Wimbledon: Quarter-Final Predictions for Day 9

Andy Murray

I have been totally gripped by today's womens quarter-finals so I apologise for another limited preview.  I am on holiday for the rest of the week so will have a lot more time to do my previews and get my report up from my day at Wimbledon yesterday :-)

Andy Murray v David Ferrer

Andy Murray finally got his 4th round match with Marin Cilic finished on Tuesday after it was suspended due to rain on Monday.  He played extremely well in the final two sets although was aided by a tiring Cilic who was clearly a spent force following his epic match with Sam Querrey in the third round.  David Ferrer produced a superb performance to reach his first ever Wimbledon quarter-final as he completely overwhelmed Juan Martin Del Potro, 6-3 6-2 6-3.

Ferrer beat Murray on the clay at Roland Garros in four sets, but the match-up is a different prospect on the grass.  Murray has not played his best so far, but he has been steadily improving throughout the tournament and i'm sensing that he might be peaking at the right time.  Ferrer continues to thwart all my predictions, but has truly been fantastic so far.  Once again i'm going against Ferrer (I never learn!) and believe that Murray will dig deep to make the semi-finals.

Prediction - Murray to beat Ferrer in 4 sets

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga v Philipp Kohlschreiber

The quarter-final that will receive the least attention is actually rather exciting to me with last years semi-finalist, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga set to take on Philipp Kohlschreiber.  Tsonga recovered from the loss of the first set and fought past back problems to beat Mardy Fish in the 4th round, 4-6 7-6 6-4 6-4.  Kohlschreiber continued to take advantage of the opening in the draw left by Rafael Nadal as he put to bed the incredible efforts of the American qualifier, Brian Baker in straight sets.  

Tsonga has won his last four matches with the German in straight sets, but I think this will be a much tighter affair.  Kohlschreiber was hitting the ball beautifully in practice yesterday, but I believe if he did get into a position to win this match, he would not be able to handle the pressure however well he is playing.

Prediction - Tsonga to beat Kohlschreiber in 4 tight sets

Best of the rest:   

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer both have straightforward matches on paper, but this years Wimbledon has thrown up a number of upsets so you never know! Roger Federer plays Mikhail Youzhny on Centre Court; Federer leads their head-to-head by 13 wins to 0 so a Youzhny win would be rather a cataclysmic result. Djokovic will probably have a trickier match against Florian Mayer, who has a unique game style.  He surprised Richard Gasquet in a four set win in the 4th round and has absolutely nothing to lose against Djokovic.

Quarter-Final Predictions

Federer to dance past Youzhny in 3 sets

Djokovic to beat Mayer in 3 sets

As my title pick is out, i'm now backing Djokovic to win!

Wimbledon: Quarter-Final Predictions for Day 8

Petra Kvitova

I have just spent an exciting day at Wimbledon today (report/photos to follow in the coming days!!!) so I have limited time to do my quarter-final preview for the womens but here we go....

Serena Williams v Petra Kvitova

All year I have been waiting to see this match and FINALLY it has happened... Serena vs Kvitova! Both players had extremely tough matches today as Serena fought past the rapidly rising Kazakh wildcard, Yaroslava Shvedova, 6-1 2-6 7-5.  Kvitova recovered from a set and a break down to defeat Francesca Schiavone, 4-6 7-5 6-1.  

The last encounter between Serena and Kvitova took place in the Wimbledon semi-finals two years ago where Kvitova was still a relatively unknown face and went down fighting, 7-6 6-2.  Kvitova is a much more experienced player now and has improved her game in leaps and bounds.  I have had a feeling from the start of the tournament that Kvitova would beat Serena and not for one minute will I be changing my mind now!

Prediction - Kvitova to beat Serena in 2 very tight sets

Sabine Lisicki v Angelique Kerber

The Centre Court crowd have a smashing line-up of womens matches tomorrow with an all-German clash between Kerber and Lisicki closing the line-up.  Lisicki was stunning in her giant-killing upset of Maria Sharapova, 6-4 6-3, meanwhile Kerber was equally impressive as she destroyed Kim Clijsters, 6-1 6-1.  The scoreline reminds me of the time when Nadia Petrova completely stunned Clijsters at the Australian Open, but I did not have the chance to watch the match although it sounds like Kerber was on fire.  

