Roger Federer v Kevin Anderson: 1st set correct score 7-6 any player – 21/10
Kevin Anderson is a serving machine – no doubt about it.
He’s shown great form all tournament and although his best efforts probably won’t be enough to see off the 37-year-old greatest of all time Roger Federer on his favourite playground, we believe Anderson can keep it tight in the initial stages.
7-6 is 9/4 in set 1 and we’ll give it a go in this match where we feel the lanky South African has been a little disrespected with his match price at a huge 7/1.
Rafa Nadal v Juan Martin Del Potro: Nadal (-1.5) sets – 4/7
This selection breaks our hearts! Unfortunately, the Tower of Tandil has resembled my Jenga set as Del Boy really struggled to finish off a stubborn, but limited Gilles Simon and his fourth round from Manic Monday ran into Tuesday, which is disastrous preparation for facing the Spanish bull Nadal.
Speaking of Mr Nadal, he has looked very good thus far and has reached the quarters of Wimbledon for the first time since 2011.
Although, some questions remain over Rafa on grass and it’s true he has faced limited resistance thus far, we still reluctantly feel he should get the job done with a bit to spare over a suffering Del Potro – who should have some moments, but not enough to get it done.
Rafa to advance in three or four sets is our bet here.
Novak Djokovic v Kei Nishikori: Djokovic 3-0 at a Power Price – 11/10
To continue the theme of backing head over heart we come to the final selection – Novak to get the job done in straight sets over the ever popular, but ever-suffering Kei Nishikori and it’s available at a very generous boosted price of 11/10 (fill your boots while the generosity lasts).
Djokovic has impressed all tournament, dropping only one set (against Britain’s Kyle Edmund) on his way to the quarters. He holds a 13-2 winning record over Nishikori (including on clay twice this year), with the Japanese star’s last victory over Nole coming on his stunning run to the US Open final back in 2014, where it looked like he was ready to enter the very top echelons of the men’s game.
Unfortunately, injuries have been the main reason for his inability to fulfil this promise and this recurring theme is the main reason we are happy to back him against him as he really looked to be struggling in his scratchy win over the charismatic Ernests Gulbis, who looked the stronger player before a few nasty looking falls killed off his challenge in set three.
We’re backing Nole to see off a wilting Nishikori, who despite the result has already had an extremely pleasing tournament.
Find the latest betting from Wimbledon 2018 over on paddypower.com* All odds correct at time of posting.