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.  

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…

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.