Kerber has been the in-form player throughout 2012 and I cannot compliment her enough on her consistency at the last two Grand Slams; however Lisicki just loves the grass courts of Wimbledon and has raised her game to the level that took her to the semi-finals last year.  Kerber leads the head-to-head 4-0 but that can be put to one side with Lisicki's form on her grass.  I anticipate a great match, but i'm going for Kerber to edge it...

Prediction - Kerber to beat Lisicki in 3 sets

Best of the rest: 

Just like Lisicki, Tamira Paszek has come alive to match her performance of last year; funnily enough she faces the same opponent she did in last year's quarter-finals, Victoria Azarenka.  Both players were dominant winners today although Azarenka was the most impressive player on show with a 6-1 6-0 demolition of Ana Ivanovic.  The final quarter-final will see Agnieszka Radwanska take on Maria Kirilenko.  The top half will see a new Grand Slam finalist, meanwhile the bottom half is packed with the Grand Slam champions; the womens draw is finely poised for a terrific ending!!!!

Predictions:

Victoria Azarenka to beat Tamira Paszek in 2 sets (tighter than last year's quarter final!)

Agnieszka Radwanska to beat Maria Kirilenko in 3 sets

Wimbledon: 4th Round Predictions for Day 7

The Top 4 Womens matches on Day 7

Angelique Kerber

1. Kim Clijsters v Angelique Kerber

For tennis fans who follow the game all year round, I think there will be some surprise to see the match between Kim Clijsters and Angelique Kerber shunted out on court three.  I think this has the potential to be a sensational match with Clijsters appearing in her final ever Wimbledon up against the breakthrough player of 2012.  Clijsters has made serene progress through the draw and benefited from a retirement by Vera Zvonareva midway during their third round.  Kerber too has been impressive and has yet to lose a set against three dangerous opponents.  The two have never played before but with Clijsters' attacking intent and Kerber's superb defensive skills, I think it will be a great match and a tough one to call too...

Prediction - Kerber to beat Clijsters in 3 sets

2. Maria Sharapova v Sabine Lisicki

A rematch of last year's Wimbledon semi-final will take to court one as the world number one, Maria Sharapova takes on the German firecracker, Sabine Lisicki.  The semi-final between these two last year was not a classic with Sharapova winning in straight sets, but their last encounter at the start of the year at the Australian Open was much more competitive with Sharapova prevailing in three sets.  Sharapova has looked in good form so far, overcoming her most dangerous obstacle in round two where she lost the middle set of her match with Tsvetana Pironkova before prevailing in three.  Lisicki has fought hard to reach the last 16 as she snapped a five match losing streak in round one before winning two tough three setters against Bojana Jovanovski and Sloane Stephens.  If Lisicki is to win this match, she has to really go for her shots.  In Australia, she backed off in the final set and that was ultimately her undoing.

Prediction - Sharapova to beat Lisicki in 2 tight sets

3. Victoria Azarenka v Ana Ivanovic

Ana Ivanovic

The Centre Court match will surprise a few with the Australian Open champion, Victoria Azarenka taking on Ana Ivanovic.  Azarenka has eased through the draw and has yet to play anyone in the top 75.  Ivanovic has produced some gritty performances to make this stage winning a tough match against the serve-and-volleying, Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in the first round round and then beating Julia Goerges in round three where she recovered well from losing the first set.  The head-to-head is two all with Azarenka winning their last match in Madrid earlier this year.  Ivanovic has run several of the top players close but has been unable to assert her authority at the key times... I expect more of the same here.

Prediction - Azarenka to beat Ivanovic in 3 sets

4. Francesca Schiavone v Petra Kvitova

The defending champion has been relegated out to court three in what should be another stunning 4th round ladies match.  I love magic monday but when so many classy matches are relegated to lower courts it does beg the question whether play on a middle Sunday should be introduced! Petra Kvitova is looking back to her 2011 Wimbledon form as she demolished Varvara Lepchenko, 6-1 6-0 in the third round.  Schiavone was equally impressive in dispatching the dangerous, Klara Zakopalova in straight sets.  Kvitova has won both her matches with Schiavone this year in straight sets, but the Italian always offers up something different with her tricky slices and ability to do wonders at the net.  I give the edge to Kvitova, but some Schiavone magic is certainly possible...

