Murray would like to be the man to keep Federer from a 17th major crown

By Andrew Buchholz

What a wacky Wimbledon it has been. No rain? Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal struggling? An 11-hour match?

With the men's game as tight as ever, things are not going to calm down. Here's a look at my predictions for the second week at The Championships.

 

The Fourth Round is jam-packed with the top players, setting up for another epic finish. In 2008, we had the longest final in Wimbledon history, seeing Nadal dethrone Federer 9-7 in the fifth set. In 2009, when we thought they could not beat the performance from the previous year, Federer and Andy Roddick outdid themselves. Being called "the greatest match in history," Federer regained the title with a 16-14 win in the fifth set. They can't do it again this year, can they?

 

Looking at the top half, if Federer is going to repeat, it is not going to be easy. In the quarterfinals he will most likely face Tomas Berdych, a six-foot-five player who was built for grass courts. He likes to give Federer a hard time by trying to overpower the Swiss. Federer is always up for the challenge, however. Getting past Berdych will set up a rematch of last year's final. Roddick is still hurting from that result. His struggles against Federer will continue, giving the 16-time Grand Slam champion an opportunity to defend his title.

 

In the bottom half, Nadal's bad knees may be the deciding factor in his performance. Coming off of two long five-setters and calling a time-out in his last match to have a trainer look at his ailing knees, things could get tough for the Spaniard. He should get past the Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu, but in the quarterfinals could meet the powerful Robin Soderling.

Soderling, who was able to hit winner after winner against Federer on slow clay courts in Paris, is on a mission to break into the Top 5 in the world. Using his commanding groundstrokes, look for Soderling to upset Nadal, ushering the Swede into the semifinals.

Meeting him will be England's potential savior, Andy Murray. Not dropping a set yet this tournament, Murray is quietly making a run for his first Grand Slam title. No player on the tour right now uses angles better than Murray, and in the semifinals, look for him to outlast Soderling and put himself into the finals.

 

With England eliminated from the World Cup, the entire weight of the country will be dropped upon the Scotman's shoulders. Henman Hill (or for the day, Murray Mound) will be flooded. But on the other side of the net, I predict, will stand the greatest grass-court player of all time, Roger Federer. Although things have been shaky thus far for the defending champ, look for a four-set victory for the Swiss, giving him his seventh Wimbledon title and 17th major victory. 

What's your prediction? Please leave a COMMENT below.

Watch Wimbledon ESPN.com  and the Tennis Channel.

 

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