We’re into the last eight, who will prevail – dodgy guesswork coming up.
WOMEN
Coco Vandeweghe vs Garbine Muguruza
I’ll admit I know little of Vandeweghe, who ousted defending champ with an almost nonchalant demeanour. She has big groundstrokes and, if she stays fearless could cause Garbine issues.
Muguruza, unlike Kerber is an aggressive ball striker too though, and bar any mental wandering, is looking too good not to progress at this point.
Verdict: Muguruza in 2
Venus Williams vs Anastasia Pavluychenkova
Venus has ghosted past my radar the past week; Pavluychenkova will be buoyed by the straight sets win iver Kuznetsova in the previous round. It could be anyone’s this, but I will stick with Venus in a heart-over-head moment.
Verdict: Venus in 3
Karolina Pliskova vs Mirjana Lucic-Baroni
Lucic-Baroni has been the revelation on the women’s side representing the non-Williams golden oldie, a role dominated by the Italians these last five years or so. But in Pliskova she faces Miss Consistency, a robotic microcosm of classy grace blended with ruthless power and accuracy.
Verdict: Pliskova in 2
Serena Williams vs Johanna Konta – ***PICK OF THE ROUND***
In what is sure to be a firecracker of a match, the two form players of the tournament meet for the first time. With no previous formbook to go by, it is a potentially dangerous hurdle for Williams. Konta has shown herself to be fearless and downright authoritative in her victories.
Verdict: Konta in 3
MEN
Roger Federer vs Mischa Zverev
It was supposed to be so different, Andy Murray’s conqueror Zverev Snr wasn’t supposed to halt the World Number 1’s march to the title here. Neither was the little-fancied Swiss come this QF fixture.
Instead, after the world number 50 dismissed the Scot with some sublime serve and volley aggression we are left with an altogether different proposition.
As good as Zverev was on Sunday, expect Roger to have too much.
Verdict: Federer in 3
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs Stanislas Wawrinka
In what is almostthe pick of the men’s QF – on sheer aesthetics alone – two old foes meet once more. If Federer were out already, then I’d be rooting for Tsonga 100% here, the former finalist here always had the talent to claim a slam, and in another era would have done so more than once.
Still, his best days are behind him and we are to enjoy his exuberance whilst we can.
As for Wawrinka? Well he will always blow hot and cold and never seems a surefire bet – but I fancy the Swiss is playing himself into form at just the right time a la Flushing Meadows 2016.
Whisper it, but it is Stan who should be the bookies favourite Swiss over the next week.
Verdict: Wawrinka in 4
Rafa Nadal vs Milos Raonic ***PICK OF THE ROUND***
The old guard against the young gun and face of the ‘next-gen’. Say what you will of what this means exactly for the future of the men’s game, but Raonic is certainly a force to be reckoned with and a genuine contender – if not a character like his opponent here.
Nadal will need all of his resolve and legendary defensive weapons firing to stand any chance here. I don’t see it.
Verdict: Raonic in 4
David Goffin vs Gregor Dimitrov
An intriguing little sleeper hit which will be very good to watch. Two attractive players with all the shots and some cheeky determination and flair vying for the big time at last.
Goffin has beaten all of the top dogs and can now finally step up. Dimitrov is back from his mini-wilderness and is looking composed and ready to return to everyone’s households.
A toughie.
Verdict: Dimitrov in 5
All Things Tennis 