Wimbledon 2013: Underdogs Who Are Legit Semifinal Contenders

Underdogs have been the main story at the All England Club.

Throughout the first three rounds of Wimbledon, there have been tons of upsets. The lower seeds have risen to the occasion on several opportunities and that’s the main reason why so many contenders have been bounced already.

Take Rafael Nadal, for instance. Nadal fell in the first round for the first time at a major tournament over the course of his entire career. Or what about Roger Federer, who fell in the second round? Federer was supposed to be one of the favorites to win the title this year. Now, he’s out.

There have been some major losses—as well as some injuries—on the women’s side of the tournament, and there are just two top-eight players still alive. Maria Sharapova was one of the top seeds to get upset, as she didn’t even win a set in her second-round loss to Michelle Larcher De Brito.

As fourth round play begins Monday, who are the underdogs bound to advance all the way to the semifinals, if not further? Here are two men and a woman who have what it takes to make it to the Final Four in their respective brackets, with notes and analysis on who stands in their way.

Tomas Berdych

Fourth-Round Opponent: Bernard Tomic

Quarterfinal Matchup: Novak Djokovic/Tommy Haas

Don’t count Novak Djokovic as a lock for the semifinals just yet. There are two players who could definitely knock off the top player in the world beforehand. First Djokovic has to get by Tommy Haas, who is the underdog, but is also someone who has what takes to defeat him. Even if Haas falls, Tomas Berdych can top him.

Berdych played well through the first two rounds, not losing a single set. He was definitely tested against Kevin Anderson in the third round, who really gave the No. 7 seed a run for his money. Berdych dropped the first set but bounced back to win the next three. He’s been great at limiting his unforced errors.

While Djokovic isn’t a lock for the quarterfinals, Berdych definitely is. Bernard Tomic has had a great run at Wimbledon—taking out two seeded opponents, including Richard Gasquet—but Berdych will end all hopes of advancing past the third round.

Djokovic does have 13 wins against Berdych in their previous matchups, but Berdych has a pair, and one came on grass. Berdych was the one who upset Djokovic in the semifinals at Wimbledon back in 2010. Berdych and Haas have met twice, with Berdych winning the only grass matchup. Look for Berdych in the semifinals.

Sloane Stephens

Fourth-Round Opponent: Monica Puig

Quarterfinal Matchup: Marion Bartoli/Karin Knapp

It hasn’t been a smooth trip to the fourth round for Sloane Stephens, but she’s been able to overcome several tests. Stephens will be taking on Monica Puig in the fourth round, which will be the first time she’s ever played in a fourth-round match at Wimbledon. Her previous best finish was a year ago, when she exited in the third.

Stephens cruised past Jamie Hampton in the first round, defeating her countrywomen in straight sets. The next two matches for the up-and-coming American were much tougher. It took three sets to take down Andrea Petkovic and an additional three to defeat Petra Cetkovska.

Stephens and Puig have never played each other, but with three big wins, Stephens easily has the edge. She has shown that she can play with the best in recent months and will surely advance to the quarterfinal stage. Another benefit for Stephens is that she has the easiest path to the semifinals.

Every other group of four has a top-10 player in it except for Stephens’. Bartoli is the highest seed in Stephens’ group and is not much better than Stephens. When the two meet in the quarterfinals, it’ll be Stephens who comes out on top. She’ll make it to her second major semifinal in 2013 with the victory.

Juan Martin Del Potro

Fourth-Round Opponent: Andreas Seppi

Quarterfinal Matchup: David Ferrer/Ivan Dodig

Juan Martin Del Potro enters the fourth round on fire. No one has been able to stop him thus far, albeit he hasn’t played many difficult opponents yet. Del Potro has yet to lose a set at Wimbledon and has only committed 35 unforced errors through three matches. That’s what needs to happen in order for him to continue to keep winning.

Del Potro has never made it to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, falling in the fourth round in each of the last two years. This year, however, will be different. Andreas Seppi doesn’t stand much of a chance against the No. 8 seed in the tournament. The Italian has won two matches in five sets and one because his opponent retired.

Once Del Potro makes quick work of Seppi, he’ll likely be taking on David Ferrer in the quarterfinals. Ivan Dodig is lucky to have made is this far, and the French Open runner-up will definitely eliminate him. Del Potro hasn’t had much success against Ferrer in the past, but expect the upset in the quarterfinals.

In eight career matches, Ferrer has won six—both on grass. Ferrer was the reason why Del Potro didn’t advance to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon last year, as the Spaniard won in straight sets. With a bad taste in his mouth, look for Del Potro to avenge his 2012 fourth-round loss.