The Wimbledon quarterfinals for 2019 feature the big three names in men’s tennis, Roger Federer (vs Kei Nishikori), Novak Djokovic (vs David Goffin), and Rafael Nadal (vs Sam Querrey) seeking semifinal berths. Additionally Argentine upstart looks to continue his surprising run against Roberto Bautista Agut. Our panelists Yesh Ginsburg and Harsh Bhoot offer their predictions.
Guido Pella vs Roberto Bautista Agut
Yesh: Guido Pella pulled off an incredible comeback to take out Milos Raonic. He’ll take on Roberto Bautista Agut, a player I have consistently underrated so far this tournament. I won’t underrate him here, though. Pella will be exhausted and outmatched against Bautista Agut, who looks very strong. Bautista Agut in 3
Harsh: Guido Pella just can’t seem to lose at this year’s Wimbledon. He won a marathon match coming from two sets and a break down against one of the biggest servers on tour in Raonic. The Argentine now takes on Bautista Agut in their first ever meeting on grass. Playing long matches takes its toll and Pella is on the wrong side of that. The Spaniard on the other hand is yet to drop a set and looks slightly fresher to end Pella’s dream run. Bautista Agut in 5
Rafael Nadal vs Sam Querrey
Yesh: Querrey has a history taking out top seeds at this tournament. He’s comfortable on the grass, and his serve can be untouchable. Nadal’s serve, meanwhile, has also been untouchable this tournament. There will be tiebreaks in this match. Expect those to be decided by Nadal going after Querrey’s backhand, which is definitely a weakness. Nadal in 4
Harsh: Sam Querrey has all the ingredients required to trouble Rafa on grass. A big serve and an aggressive brand of tennis should give Querrey more than a fighting chance. However, Rafa has countered time and time again with his own brand of first strike tennis. Since his win over Kyrgios, the Spaniard has looked menacing and should be favoured in long rallies. The match looks really tight and at pressure points Rafa looks slightly more secure. Nadal in 4
Kei Nishikori vs Roger Federer
Yesh: Nishikori has looked pretty solid this tournament, but that has nothing on what Roger Federer just did to Matteo Berrettini. If Federer keeps up his current form, no one in the world can beat him on grass. And I mean no one. Federer in 3
Harsh: Federer looked so supreme in dispatching young Berrettini in three easy sets. The Japanese star, Nishikori has done extremely well to reach the last eight but he now faces a very stern test. Federer won the solitary match they played on grass at Halle albeit five years ago. Nishikori has the baseline game to match any player but Federer’s more adept at the net. Nishikori can make a real match out of it if he serves well but the Swiss Maestro can’t be bogged down for too long here at Wimbledon. Federer in 4
Novak Djokovic vs David Goffin
Yesh: Goffin is a solid and consistent player, who has done well to get this far. It takes a ton more than just “solid and consistent” to challenge Djokovic, though. Djokovic in 3
Harsh: Djokovic should be pleased with the way he’s been progressing so far. The Serb has looked in control and he’d fancy taking on David Goffin. The Belgian has had an exceptional grass court season reaching the final at Halle earlier. Djokovic has the bigger serve and would be looking to dictate majority of the rallies. Goffin is a solid baseliner but not enough to topple the World No. 1. Djokovic in 3
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