonic should be a minor favorite after dropping one set in three matches. I’ll back the young gun Zverev though, he’s playing in his first ever second week at a slam and didn’t drop a set in three matches. He has the power and all-around game to break Raonic and grab a win. Zverev in 5
Yesh: Raonic has the huge serve, and enough of an all-court game to back it up. Zverev has talent but I think it will take him some time to learn how to beat players like Raonic on grass. Raonic in 4
Brett: This one seems like a complete toss up to me. If your going by form, Alexander Zverev has the edge but Raonic was a finalist last year. Even though Zverev is ranked #12 he hasn’t recorded a big slam victory in his career and beating Raonic will give him his first. Look for Zverev to serve well, and move on to the quarterfinals for the first time in his young career. Zverev in 5
(3)Roger Federer vs. (13)Grigor Dimitrov
Steen: Federer has never lost to Dimitrov and looks fit and firing. Dimitrov did make the second week to his credit, but he didn’t face a challenging draw to get there. Federer’s game is simply a better, more refined version of Dimitrov’s. Federer in 3
Yesh: What would Dimitrov have given for a chance like this in years past? The once-nicknamed “Baby Fed” has never really lived up to his talent. His style is too similar to Federer’s to beat the Maestro on any surface, let alone Federer’s favorite. Federer in 3
Brett: Grigor Dimitrov is one of those players where it seems like Federer is already ahead against before they even take the court. They’ve met five times with Federer winning all five. This is their first meeting on grass, but I don’t think that will change the result at all. He’ll give Federer his toughest test yet, but still won’t be enough. Federer in 4
(8)Dominic Thiem vs. (11)Tomas Berdych
Steen: Thiem has surprised me by making the second week. He’s dropped just a set and appears to have shaken off whatever was bothering him on grass in recent weeks. Berdych looked fantastic in the third round though, he should blister the ball hard enough to bother Thiem’s timing and notch the win, as long as he maintains his mental focus. Berdych in 4
Yesh: Berdych is still beasting on the grass. if he can stay mentally sharp, he may finally be in position to win a Slam. Berdych in 3
Brett: After struggling early on against Jared Donaldson, Thiem flipped the switch and got through in straight sets. He can’t afford to get off to a slow start like that against Berdych, I can see Berdych’s power game causing Thiem all sorts of trouble. Berdych in 5
(2)Novak Djokovic vs. Adrian Mannarino
Steen: Last year Djokovic beat Mannarino in straights at Wimbledon, Mannarino has battled hard to make a surprise week 2 appearance, but Djokovic should keep up his winning streak, having not dropped a set through seven matches on grass this year. Djokovic in 3
Yesh: Mannarino has never reached a Slam quarterfinal. This is a good run for him, but that won’t change this tournament. Djokovic in 3
Brett: I think this will be the most one sided round of 16 match on Monday. Mannarino played well in what was a weird match in his win over Gael Monfils, and Djokovic managed to get past a dangerous player in Gulbis. Mannarino’s style can be tricky on grass, but I expect Djokovic to be dialed in from the start and win comfortably. Djokovic in 3
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