Djokovic should make light work of Nishikori

BBC from 1pm

Roger Federer claimed a record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title last season and the Swiss star is an odds-on favourite to defend his crown.

Early exits for Marin Cilic and Federer’s Halle conqueror Borna Coric have made his task of reaching the final easier, as big-serving trio Kevin Anderson, Milos Raonic and John Isner, although all respected, look unlikely to deliver the killer blow.

However, the bottom half of the draw is turning into an intriguing heat with a potential semi-final showdown between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who have won Wimbledon five times between them, on the cards.

Raonic v Isner
Milos Raonic, runner-up two years ago, is used to striking fear into his opponents with his powerful serve but he may struggle to unsettle John Isner, who is armed with a similar weapon.

On form the pair look evenly matched and their comparable styles mean it is difficult to find a winner.

Seven of the nine sets they have contested have gone to a tiebreak and there have been just six breaks of serve in their four previous showdowns.

This is a perfect opportunity for both players to make the last four but 33-year-old Isner has never made the semi-final of a Grand Slam, while Raonic has already dropped sets against qualifier Dennis Novak and young American Mackenzie McDonald and doesn’t look in the same form as when making the final in 2016.

Recommendation
Exact total sets five
1pt 12-5 Betway

Federer v Anderson
Roger Federer has won 32 consecutive sets at the All England Club and his four previous meetings with Kevin Anderson have gone his way in straight-sets.

It’s 4-6 with Hills about another straight-sets triumph for the 36-year-old but his big-serving South African challenger isn’t easy to break in the opening exchanges and punters should consider him to take the opener to a tiebreak.

Three of the four sets Anderson played against Gael Monfils in the last round went the distance, including the first which went his way, and Federer may need to be patient before stamping his class.

Recommendation
First set tiebreak
1pt 9-4 Coral, Ladbrokes, Sky Bet

Djokovic v Nishikori
Three-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic is looking more like his former self as the tournament progresses and the resurgent Serbian should maintain his dominance over Japanese ace Kei Nishikori.

Djokovic hasn’t tasted Grand Slam success since landing the Australian Open in 2016 but signs are improving and emphatic wins over home hope Kyle Edmund and rising Russian Karen Khachanov this week make him hard to oppose.

Djokovic leads Nishikori 12-2 in their personal series and a place in the semi-final surely beckons for the silky Serb. He can win in straight sets.

Recommendation
N Djokovic to win 3-0
1pt Evs general

Nadal v Del Potro
Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro have had some classic encounters over the years and their highly-anticipated Wimbledon quarter-final showdown should not disappoint.

Nadal has made light work of all four of his SW19 opponents but none of his victims are in the same league as Delpo, whose forehand is one of the biggest weapons in the sport.

However the Spaniard, although short enough, would be a surprise casualty.

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