Players with the Most Momentum Heading into the Late Rounds of Wimbledon 2015
The men’s and women’s draws have been whittled down after another exciting Manic Monday. Yes, we are finally at the business end of Wimbledon 2015.
And now things become really interesting.
There is no shortage of interesting matches on the docket for the quarterfinals, which will serve as the prelude to some blockbuster semifinal battles.
But who is best positioned for a triumphant march to the title? Based on the evidence presented during the past week, a few have separated themselves from the pack.
So, here is a look at a trio of players on each side with the most momentum as championship weekend looms. Let the mad dash to the finish line begin.
Madison Keys
1 of 6
Blessed with a missile of a serve and equally powerful ground strokes, it’s easy to see why many have pegged Madison Keys as an eventual Grand Slam champion.
And those tools in her growing arsenal are perfect matches for the soil at the All England Club.
The 20-year-old American has truly blossomed this season, reaching both her first major quarterfinal and semifinal at the Australian Open. Her march toward the top 10 has escalated the past week, and Keys has glided into her first Wimbledon quarterfinal.
Though she survived rough patches in the first round against Stefanie Voegele and overcame an early deficit to down Olga Govortsova in the fourth round, Keys has proved her mettle and displayed poise beyond her years.
"I'm just happy I'm in the second quarter," Keys told ESPN’s Greg Garber. "No, I definitely feel like when I'm walking out onto the courts, not only do I feel people are expecting me to win, but I am expecting me to win.”
Keys hasn’t coasted by any means. But those close calls may actually benefit her more in the long run as she builds confidence in pressure situations. She now knows her game (especially that serve) can carry her even when she's not playing her best. That's an invaluable psychological boost.
She’ll need those mental repetitions to survive a tricky quarterfinal date with Agnieszka Radwanska, who beat Keys here in 2013.
There is a wild card in her corner: Lindsay Davenport. The 1999 Wimbledon champion, Davenport has accelerated Keys’ maturation process, and she has her pupil in position to challenge for the biggest title of her career.
Last year, upstart Eugenie Bouchard clawed her way into a surprise final berth. Keys could soon do the same, with that magnificent serve an intimidating force.
Maria Sharapova
2 of 6
Quiet isn’t a word often used to describe Maria Sharapova. Yet that’s the manner in which she’s navigated her way through these championships.
Her matches have lacked drama simply because of the way she’s gone about her business. Sharapova hasn’t even dropped a set, sailing past Johanna Konta, Richel Hogenkamp, Irina-Camelia Begu and Zarina Diyas to reach her first Wimbledon quarterfinal since 2011.
While she hasn’t faced top-notch competition, Sharapova has been ruthlessly efficient in dispatching the players in front of her. And the opportunity to face young Coco Vandeweghe in the quarterfinals should have her salivating.
Since her runner-up finish at the Australian Open, Sharapova has battled inconsistency, which reared its head again last month when she lost in the fourth round at Roland Garros. But she's picked things up on the lawn, which accentuates her attack-first mentality.
The journey to add another title at the All England Club (where she won her first career major in 2004) will only intensify—especially with tormenter Serena Williams possibly waiting in the semifinals. How her serve holds up will be the key, but Sharapova should feel plenty encouraged by the current state of her game.
Serena Williams
3 of 6
Her quest to become the first singles player to win a calendar Grand Slam in 27 years nearly came to an end in the third round against upset-minded Heather Watson. Like she so often does, Serena Williams rose to the challenge and asserted her dominance.
Down a double break in that climatic third set, Williams eventually clawed her way back. But Watson wouldn't go away, and the 23-year-old found herself two points from the finish line.
That's when Williams drew from all her experience on Centre Court and her inner reserves. She simply refused to lose, outlasting Watson for one of the most hard-fought Wimbledon victories of her career.
Given new life after being on the brink of elimination, she cruised past her sister, Venus Williams, in the fourth round to book a spot in the quarterfinals—her first at the All England Club since 2012.
Even when not showcasing her A-plus game, Williams still finds ways to win. She's a remarkable 36-1 this season, a record that has her lapping the rest of the WTA in the rankings.
To win her 21st career major (and sixth at Wimbledon), Williams will have to go through an in-form Victoria Azarenka, who's yet to drop a set this fortnight. But the world No. 1 holds a 16-3 edge in their rivalry and has won all nine of their Grand Slam meetings.
