Delpo and Sod play a similar style, hitting their f/h very hard and serve well but they don't have too much variety to their game.

I am reading the other sites and it is really sinking in at the task ahead of Rafa with Delpo, Berdych and Murray (if the draws goes true to form). I still believe Rafa can do it but it just seems so unfair that Rafa has such a tough road unlike some of his peers!! How could ANYONE argue that Rafa's draw is the toughest........................luck of the draw my arse!!!!!!!!!!!

If I didnt know better I would say this is a conspiracy!!!!!

Anyway, Rafa, no matter what, you will ALWAYS make me proud. Supporting you all the way to the finals and beyond!!!!!

Considering Juan has never made it past the 3rd round before this year, and he admits to grass being a tough surface for him, I'm expecting Rafa to win without to much difficulty. Although some are saying he wasn't match tough in IW this year where Rafa beat him handily, I really haven't seen him be particularly match tough all year. Anything can happen on a tennis court, but I'm not worried. Same for Berdy.
As for Murray, I'll wait another match or two before any serious consideration. By the way Rafa is not playing DC this time. This is a smart move for the Spaniards. Takes the wind out of the sails of all the hypsters. The US will definitely have their hands full with the Spanish team named. There all excellent hard courters.

Oops! "They're all excellent hard courters".

The way Rafa deals with the enormity of the task of playing one tough player after another, is take it one match at a time. That is what I am going to do. That's how Rafa is able to deal with the pressure and not overwhelm himself. Now he will just concentrate on Delpo and no one else.

If Rafa serves the way he did against Muller then he can make this tough for Delpo. Also, Rafa's ROS improved a good deal in the latter stages of the match with Muller. As long as Rafa can keep up this level of play, he will be able to handle Delpo.

One match at a time!

Good luck, Rafa!

See below for Delpo's views on his and Rafa's match on Monday.............

"Against [Nadal] you have to play unbelievable tennis. You have to play everything perfectly, and then maybe, you have a little chance. But it's my first time in fourth round in Wimbledon and I want to treasure this moment."

He's funny...................but true!!

VAMOS Rafa!!!!

Strange that Delpo is not match tough when he met Rafa at IW this year, when he had already reached the SF of Memphis, and won Delray Beach if Im not wrong. Also when Delpo beat Rafa in Canada in 2009, Rafa really wasn't match tough then, as he just came back from injury and that was his first tournament after his injury. Why ain't people saying that Rafa wasn't match tough then?

Why keep doubting Rafa's ability on grass? Does Delpo play better than Haase or Petzschner last year? Both Hasse and Petzschner are better grass court players than Delpo, at least they move better than Delpo on grass, and Rafa still survived them, I don't think Delpo can trouble Rafa the way these two can.

Luckystar, dont you realise that now even my dog, Happy, can beat Rafa nowadays!!!!

So you know what, I just keep quiet and let Rafa's racket do the talking!!!! I have read so much rubbish esp. during RG that right now I am immune to comments.......more like trash talk............on Rafa's chances of winning a Slam.

VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I expect Nadal to win in 3 competitive sets. Maybe Delpo could take 1 set.

Since there is no thread with regards to the upcoming Round of 16 matches, I decided that I should take the initiative and develop my own predictions. See below:

Andy Murray /Richard Gasquet - Gasquet; Andy is already showing signs of nerves and if I've noticed this so has Gasquet, and he will capitalise. Gasquet has nothing to lose here, really, unlike Andy, so if he fails to take his chances then thats just too bad!

Rafael Nadal /Juan Martin Del Potro - Nadal; Rafa is better than Delpotro. Rafa may be very nervous for the first few minutes but once he gets into his grove, there is no way he is going to lose to Delpo.......................not at Wimby!!!

Lukasz Kubot /Feliciano Lopez - Kubot; he beat Monfils who is a better player than Lopez and also for the fact that Lopez is not that consistent. But Lopez did play very well against Roddick................if thats anything to go by these days!!!!

Mardy Fish /Tomas Berdych - Mardy; the thing about Mardy is that no one is taking him serioulsy...............including Berdych. He may surprise Berdy and by the time he realises that Mardy is here to play it will be too late. Berdych also seems to be too much of a streaky player for my liking.

