Wimbledon men's quarter-finalists: who are they?

05 July 2016 03:23

Andy Murray heads into the Wimbledon men's quarter-finals as the title favourite.

On Wednesday he will face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Centre Court, after Roger Federer tackles Marin Cilic.

Court One action begins with Sam Querrey playing Milos Raonic, before Tomas Berdych takes on Lucas Pouille.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at the contenders:

  • ANDY MURRAY

Four straight-sets wins and the exit of his arch rival means Wimbledon could hardly be progressing any better for the 2013 champion. His focus is intense, his tennis quite brilliant. Ivan Lendl's return as Murray's coach may be a factor, but the drive comes from within Britain's top player.

Seeded: 2

Key statistic: Has served just one double fault so far.

Quote: "I take it one match at a time. I know everyone goes, 'Oh, that's boring'. But that's what you do as a professional. My job's to try to win my next match - it's not thinking about anything else."

  • ROGER FEDERER

Despite arriving at Wimbledon with question marks over his fitness and without a title yet this season, Federer has looked the part. Like Murray, he has not been extended beyond three sets so far. The eighth title remains in his sights but Marin Cilic, the man who thrashed Federer in the 2014 US Open semi-finals, is next.

Seeded: 3

Key statistic: Has won 97 per cent of his service games so far, or 56 out of 58.

Quote: (on Cilic) "I practised with him when I arrived here at Wimbledon. He was playing great. He blew me off the court at the US Open. I know what I'm getting into."

  • MILOS RAONIC

Raonic has enlisted one of Wimbledon's great champions, John McEnroe, as an extra coach for Wimbledon and so far the deal is working out. The pair are clearly getting along supremely well, and Raonic's fightback from two sets down to David Goffin in round four spoke volumes of his growing self-belief.

Seeded: 6

Key statistic: His 101 aces is the most by any player left in the tournament.

Quote: (on McEnroe) " He's telling me to go out there and impose myself more, maybe be not necessarily more loud about it, but make sure the other guy knows you're there."

  • MARIN CILIC

The surprise 2014 US Open champion benefited from Kei Nishikori being injured in the fourth round, but he has played a strong tournament and should make life hard for Federer. Bidding to reach his first Wimbledon semi-final after quarter-finals runs in the last two years.

Seeded: 9

Key statistic: Has won 90 per cent of points when he has landed his first serve.

Quote: "Definitely here the Wimbledon courts suit my game and I like to play here, I enjoy it."

  • TOMAS BERDYCH

Through to his third straight grand slam quarter-final, the Czech will be a firm favourite against Lucas Pouille as he hunts down a semi-final place. Runner-up to Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2010, Berdych has progressed under most radars.

Seeded: 10

Key statistic: He leads the tournament on points won (108) when returning the second serve.

Quote: "I almost don't feel like I'm in the quarters yet because it's just keep going. Everything is so quick. But overall I think it's pretty good. It's a good run."

  • JO-WILFRIED TSONGA

Down two sets to John Isner and serving at 5-5, 15-40, Tsonga looked set for a third-round exit. But he turned that around, had Richard Gasquet retire on him on Monday, and now finds himself tackling Murray.

Seeded: 12

Key statistic: Played in the longest match of the 2016 men's singles so far, beating Isner in four hours, 25 minutes after a 19-17 final set.

Quote: "To play the quarter-finals, it's a good feeling, honestly, because I had some bad days at the start of the season."

  • SAM QUERREY

Novak Djokovic's conqueror fights on. After overcoming a player on a 30-match grand slam winning streak, this Wimbledon is already a tournament to remember for the American. He was two sets down to Lukas Rosol in round one, since when he played like a dream.

Seeded: 28

Key statistic: Has won more points when facing first serves than any other player, 107 so far.

Quote: "After the Novak match, I watched every highlight I could over and over. Enjoyed the hell out of that moment."

  • LUCAS POUILLE

The Dubai-based Frenchman was ranked 90th in the world in January but has soared to 30th and will climb higher next week. At Wimbledon he has downed Juan Martin del Potro and Bernard Tomic already, having never previously gone beyond the second round of a grand slam.

Seeded: 32

Key statistic: Has the highest percentage rate of converting break points of the remaining players, taking 20 of 42 opportunities (48 per cent).

Quote: "Before the tournament, (my hope) was to win one match on grass."

Statistic source: Wimbledon/IBM official tournament statistics

Source: PA