Ricky Dimon

• Wimbledon fourth-round expert picks

  2011-06-27 12:13:20
  

  It may be painful to be deprived of tennis on the middle Sunday at Wimbledon every year, but the result is a jam-packed slate of fourth-round action on Monday. To honor the occasion, the Tennistalk panel is bringing out its expert picks for the first time this fortnight. Join in the fun in the comments section and become a guest picker later in the week!
  

   

  (1) Rafael Nadal vs. (24) Juan Martin Del Potro
  
  Ricky: On anything other than grass, this would be an extremely dangerous matchup for Nadal. It's still not a good one because Del Potro should be playing the Top 4 guys in semifinals and finals rather than in premature fourth-round showdowns, but this is one Nadal should get though. The Spaniard has not lost a match at Wimbledon since 2007. Nadal 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-4.
  
  Cheryl: This matchup makes people quiver with anticipation...perhaps because the winner is never a certainty. The thing is that the matches themselves are rarely interesting in terms of score or both men playing well at the same time. The fact that Del Potro lost a set to Olivier Rochus is probably not good news for the Argentine. Nadal 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.
  
  Kelli: A marquee fourth-round match worthy of a final. Nadal finished strongly in round three, but his form has run hot and cold through the spring. Del Potro looks to have found his rhythm on a surface that hasn't been his favorite over the years. I sense a coming out party for him on Monday. Del Potro 7-6(5), 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.

   

  (6) Tomas Berdych vs. (10) Mardy Fish
  
  Ricky: Berdych reached the Wimbledon final last year, but he is not the same player in 2011. The Czech is playing decent tennis, but Fish is the in-form one of the two players. Fish's game is lethal on grass and his late-career resurgence would look even better with a Wimbledon quarterfinal. This one has upset written all over it. Fish 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.
  
  Cheryl: Fish is no grass-court slouch...don't let his relative lack of results at Wimbledon fool you. He won Newport last year (LOL) and made the semis of Queen's in 2010. Berdych is the defending Wimbledon runner-up, but I've haven't seen him play like that in a long time. Fish for the "upset" win (if you can call No. 9 winning over No. 7 an upset). Fish 7-5, 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-1.
  

   

  Kelli: Berdych has been in great form so far, and with a final to defend, he should make it through this match.  Fish is no grass-court slouch, but won't have enough to take the Czech out of his comfort zone. Berdych 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.

   

  (4) Andy Murray vs. (17) Richard Gasquet
  
  Ricky: In each of their last two meetings, Gasquet led two sets to love before Murray stormed back to prevail in five. The first of those was an epic Wimbledon encounter in 2008, when Murray even trailed by a break in the third. This one probably won't be as competitive, as Gasquet has benefited from a good draw while Murray is playing lights-out tennis. Murray 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, 6-3.
  
  Cheryl: Sure to be the best match of the fourth round...or it seems like it will be, anyway. Murray and Gasquet always seem to play drama-filled matches against each other. I'm hoping this year doesn't disappoint. Gasquet is playing good ball right now; the Frenchman seems to have finally found his way back to the top of the game. Murray played well in week one, but Gasquet has just the sort of game that could ruin another slam chance for the Scot. Huge upset here. Gasquet 3-6, 7-6(8), 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4.
  

   

  Kelli: The crowd can expect another entertaining match between these two. Three years ago, Gasquet had Murray on the ropes, only to let him go in the end. I don't think it'll be a five-set match this time around, however. Murray 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2.

   

  (7) David Ferrer vs. (12) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
  
  Ricky: This will be an interesting contrast in styles and it could be the best fourth-round match of the entire bunch on Monday. Ferrer is one of the best returners on tour while Tsonga will look to serve big and impose his power game on the Spaniard. Tsonga was utterly dominant in his third-round blowout of Fernando Gonzalez, so don't be surprised if the Frenchman keeps it going. Tsonga 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-4.
  
  Cheryl: Ferrer is scrappy and it would not do to count him out on any surface. He can run like the wind (imagine what he could do if he wasn't a smoker) and he hits a nice, flat forehand that can do serious damage on a grass court. That being said, I'm quickly beginning to think that grass is Tsonga's surface. As long as the pressure of getting into the quarters of the most prestigious tournament in the world doesn't get to him, I think Tsonga takes this. Tsonga 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7), 7-5.
  

   

  Kelli: Ferrer doesn't shine on grass and was lucky to get through young American Ryan Harrison. Tsonga overcame a tricky test with Dmitrov and looks to be finding his way through the tournament. The Frenchman will have a fight on his hands though, as the Spaniard won't give up until the last point is played. Tsonga def. Ferrer 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-2.

   

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