“New Yorkers love it when you spill your guts out there. You spill your guts out at Wimbledon, and they make you stop and clean it up.” – Jimmy Connors.
It’s gut-check time for Roger Federer and the rest of Wimbledon’s “Gentlemen” as they battle it out in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Who’s bringing their mop and bucket to the court? Here’s the schedule:
WIMBLEDON: MEN’S QUARTERFINALS SCHEDULE
times BST (seedings in brackets)Centre Court – 1:00 p.m.
Ivo Karlovic (22) vs. Roger Federer (2)
Andy Murray (3) vs. Juan Carlos FerreroNo. 1 Court – 1:00 p.m.
Tommy Haas (24) vs. Novak Djokovic (4)
Lleyton Hewitt vs. Andy Roddick (6)
Karlovic vs. Federer: The head to head is 8-1, Federer, with Roger’s sole loss coming in Cincinnati in 2008. Roger’s beaten Ivo twice this year – in Indian Wells and Rome. They’ve met once on grass – at Wimbledon, 2004, with Roger winning in straights (two tiebreaks.) This is the Croatian’s first Major quarterfinals appearance. But before Fed Fans get too comfortable, consider the fact that the big serving Croat has not been broken this tournament (Roger’s been broken three times) and has served 137 aces (Roger’s served 59.)
Dr. Ivo also has a new mojo-rific, “spank that ace” victory dance. Horrifying:
Winner: I’m WAY too superstitious. The one time I picked Fed to win at GTT, he lost to Djokovic (Roger’s Cup, 2007). But if I see Dr. Ivo dancing like this on court tomorrow, I’ll need my own mop and bucket.
Murray vs. Ferrero. Head-to-head is 1-0, Murray, with their single meeting coming on grass a couple weeks ago in the Queen’s Club semis. Murray steamrolled the Spaniard 6-2, 6-4. Will Ferrero – an elderly (29 year-old) wildcard ranked 70 in the world – be Wimbledon’s answer to Robin Soderling? Or this year’s version of Goran Ivanisevic (the wildcard who broke British hearts by beating Tim Henman in the 2001 Wimbledon semis?) Um. . .only if Andy got a bad sunburn in training today:
Winner: AHN-day Murrr-AY! (I love saying it that way!)
Haas vs. Djokovic. Ooh! This is an attractive proposition! The head-to-head is 2-1 in Nole’s favor, but Haas just beat him in the finals of Halle, a grass court tune-up. Tommy is the oldest guy still left in the draw (31), played this year’s longest match at Wimbledon (4.5 hours against Cilic), and will probably catch the Swine Flu before the match (no joke – click here.). Then again, Novak could retire with ear cramps if the weather stays hot. So let’s just pop some popcorn, hope they’re both healthy and enjoy the drama! Winner: Djokovic
Lleyton Hewitt vs. Andy Roddick: Flashback to the early 2000s! This will be the 12th meeting of these former No. 1s, in a history that’s spanned from the 2001 Miami Masters to a couple weeks ago in the quarterfinals at Queen’s Club (which Andy won.) Hewitt holds the slight edge in their 6-5 head-to-head, but I defy even the most sadistic of Tennis Gods to squelch the much-anticipated Andy vs. Andy semifinal. Winner: AN-deee RAH-dick (nope, American just ain’t as fun as Scottish.)
How about you, seeing any bumps (or fevers, or obscene dancing) ahead?
Loading ...Tags: Djokovic, Federer, Ferrero, haas, Hewitt, Karlovic, Murray, Roddick, tennis, Wimbledon
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Ok, I’m far from comfortable about Federer’s match. Karlovic is dangerous on any surface and particularly on grass. I like Roger’s chances, but I think there’ll be a few tie breaks. I don’t like the thought of such a match at this stage.
Dr. Ivo is like the “whammy” in the draw – no one wants him! But someone has to take him on eventually. . .Roger sounds confident!
Your wrap up of the Hass Djokovic match up is hilarious but only because it is so true. I bet they keep the trainer busy during that match.
Hi Mudnessa! Glad you’re back. Hoping that Djokovic/Haas is a great match – it definitely has the right components.
I think I’m rooting for Tommy in this one. . .you?
I refuse to speculate on the Roger/Ivo match. Tennis Gods might be rubbing their hands up there.
Go, Tommy go! Let’s hear it for the good-lookin’ geriatrics.
I love how in tennis, Tommy is OLD OLD OLD!
Ivo’s victory dances are R-rated. Did you see the old lady in his box doing it ,too? LOL! Anyways, I am nervous for Roger, especially since Dr.Ivo is serving at 100%. I just hope RF can break early and hold serve so there will be NO TIEBREAKS. Go ROGER!
JFK! We could make a new movie: “There will be Tiebreaks” Oh yes. . .
I’m afraid for Roger tomorrow. But if anyone can break Ivo, it’s Fed.
Also, I think there’s going to be one upset, and it’s not going to be Fed. I’m thinking either Nole or Murray are going to get bounced out. But maybe that’s just because I’m hoping for a Federer v Roddick final.
Yeah, my fave final scoreline would be Fed/A-Rod 6-4 6-4 6-4.
acid test for ROGER tomorrow . . hope he comes out all guns blazing . .
what is very important from federer’s perspective would be how he serves . .
cant afford any single weak service game !
GO ROGER GOOO
no offence to Andy R but it feels like if he got to the end against Fed we all might as well watch a repeat of 2004/5…c’mon Murr-AY!
Routing for Haas, he has had so much bad luck that he deserves some good fortune in these “twilight” (!) years
Lmao over Novak’s “ear cramps”!!
Hope Roger comes through this one. I think Haas is going to win comfortably against Djoko. Semifinal would be tough one for Federer, Haas would be a tougher opponent than Djokovic in my mind. Tommy vs Roger , Andy vs Andy. Dream final would be Fed vs Roddick.. let’s see..
I agree … Haas has always given Roger trouble. French Open recently and I remember at the US Open he gave him a good run too. I think the fact that Roger has lost to Murray and Djokovic recently (sports commentators love harping on this) is irrelevant at this point because (1) Roger has regained his confidence and (2) Roger has never lost to Murray in a Slam and only lost to Djokovic when he had mono. Which is not to say that I think he’d roll over them, but certainly I’d expect him to bring his A game and win those.
Ooh, easy to talk when the mathes aren’t yet on the cards:-)
Roger will win against Karlovic and he will face Haas..though i would love for Roger to kick Chokeovic’s butt out of Wimby to further shut him up…dont know if his being assigned to Court nos 1 isnt humbling enough!lol!
I thought Roger looked great today. But it’s hard to judge anyone’s worn againstKarlovic. No rhythm. But his returns were first unbelievable today.