Creature v. Creature: Djokovic's Efficiency Will See Through

(Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

or a Haas perspective, check out Rob

Introduction: The 'Under the Radar' Serb against a German veteran. No one even speaks about Novak Djokovic and he has played most of his matches outside center court and court one. No impersonations this time around, and the word is he does not sign many autographs either. Nole is serious this time, and that does not bode well for Tommy Haas. Nole has been at his efficient best this Wimbledon, quietly going about his way and winning all of his matches with a loss of only one set until now. Lean Green Machine.

Will Win If: Move the ball around. That is what Nole does best. He can nonchalantly move the optic Wilson from side-to-side to take the legs out of the more tired German. Haas has done it the hard way and if Nole can keep Haas pinned to (or behind) the baseline, he definitely has a chance to meet a certain Swiss in the semis.

Controlled aggression holds the key. His laser passing shots needs to come to the fore as well. Haas will attack the net, and Nole needs to get his passing shots in gear. Don’t allow the crowd to play into his head (which is always a caveat with De-Joker). Nole's game has more moving parts now than when he won OZ, but clean, lean, efficient and controlled aggression from the baseline should see him through

Will Lose If: Nole gets flustered if he starts bad. It can get worse sometimes. If Haas has a dream day at the net, Nole can lose this one as well. There will be fluctuations in this match, but unless Nole completely gets flustered and plays into Haas' hands he should not really lose this one. This is Nole’s game to lose, that’s the best way of phrasing it

Intangibles: Try this equation if you are a Haas fan. Age plus miles on his odometer against a fresh, clean-hitting Serb. I don't feel too good about that equation turning out well for the German. But we never say never.

Shots to look for: Nole's down the line backhand drive is one of the cleanest ground stroke you can see on the men’s tour. Efficiency and laser precision. His passing shots off both flanks aren't bad either.

Prediction: Nole in a regular four. I cannot wait for him to stare down a Swiss in the final four.

P.S. Nole, bring back those good ol' Prussian blue shoes for Big Apple!

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