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Semifinals spots are on the line when three-time Wimbledon winner Novak Djokovic meets Japanese superstar Kei Nishikori. Can Djokovic continue his strong form or will Nishikori get the better of the former world No.1? Join The Roar from 10pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
Novak Djokovic has shown no signs of slowing down at the 2018 Championships, dropping only one set throughout the tournament.
The Serbian started his grass season well, finishing runner-up to Marin Cilic at Queen’s before earning straight sets victories over Tennys Sandgren and Horacio Zeballos in the opening rounds of Wimbledon.
Since then, the three-time champion has come against tough young opponents Kyle Edmund and Karen Khachanov who he also produced comfortable wins against winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 against Edmund, and in straight sets to Karen Khachanov 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
A massive positive for Djokovic is that he hasn’t had any injury flare-ups, and he will be hoping it stays that way as he hits peak physical form.
This will be Kei Nishikori’s first appearance in the final eight at Wimbledon having found it hard to get past the third and fourth rounds in recent tournaments however, the 28-year-old is in peak form having produced a strong campaign so far.
Nishikori has pulled off some major scalps throughout the 2018 Championships defeating Christian Harrison and Bernard Tomic in four sets over the two opening rounds before sending Australian Nick Kyrgios home in three sets 6-1, 7-6, 6-4.
His most recent match-up saw him come back from a set down to dismantle Ernests Gulbis 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-1.
Nishikori will need to be at his very best to defeat Djokovic by serving well and producing some good forehand play. If he can take the first set and apply serious pressure throughout the second, it might be enough to tip Djokovic’s mental game over the edge.
He will want to play from mid-court and punish the Serbian at the net by making Djokovic cover plenty of ground.
Djokovic and Nishikori have a long history playing each other with 17 matches between the pair, of which Novak Djokovic has won 15 to Nishikori’s two victories.
They have already played twice in 2018 with Djokovic winning at both the Madrid and Rome Masters tournaments. The Serbian has enjoyed wins in the last 13 matches between them.
Three have been played at grand slams, one at each of Melbourne, Paris and New York, however it will be the first time they have met at Wimbledon and also their first clash on grass.
Prediction
This is set to go right down to the wire with both players exceptional throughout the 2018 Championships. Djokovic has the slight edge over his opponent and should finish the match strongly.
Djokovic in five sets.
Join The Roar from 10pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
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