Ricky’s Picks For The Wimbledon Men’s Quarterfinals, Including Federer vs. Nishikori And Nadal vs. Querrey

Predictable Monday: Men’s matches go as expected, women provide the drama at Wimbledon

 

By Ricky Dimon

 

The men’s quarterfinal lineup will take center stage on Wednesday. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic are all in action. The most surprising matchup pits Roberto Bautista Agut against Guido Pella.

 

Ricky previews all four matches and makes his predictions.

 

(8) Kei Nishikori vs. (2) Roger Federer

In his last four Grand Slam matches the Big 3 dating back to Wimbledon last summer, Nishikori has been wiped off the court. He got one set off Djokovic during the 2018 Wimbledon QFs but dropped the other three sets 6-3, 6-2, and 6-2. He lost to Djokovic 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in the U.S. Open SFs, retired against Djokovic in the Australian Open QFs while trailing 6-1, 4-1, and Nadal erased him 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in the French Open QFs.

Now it is Federer’s turn, and it comes at the Swiss’ All-England Club stomping grounds. The eight-time Wimbledon champion has coasted so far and he most recently thrashed a previously red-hot Matteo Berrettini 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 on Manic Monday.

Pick: Federer in 3

 

Sam Querrey vs. (3) Rafael Nadal

Nadal vs. Nick Kyrgios turned out to be what is still the best match of the tournament. But Querrey is not quite Kyrgios; at least he’s not an Against-Nadal-Kyrgios. The big-serving American should be somewhat competitive, as he has been broken only once through four rounds and is making his third quarterfinal appearance in his last four trips to Wimbledon.

But other than against Kyrgios, Nadal has been crushing opponents. Querrey, on the other hand, is coming off a tough fourth-rounder against Tennys Sandgren–a grass-court result that is less than encouraging, it has to be said. As dangerous as Querrey is, this is Nadal’s match to win or lose…and he’ll win it.

Prediction: Nadal in 3

 

(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (21) David Goffin

Of Wednesday’s three matches that feature the Big 3, this one will likely be the most competitive. It is true that the world No. 1 has mostly rolled so far at the All-England Club, but he needed four sets against Hubert Hurkacz in round two and the first two set scores were 7-5, 6-7(5).

Goffin was dominant through two rounds and then scored impressive wins over Daniil Medvedev and Fernando Verdasco. The diminutive Belgian won his most recent meeting with Djokovic at the 2017 Monte-Carlo Masters. Djokovic still leads the head-to-head series 5-1 and will almost certainly prevail this time around, but Goffin should make most of the sets interesting.

Pick: Djokovic in 3

 

(26) Guido Pella vs. (23) Roberto Bautista Agut

Bautista Agut has benefited from a goo draw, but he shouldn’t have to apologize. The Spaniard has been in ruthless form the whole, and he at least crushed No. 10 seed Karen Khachanov in round three. RBA is 12-0 in total sets so far at Wimbledon and only Khachanov has managed to force a tiebreaker.

Pella is making a quick turnaround after recovering from two sets down to stun Milos Raonic in a thrilling five-setter on Monday. It has been an amazing run for the Argentine lefty, but it likely ends here. Bautista Agut is red hot, and other than the Big 3 there is arguably no one better at taking out an opponent’s legs.

Prediction: Bautista Agut in 3

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.