Ricky Dimon

• Wimbledon SF picks: Nadal vs. Murray, Djokovic vs. Tsonga

  2011-07-01 04:04:44
  

  We didn't get the Top 4 players in the world for a second straight Grand Slam semifinal, but it's still a blockbuster lineup at the All-England Club. The Tennistalk panel is back to make its expert predictions for Nadal vs. Murray and Djokovic vs. Tsonga. Join in the fun in the comments section and become a guest picker for the title match!
  

   

  (1) Rafael Nadal vs. (4) Andy Murray
  
  Ricky: I had Murray winning this at the start of the tournament, but I'm starting to think better of it. It's not that the Scot hasn't played great, because he has, but he has taken advantage of a favorable draw. Nadal, who leads their head-to-head series 11-4 and 2-0 at Wimbledon, is more than a step up in class from Richard Gasquet and Feliciano Lopez. Until Murray successfully handles the pressure of a final weekend at the All-England Club, it's too dicey to believe it will happen--especially against the world No. 1. Nadal 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-3.
  
  Cheryl: The tournament directors must be quivering with excitement. Doesn't get much bigger than the defending champ vs. the hometown hero. Murray has a chance here, no doubt about it. The Scot has been in great form. He comes into the Championships with a Queen's Club title and he's been solid all week. The problem is that he's playing Nadal. The Spaniard was better than solid against Juan Martin Del Potro, and except for a small mental lapse that cost him the third set, he ran over Mardy Fish. It's going to be tight, but no upset. Nadal 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(4), 6-3.
  
  Kelli: Murray has recovered nicely from a sketchy opening round but hasn't really done anything spectacular. In addition, having defeated Tobias Kamke, Ivan Ljubicic, a sub-par Gasquet, and Lopez en route to the semis doesn't tell us much about his current level. He'll have to remain aggressive and put an immediate cease and desist on any/all pushing to beat Nadal in a best-of-five on this surface. For his part, the eorld No. 1 looked strong against Del Potro and outside of a third-set lull, played very well against an in-form Fish. Nadal 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-2.
  
  (2) Novak Djokovic vs. (12) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
  
  Ricky: A Federer-Djokovic rematch of their French Open semifinal would have been more highly-anticipated, but this one should not disappoint. Djokovic is a considerable favorite, whereas Federer-Djokovic would have been a toss-up. But don't sleep on Tsonga, who upset Nadal at Queen's Club and then--on Wednesday--became the first man in Grand Slam history to come back from two sets down and beat Federer. If he can do that, he can do anything. However, the Frenchman will have to serve just as big if not bigger against Djokovic. The world No. 2 is 46-1 this season and this time a semifinal should not be his undoing. Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-3.
  
  Cheryl: Tsonga is hitting it an absolute TON right now. The Frenchman has served lights-out tennis for two weeks. Granted, Djokovic is the best returner in the men's game, but Tsonga is still going to be zinging aces past the Serb. Furthermore, this is a bit of a matchup problem for Djokovic. Tsonga owns a 5-2 record over the world No.2...and that's on Nole's favored hard courts. Grass is Djokovic's least favorite surface and it's quickly becoming Tsonga's favorite. I think the underdog is going to pull off upset. Tsonga 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
  
  Kelli: Tsonga gave everything and then some in the previous round but should have plenty left for Djokovic. He'll have to continue serve big and accurately against the world No. 2, who is known for having one of the best returns in the game. Nearly even money IMO; expect a war with these two on Friday. Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-4.

   

   

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