After that, Williams could face another opponent she's owned: Maria Sharapova. Both women are certainly capable of threatening her, yet Williams has been in another dimension entirely in 2015.
Odds are that she'll find her way into another Saturday final and continue her assault on history.
Stan Wawrinka
4 of 6
Only one man has yet to lose a set at Wimbledon 2015: Stan Wawrinka.
Maybe he doesn’t need those magic shorts after all.
Still in a groove after his unexpected run to the French Open title, Wawrinka has kept his hopes for a Channel Slam alive thanks to some punishing baseline tennis. Not only has he sustained the level he used to torch opponents in Paris, but the Swiss has turned things up to full throttle lately.
He's powered through Joao Sousa, Victor Estrella Burgos, Fernando Verdasco and David Goffin to reach his second quarterfinal at the All England Club. Never the most adept on grass, it hasn't mattered so far for the burly world No. 4.
Next in his path? Richard Gasquet, who will be able to match Wawrinka in the beautiful one-handed backhand department. But the Stanimal has burst out of his cage and should find himself in his first Wimbledon semifinal.
Should he reach that point, he may face Novak Djokovic in rematch of their Roland Garros final. Brimming with momentum and the ability to mercilessly hit opponents off the court, don't underestimate his chances to claim another crown.
Andy Murray
5 of 6
Two years have passed since the seminal moment of Andy Murray's career, that magical run that culminated in the Scot ending Great Britain's 76-year men's singles drought at Wimbledon.
After a down season by his standards in 2014, Murray has returned to top form this spring. Because of his rejuvenation on the court, he's now back in position to challenge for another Grand Slam trophy.
How good has Murray been lately? He's 24-1 since early April with titles at Munich, Madrid and Queen's Club. That sizzling form has him breathing down Roger Federer's neck for the No. 2 ranking, and his best tennis may still be ahead of him.
Into his eighth consecutive quarterfinal at the All England Club, Murray has overcome four-set tests against Andreas Seppi and Ivo Karlovic. Neither man could offer much opposition to the sheer force of Murray's competitive fire.
When he gets going on these lawns (and with that crowd behind him), look out.
Grass now suits Murray better than any other surface. As he's developed his serve and offensive arsenal to match his superb defensive skills, the 28-year-old has built a complete game. And that repertoire gives him a big advantage at Wimbledon.
Maybe he hasn't hit that top gear quite yet, but he won't be intimidated by big-hitting Vasek Pospisil in the quarterfinals. Murray's return game has been on point these championships and should keep him going until at least the semifinals, where he could face the hottest server in the world.
Roger Federer
6 of 6
Tweener lobs, rifled backhands and deadly accurate serves. Roger Federer is clearly in the zone.
What else should we have expected from the Swiss on his favorite surface?
Before the tournament even began, Federer told USA Today's Nick McCarvel: "Wimbledon has been a big goal this season for me, and I'm happy how my body is feeling. I'm still here to do well, to win tournaments, to win Wimbledon, to do all these things.”
Wimbledon is truly Federer’s mecca, and the seven-time champion has wasted no time getting reacquainted with the trimmed lawns. He’s been sublime through four rounds, holding all 58 of his service games. In fact, he hasn't dropped serve in his last eight matches dating back to his first-round win over Philipp Kohlschreiber in Halle, Germany.
Good luck stopping his quest if he keeps that streak up.
Precision of serve has always been his forte at the All England Club, with the grass perfectly taking the bite of his nasty kick serves. It’s a tactic he’s used to maneuver past Damir Dzumhur, Sam Querrey, Sam Groth and Roberto Bautista Agut to reach the quarterfinals.
He added another gem to his career highlight reel against Querrey, lobbing the tall American with a between-the-legs shot that drew an error. Even as his 34th birthday approaches, Federer isn’t short on tricks.
While Groth managed to steal a tiebreak set in their third-round matchup, Federer hasn’t been seriously threatened this fortnight. He’s eased himself into a matchup against Gilles Simon, and though the Frenchman has played him tough in previous meetings, Federer has won their last five encounters.
Soaring on confidence, expect Federer to advance to his 10th semifinal berth here to set up an epic duel with Andy Murray, whom he beat in the 2012 final. He may not have a better chance to add another Grand Slam title to his collection.
All statistics are courtesy of ATPWorldTour.com and WTATennis.com unless otherwise noted.
Joe Kennard is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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