David Ferrer /Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - David Ferrer; Ferrer is a fierce competitor and he always tends to take his chances, unlike Tsonga who tends to go for too much or for broke too much of the time, and that will cost him the match, even if he may try to serve his way out of trouble.

Mikhail Youzhny /Roger Federer - Federer; not much to say here really!!!!

Bernard Tomic /Xavier Malisse - X-Man; X-man is more experienced for a start and I think the only reason Bernard is here is bcos he met Soda at the right place and at the right time due to Soda's poor form. Tomic may surprise me but i think the X-man will run away with this one.

Michael Llodra /Novak Djokovic - Novak; Llodra's S&V game may give Novak fits at first but I doubt that the frenchman can continue this form throughout the match. Mind you, Novak did seem out of sorts in his match with Baggy so he should be careful here!


These are my predictions..................not that anyone cares but I had fun.

Comment please, any one?

Murray in 4
Nadal in 4
Lopez in 3
Berdych in 4
Tsonga in 4
Federer in 3
Malisse in 5
Djokovic in 3

I'm unsure on Richard/Andy ; could go either way. Have a feeling the crowd will get Andy through though.

Would be surprised if Delpo challenges Rafa. Somewhat surprised he got this far actually.

Haven't see Kubot on grass before but think Lopez should be able to beat him unless he chokes....a real possibility.

Would love to see Mardy win but haven't been that impressed so far. The Haase match was ugly so I'll go with Berdych.

Think Tsonga will win over Ferrer.

Agree with Roger winning over Youzhny.

Bernie looked tired yesterday so it's going to be tough for him. He may find a way though. Don't have that much confidence in Malisse but he'll likely win.

Think Nole will win but it could be tough if Llodra brings his A game.

Thanks Emiliano55 and numero.................very interesting and reasonable predictions! I look forward to exciting times 2'row.............MAD MONDAY.......hope the best man comes out victorious!!

Nadal in 5
Murray in 4
Lopez in 4
Berdych in 3
Tsonga in 5
Federer in 3
Malisse in 4
Djokovic in 3

@ imjimmy,

Rafa in five.................interesting..............why?

Monalysa - I've put up my view on this match on the Nadal-Muller thread.
Basically, I cannot see Delpo winning, unless Rafa is injured. I expect Nadal to prevail in 4 or 5 sets, most likely the latter because Delpo is also playing very well, and the surface will help his big game. I think it's unlucky for both players to meet so early. This should've been a SF match IMO...

I will take a crack at predictions for tomorrow's matches.

Murray/Gasquet - I have been going back and forth on this one. The crowd will give Murray tremendous support and that should be a real advantage. This is a 50/50 for me. If I change my mind, then I will make another post and give my reasons why.

Rafa/Delpo - There is no way Rafa will lose to Delpo. He is in great form and that match with Muller was excellent preparation for this match. He is too strong and too good on grass.

Feli/Kubot - I think Feli has been playing some great tennis of late. I see him winning this match. I must admit that I am not that familiar with Kubot, but I think this is where it ends for him if Feli can keep it together and stay mentally focused.

Berdych/Fish - This is another one where I go back and forth. Berdych has bee unimpressive in recent months, but has won his matches easily. However, the quality of the opposition might have made those victories look more impressive than they were. I think Berdych will manage to get the win. This is another one where I may decide to change my mind.

Ferrer/Tsonga - I think Ferrer will outlast Tsonga, who can go hot and cold. Tsonga has looked good recently, but Ferrer has the pitbull mentality that should get him the win.

Federer/Youzhny - Federer wins this one. Nothing more needs to be said.

Malisse/Tomic - The road ends for Tomic here. The veteran Malisse should get the win.

Djokovic/Llodra - While I think Llodra has the game to give Nole some trouble, I don't see him being able to keep it up long enough to win. Nole for the win.

This is fun and a great idea!

Ok, my picks:

Nadal in 3 ? too strong
Murray in 3 ? too motivated
Lopez in 4 ? not sure why!
Berdych in 3 ? too experienced
Ferrer in 4 ? too hardworking
Federer in 3 ? too strong
Malisse in 4 ? too experienced
Djokovic in 3 ? too strong

go Delpo

CindiT, like your predictions and reasons :) How about :
Lopez in 4? too beautiful ;)