Wimbledon Mens Quarter-Final Predictions, Day 9: Djokovic-Berdych, Ferrer-Del Potro and more

1. Novak Djokovic v Tomas Berdych

Novak Djokovic

The final two matches to grace a frantic and frenetic Magic Monday finished at almost exactly the same time as Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych confirmed their places in a quarter-final clash.  Djokovic has looked fantastic through his first four matches and overcame a few obstacles including dropping his serve for the first time in a 6-1 6-4 7-6(3) victory over Tommy Haas.  Berdych had a much tougher match as he defeated Bernard Tomic in 4 sets, 7-6(4) 6-7(5) 6-4 6-4.  The Aussie gave up a good fight, but lacked the firepower to hurt Berdych.  

Djokovic and Berdych have met on 15 occasions with Djokovic leading the head-to-head by 13 wins to 2; going in Berdych's favour is that the first of those wins was at Wimbledon in 2010 and the most recent one was their last match in Rome where Berdych made a rather miraculous comeback after Djokovic had served for the match.  This will be Djokovic's toughest match so far, but I would still fancy the world number one to come through, dropping his first set of the tournament.

Prediction - Djokovic to beat Berdych in 4 sets

2. David Ferrer v Juan Martin del Potro

The top half has actually held up with the seeding as David Ferrer and Juan Martin del Potro will meet at Wimbledon for the second consecutive year.  It could also be classed as a battle of the crocked as both have had their injury concerns throughout this tournament.  Ferrer has lost at least a set in each of his four matches and has been struggling with an ankle injury picked up in the first round.  Yesterday, he recovered from losing the first set to Ivan Dodig and eventually rolled to a 6-7(3) 7-6(6) 6-1 6-1 win.  Del Potro's participation yesterday was under threat due to a nasty knee injury he picked up in his third round match.  He was a comfortable winner though against Andreas Seppi, 6-4 7-6(2) 6-3.  This is a terrible match-up for Del Potro, who has lost his last four clashes with Ferrer.  Both are struggling, but I think Ferrer has produced a superhuman effort to remain in the competition.  He is the only French Open finalist to still be in Wimbledon and I think a first Wimbledon semi-final is looming...

Prediction - Ferrer to beat Del Potro in 4 sets

3. Fernando Verdasco v Andy Murray

Andy Murray

Mikhail Youzhny offered up some second set resistance, but Andy Murray delivered his very best with an attacking display in the tiebreak, which broke Youzhny's spirit.  Murray won 6-4 7-6(5) 6-1 and now plays the curiously resurgent, Fernando Verdasco, who continued his quite remarkable tournament with another straight sets win against Kenny De Schepper.  I just want to remind everyone that just four months ago, Verdasco lost to Jarkko Nieminen, 6-1 6-0 in Indian Wells.  His transformation has been most surprising, but good luck to the guy who now faces the ultimate challenge against Murray and the crowd.  Verdasco has one win under his belt over Murray, but eight losses as well.  Murray is still my tip to win the whole caboodle and I do not think Verdasco will have what it takes to spring another crazy upset.

Prediction - Murray to beat Verdasco in 3 tight sets

4. Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer  Lukasz Kubot v Jerzy Janowicz

The quarter that offered up the most intrigue when the draw was completed has been the most shocking as it has thrown up an all-Polish quarter-final between Lukasz Kubot and Jerzy Janowicz.  Janowicz was extremely impressive through the first three rounds, most notably taking out Nicolas Almagro in straight sets, but he had a few wobbles yesterday before eventually getting past Jurgen Melzer in 5 sets.  Kubot has had one walkover (from Steve Darcis) but did take out the Wimbledon-hating, Benoit Paire in a straight sets third round win.  Kubot, who is currently ranked at number 130 in the world rankings, had actually lost to Paire twice this year including at Roland Garros, which made Saturday's win all the more surprising.  This will be a first career meeting and respect to Kubot for making it this far, but I think Janowicz will be too strong in this encounter.

Prediction - Janowicz to beat Kubot in 4 sets