(June 29, 2013) --
Jerzy Janowicz, Lukasz Kubot, Adrian Mannarino and
Jurgen Melzer.
One of these four men will, based on their efforts, become a Wimbledon semifinalist in a few days time. In perhaps one of the most unpredictable fortnights in recent memory, the early losses of
Roger Federer and
Rafael Nadal have paved the way for an unexpected player to possibly contend for the men's finals next Sunday.
One is a veteran. Two are journeymen. And the other is a rising star who this time last year most people had never heard of. Who exactly are these guys and what should we expect from all when they face off against each other in fourth round action?
Lukasz Kubot vs. Adrian Mannarino
Mannarino from France is perhaps the most unexpected of the men contending during the second week of Wimbledon. Although he is still 25, Mannarino has had something of a roller coaster career so far. He did crack the ATP top 50 back in 2011, but he currently sits just outside of the top 100 rankings.
Since 2011, Mannarino has only won one ATP main draw match in over two years. After defeating Spain's
Pablo Andujar in the opening round of this year's Wimbledon, Mannarino advanced into the third round when his then-opponent
John Isner retired due to injury. Mannarino then ended the popular run of Germany's
Dustin Brown to reach the fourth round for the first time in his career.
Kubot, with his throwback serve and volley game, is known more for his doubles prowess. Although he reached a career high of No. 41 in singles back in 2010, Kubot has won eight ATP doubles titles. Kubot, who hails from Poland, finally beat France's
Benoit Paire on Saturday after losing to him four times earlier to reach the round of 16.
Ranked No. 130 in the world, this is Kubot's second appearance in the round of 16, having done so back in 2011.
No. 24 seed Jerzy Janowicz vs. Jurgen Melzer
It was at last year's Wimbledon that Poland's Jerzy Janowicz first showed promise that he could become a top 20 player. That year he emerged from qualifying to beat Latvia's
Ernests Gulbis in five sets before losing to Germany's
Florian Mayer in the next round - also in five sets.
Janowicz made his breakthrough at the end of the year when he reached the finals of the Paris Indoors event, losing to eventual champion
David Ferrer. At this year's Wimbledon, Janowicz used his trademark big serve and deft touch to upset No. 15 seed
Nicolas Almagro.
Melzer has tasted title success at Wimbledon, but mainly in doubles. He won the men's doubles title in 2011 with Germany's
Philipp Petzschner and the Mixed Doubles title with
Iveta Benesova, who he later married.
A former top 10 singles player, Melzer ended the run of
Sergiy Stakhovsky, who upset Federer in the second round this year. Melzer reached the fourth round in singles back in 2010. Having reaching the semifinals in singles at the French Open in 2010, the Austrian native certainly has the most experience going in to next week.
Getting to the fourth round and perhaps even further will not only be a career achievement for any of these men, but will also help them extend their careers thanks to the amount of the prize money and ranking points they will earn. They may not be among the most recognizable names in the draw this year, but one among them will be remembered as having reached the final four of the sport's biggest tournament.
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(Photo Credit: CameraSport) |