Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Wimbledon: Men's Quarterfinals

After two days of the round of 16 action, the quarterfinals are finally set on the men's side.  Five of the top 7 seeds are still around plus a pair of Germans and a Russian.  With Nadal out, we will have a surprise finalist from the bottom half but Djokovic and Federer are still on a collision course in the top half.  To most, the surprising result of the day was Ferrer easily defeating Del Potro in straight sets as the only remaining Spaniard in the draw continues to impress on all surfaces when not playing the top 4.  So here are the last eight:

1) Novak Djokovic (SRB) - 21st major quarterfinal (5th at Wimbledon), 15-5 record (3-1), 13th consecutive QF
3) Roger Federer (SUI) - 37th major quarterfinal (11th at Wimbledon), 31-5 record (7-3), 33rd consecutive QF
4) Andy Murray (GBR) - 13th major quarterfinal (5th at Wimbledon), 9-3 record (3-1), 7th consecutive QF
5) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) - 8th major quarterfinal (3rd at Wimbledon), 3-4 record (1-1), 2nd consecutive QF
7) David Ferrer (ESP) - 8th major quarterfinal (1st at Wimbledon), 3-4 record, 3rd consecutive QF
26) Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) - 5th major quarterfinal (1st at Wimbledon), 2-2 record, last '10 US Open
27) Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) - 1st major quarterfinal
31) Florian Mayer (GER) - 2nd major quarterfinal (2nd at Wimbledon), 0-1 record (0-1), last '04 Wimbledon

-The men have now combined to reach of total of 81 major quarterfinals compared to 62 for the women, so indeed it is closer than usual, which I believe shows the depth at the top of the women's game is increasing as the younger players become more consistent.
-Ferrer and Youzhny have now both reached the quarters at all four majors.
-I am happy for the veteran Kohlschreiber.  A solid top 30 or 40 player all these years and finally reaches a major QF.
-And I have to give it up for American qualifier Brian Baker.  After 6 years off tour, he qualified and reached the final in Nice, made the French Open 3rd round as a wildcard, and now reached the fourth round as qualifier before succumbing to Kohlschreiber.
-Djokovic, Murray, Tsonga, and Federer are repeat quarterfinalists from last year, while Nadal, Fish, Lopez, and Tomic weren't quite so fortunate.

Tomorrow's matchups:
Djokovic vs Mayer
Federer vs Youzhny
Murray vs Ferrer
Tsonga vs Kohlschreiber

I am going to revert to the usual format and include the women's semis with my stats and commentary with the men's tomorrow.  By now I am sure already know Azarenka, Radwanska, Serena, and Kerber have advanced.

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