Roger and Stan have breezed through the event so far and look a sure bet to continue their Swiss supremacy in the quarter finals
Just eight months ago Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka were lifting the Davis Cup title for Switzerland, and the confidence gained from this triumph has propelled the pair into producing two stellar seasons.
Federer already has won four titles this campaign, whilst Wawrinka’s French Open triumph captured the imagination of the tennis world. The dynamic duo look set to inflict damaging defeats against their respective quarter final opponents
11/5 – Stan Wawrinka to beat Richard Gasquet 3-0
After reaching the Wimbledon semi finals in 2007, Richard Gasquet has largely disappointed, dropping multiple places in the tennis rankings due to his lack of consistency in major events. A contributing factor to this decline has been the extremely cagey style of play he now employs, standing metres behind the baseline, waiting for his opponent to miss.
Powerful baseliner Stan Wawrinka has all the weapons to neutralise defensive players, and this was proved in his stunning French Open victory over the world’s best mover, Novak Djokovic.
Wawrinka will enter the match full of confidence on the back of recent form, and will take heart from his last meeting with Gasquet, where he came back from two sets down to defeat the Frenchman in his own back garden in Paris. Five sets in this encounter look unlikely however, with Stan winning over 65% of his matches in straight sets this season.
He has been particularly dominant in this SW19 campaign, with no sets lost and just two sets extended to tie breaks. Stan really is the man at the moment, and can blow Gasquet away in straight sets at 11/5.
4/5 – Roger Federer to beat Gilles Simon 3-0
Whilst Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have gained most of the media attention at this years’ tournament, Roger Federer has quietly gone about his business with typical Swiss precision.
The 17 time grand slam champion has remained unbroken on serve throughout the first week of the championships, and it is this serving prowess that makes him an all but certainty to reach the semi final stage.
Simon’s straight set victory over number 6 seed, Tomas Berdych, represented one of the tournament’s biggest upsets to date, but another giant killing on Wednesday looks a step too far for the Frenchman.
Gilles has never reached the semi finals stage of a Grand Slam, and despite having some success against Roger in smaller tournaments, has never beaten the Fed Express in one of tennis’ premium events. Federer has won two of their last three meetings in straight sets, including a 6/1 6/2 demolition job on the clay courts in Rome. Facing Roger on grass will be even tougher for Gilles, and many would be surprised if the diminutive Frenchman could grab a set. A straight sets Federer victory is value at 4/5.
All odds and prices correct at time of publication but subject to change. See site for latest.
