Men's Quarterfinals: Preview and Predictions

The men’s tournament has given us a number of thrilling matches, but the results to this point have been mostly chalk. All of the unseeded players have been eliminated, and 6 of the top 8 seeds have made it to this round. This should make for some entertaining matches that are played at a very high level.

Roger Federer vs. Tomas Berdych:

Preview: This will be the first of the four men’s quarter finals, and promises to be one of the best. Federer continues to beat father time, and whichever opponent is in his path. He will show up tonight having won 12 of his 13 sets played this tournament, and riding a 5 match winning streak over Berdych. Tomas has had a difficult road to the quarters with a tough 3rd round win over home favorite Nick Kyrgios, and a tougher 5 set win over Bautista Agut in the round of 16. Berdych should be happy about playing during the day session because the ball should fly off his racket more than it would in heavier night conditions. I expect Berdych to be Federer’s biggest test to this point in the tournament, but for Federer to weather the storm and win his 6th straight over Tomas.

Prediction: Roger Federer

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Kei Nishikori vs. Novak Djockovic:

Preview: In my opinion, this will be by far the best match of the tournament. Novak is coming off a 5 set thriller against Gilles Simon in the round of 16, and Kei advanced to this round after a dominant dispatching of Jo Willie Tsonga in the round of 16. Novak should be fine fatigue wise considering he cruised through his first 3 rounds, but Kei got the better of him in their last meeting at a grand slam. Kei is one of the few guys that can really hit with the aggression and accuracy needed to effect Novak, so I’m expecting a long and tight contest. I’m leaning slightly toward Novak to advance, but this one has the potential to be the match of the year.

Prediction: Novak Djockovic

David Ferrer vs. Andy Murray:

Preview: This looks like the most one sided quarter final match. David Ferrer has made a living off playing every point like its his last, and comes into this match not having dropped a set this tournament, but this is just a horrible match up for him. Ferrer lacks the fire power needed to get the ball past a guy with Murray’s defensive abilities, and Ferrer’s serve is nowhere near where it needs to be to give him a chance against a returner like Murray. Andy comes into this one having beaten the Spaniard in 9 of their last 10 sets, and 7 of their last 8 head to head matches. I would be absolutely stunned to see Ferrer pull the upset in this one.

Prediction: Andy Murray

Next: (Women's Quarterfinal: Preview and Predictions)

Milos Raonic vs. Gael Monfils

Preview: This is the most shocking of the 4 quarterfinal match ups. Gael Monfils wasn’t a popular pick to get to this point, but the man deserves a lot of credit for taking care of business against weaker opposition. He hasn’t faced a seed to this point, but has won 12 of his 13 sets played this tournament. Things are about to get a lot tougher against one of the biggest serves in the game. Milos took out defending champion Wawrinka in a 5 setter last night, and looked great in the prior three rounds. Monfils should take some confidence in being 2-0 head to head against Raonic, but both of those matches came before Milos made his breakthrough. Monfils looks more focused than ever, but one little slip up on serve will probably cost Gael a set against Milos. I just don’t see him staying focused long enough to pull the upset, so I’m going with the Canadian to advance.

Prediction: Milos Raonic

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Men’s Quarterfinals: Preview and Predictions

By Leo Koukakis | Jan 25, 2016