Peter Bodo, ESPN.com Staff Writer 9y

Super Monday predictions: Why Djokovic's Wimbledon run could end

Tennis

LONDON -- The best day in tennis is nearly upon us, reminding us once again that old school isn't necessarily obsolete school. Here's a look at the eight men's fourth-round matches on Super Monday:

No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic versus No. 14 Kevin Anderson (Djokovic leads the head-to-head series 4-1)

The case for Djokovic: The defending champion hasn't lost a set here, and after being upset by Stan Wawrinka in the French Open final, he's looking for balm for a broken heart.

The case for Anderson: The 6-foot-8 power server has smacked an average of just over 26 aces per match, and a player like that always has a shot at Wimbledon.

Prediction: This is the upset special -- Anderson will serve his way to a win.

No. 2 Roger Federer versus No. 20 Roberto Bautista Agut (Federer leads 2-0)

The case for Federer: He's No. 2 in the world, smacking the ball like there's no tomorrow, and there's no doubt he remembers how close he came to winning Grand Slam No. 18 against top-ranked Djokovic in last year's five-set final. Any questions?

The case for Agut: Agut has won a title on grass ('s-Hertogenbosch) thanks partly to his ability to hit a clean, relatively flat ball.

Prediction: Versatility isn't enough to get the job done against an in-form Federer; he'll win in straight sets.

No. 3 Andy Murray versus No. 23 Ivo Karlovic (Murray leads 5-0)

The case for Murray: He may be playing his best tennis since he made his historic breakthrough here en route to the title in 2013. And with a good clay-court season under his belt, he's fit and seasoned.

The case for Karlovic: He's got the most dangerous right arm in tennis, with 136 aces through three matches thus far, and the wingspan of a Boeing 787 to cut off what returns do come back.

Prediction: Murray may lose a tiebreaker, but he'll stick enough returns to win in four sets.

No. 4 Stan Wawrinka versus No. 16 David Goffin (Wawrinka leads 2-0)

The case for Wawrinka: The recently crowned French Open champ handled heavy hitter Fernando Verdasco with ease; he has the weapons to overpower Goffin.

The case for Goffin: A middleweight at best, the 24-year-old Belgian is in a resurgence, and the grass is friendly to his game.

Prediction: Stan lays down the law in straight sets.

No. 6 Tomas Berdych versus Gilles Simon (Simon leads 6-4)

The case for Berdych: The former Wimbledon finalist (2010) is always in the hunt, and with Rafael Nadal out of the tournament, Berdych should have plenty of motivation.

The case for Simon: He played deep into the night Saturday, beating fellow Frenchman Gael Monfils under the roof on Centre Court. Simon is quick with a solid all-around grass-court game.  

Prediction: Berdych will bring too much firepower. He'll win in four. 

No. 9 Marin Cilic versus Denis Kudla (first meeting)

The case for Cilic: The U.S. Open champion must feel relieved after serving as No. 17 seed John Isner's foil in yet another multi-episode epic, coming away the winner on Saturday with a 12-10 finish in the fifth set.

The case for Kudla: This has been the tournament of a lifetime for the 22-year-old Ukrainian. He's ranked 105th in the world and earned a wild-card spot. He's won three matches, two of them tight five-setters.

Prediction: Cilic has too much of everything for Kudla; he'll win it in three sets.

No. 21 Richard Gasquet versus No. 26 Nick Kyrgios (Gasquet leads 2-1)

The case for Gasquet: The oft-injured, flamboyant Frenchman is playing well again and took out Kyrgios in the Estoril final just weeks ago.

The case for Kyrgios: Estoril was on red clay, and Kyrgios is a better player than he was when he took out Gasquet here at Wimbledon in the second round last year.

Prediction: Kyrgios will serve his way to a four-set win.

No. 22 Viktor Troicki versus Vasek Pospisil (first meeting)

The case for Troicki: The 39-year-old Serb is 6-foot-4 with a powerful serve and clean strokes -- great assets on grass. If his return game is on, he'll be dangerous.

The case for Pospisil: Another example of a player whose game has improved thanks to a successful commitment to doubles. Pospisil won 35 points in 49 trips to the net in his overtime win against Great Britain's Jamie Ward in the third round.

Prediction: Pospisil's increased attacking and volleying skills will see him through to a four-set upset.

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