Prediction - Kvitova to beat Schiavone in 2 tight sets

The Top 4 Mens matches on Day 7

Juan Martin Del Potro

1. David Ferrer v Juan Martin Del Potro

Court no.1 has what I consider to be the most exciting on paper between David Ferrer and Juan Martin Del Potro.  I run out of superlatives to describe Ferrer who has managed to draw so much out of his game through tireless hard work.  He was at his best to fend off Andy Roddick in 4 sets in the third round.  Del Potro is gathering pace once again as he extinguished the hopes of Kei Nishikori in straight sets.  Two contrasting styles of play have made for two excellent matches in their most recent encounters; Ferrer won both of them including a 6-3 6-3 win in Miami, which was one of his most impressive performances of 2012 so far.  On paper you would go for Del Potro with his thumping serve and groundstrokes, but write off Ferrer at your peril! I'm going for Del Potro, but would not be surprised at all to see Ferrer keep winning.

Prediction - Del Potro to beat Ferrer in 5 sets

2. Marin Cilic v Andy Murray

Andy Murray worked wonders to finish his third round match with Marcos Baghdatis before the 11pm curfew at Wimbledon last night; the match finished at 11.02 largely thanks to Baghdatis who collapsed in the fourth set.  His opponent will be the Queens champion, Marin Cilic who came through an absolute epic against Sam Querrey.  It was the second longest match in Wimbledon history with Cilic prevailing, 7-6 6-4 6-7 6-7 17-15.  Cilic has a great game for the grass and will be another considerable test for Murray.  I think Murray is playing well at the moment, but is still some way from his best, which he will need to be to have any chance of claiming his first Grand Slam title in one week's time.  

Prediction - Murray to beat Cilic in 4 sets

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

3. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga v Mardy Fish

When these two last faced off at the ATP World Tour Finals, they were two of the in-form players on the tour; however things have been tough for both in 2012.  Mardy Fish had heart surgery earlier this year to cure a form of arrhythmia, which resulted in extreme heart palpitations that would wake him in the middle of the night.  This has made his performances this week even more astonishing as he beat David Goffin in straight sets yesterday to make the second week.  Jo-Wilfried Tsonga too has struggled with his form in 2012, but looks to be building up another big challenge on his favourite surface.  This has all the makings for a classic match, but I think Fish's fairytale run will end here...

Prediction - Tsonga to beat Fish in 4 sets

4. Novak Djokovic v Viktor Troicki 

An all-Serbian clash between Novak Djokovic and Viktor Troicki will take to Centre Court on Magic Monday.  Djokovic has probably been the least troubled of the big names so far as he was impressive in his second round match against Ryan Harrison and recovered well from the loss of the first set to defeat Radek Stepanek, 4-6 6-2 6-2 6-2 in the third round.  Troicki has been completely off-the-radar for the last year, but has come through some tough matches to reach the second week.  He has had some epic matches with his compatriot in recent years although their most recent ones have been predominantly one-sided.  I cannot see Troicki giving Djokovic much of a scare in this one...

Prediction - Djokovic to beat Troicki in 3 sets

Serena Williams

Best of the rest: womens

Serena Williams will be wary of the threat of Yaroslava Shvedova who produced an astonishing golden set on her way to a 6-0 6-4 win over Sara Errani.  Agnieszka Radwanska too should not underestimate her opponent, Camila Giorgi who stunned both Flavia Pennetta and Nadia Petrova in straight sets this week.  The final two matches will see Maria Kirilenko take on Peng Shuai, and Tamira Paszek play Roberta Vinci.  The Paszek/Vinci match should be a great one with two contrasting styles on show.

WTA R4 Predictions

S Williams to beat Shvedova in 2 very tight sets

Radwanska to beat Giorgi in 3 sets

Kirilenko to beat Peng in 2 sets

Paszek to beat Vinci in 2 sets

Best of the rest: mens

Roger Federer is first up on Centre Court as he takes on Xavier Malisse.  Philipp Kohlschreiber and Brian Baker will square off for an unexpected quarter-final place with Rafael Nadal's shock early exit.  An interesting match will take to court three between Richard Gasquet and Florian Mayer, and finally Mikhail Youzhny will take on Denis Istomin with the winner most likely to face Federer in the quarter-finals.

ATP R4 Predictions

Federer to beat Malisse in 3 sets

Kohlschreiber to beat Baker in 4 sets

Gasquet to beat Mayer in 3 sets

Youzhny to beat Istomin in 5 sets

I have No.1 court tickets for tomorrow but i'm gutted to see the forecast... if i'm lucky I might get to see a little bit of Sharapova/Lisicki but I don't have my hopes too high :-(