Three wins are all the separates eight players from the Wimbledon title. The remaining players in the men’s draw will fight it out today for a place in the semi-final. At stake is a series of records and milestones.
Here are 10 things to follow during day 10 of the tournament.
1. The Over 30s club
Five out of the eight participants are over the age of 30. Equalling the Open Era record for the most players in that age category to reach the quarter-finals of a major event. Should four of those make it to the semifinals, it will be the first time that has happened in the modern game.
Should Roger Federer go on to win this year’s tournament, he will become the first player in history to win five grand slam titles after their 30th birthday.
Players ranked by age
Roger Federer – 36
John Isner – 33
Rafael Nadal – 32
Kevin Anderson – 32
Novak Djokovic – 31
Juan Martin del Potro – 29
Kei Nishikori – 28
Milos Raonic – 27
2. A first since 1981
For the first time since 1981, five different continents will be represented in the men’s quarter-finals. In total there are :-
3 Europeans – Nadal, Federer and Djokovic
2 North Americans – Isner and Raonic
1 African – Anderson
1 Asian – Nishikori
1 South American – Del Potro
3. Federer could create another Wimbledon record
The Swiss top seed is yet to drop a set in this year’s tournament. In fact, the last player to take a set off him at SW19 was Raonic in the semifinals of the tournament back in 2016. Should Federer dismiss Anderson in straight sets today, he would create a new record for most consecutive sets won at the tournament at 35. His current record is 34, which was set between 2005-2006.
The upcoming match will be his 107th at Wimbledon. No other male player has played more matches at the tournament than Federer in the Open Era. The second best is Jimmy Connors at 102.
Number of grand slam matches played by Federer (up to July 11th 2018)
Australian Open – 107
French Open – 81
Wimbledon – 107
US Open – 94
4. Anderson looks to break South Africa’s 35-year drought
1983 was the last time a player from South Africa reached the last four of the grass-court major. Kevin Curren, who later represented America, was denied a place in the final by Chris Lewis. Should Anderson follow in Curren’s footsteps, he would become only the seventh player from his country to reach multiple grand slam semi-finals.
He is already the first South African man to reach the last eight at Wimbledon since Wayne Ferreira back in 1994. A win over Federer would give Anderson his fifth consecutive win on the grass. Something that he is yet to achieve in his career.
5. Nadal’s best run ever (technically speaking)
Like Federer, second seed Nadal is yet to drop a set. Easing past Dudi Sela, Mikhail Kukushkin, Alex de Minaur and Jiri Vesely. Despite his illustrious record, it is the first time the Spaniard has ever reached the last eight at The All England Club without dropping a set.
A win over Del Potro would placed Nadal joint fourth with Ivan Lendl for the most appearances in grand slam semifinals at 28. It will be his fourth consecutive grand slam quarter-final. His longest streak since 2012 where he made 11 appearances between the 2009 US Open and the 2012 French Open.
6. Del Potro aims to match Sabatini
In the tournament’s history, only one Argentinian player has reached the semifinals on multiple occasions. That was Gabriela Sabatini, who did so in 1986, 1990, 1991 and 1992. Del Potro could become the second player from his country to do so with a win over Nadal. He last played in the semifinals back in 2013 when he lost in five sets to Djokovic.
Del Potro is targeting his 6th grand slam semi-final. Should he do so, he would be the second man from his country. Guillermo Vilas has the record at 12.
7. Isner hopes for the 41st time lucky
Isner is aiming to do something that he is yet to achieve since making his debut at the 2007 US Open – make a grand slam semi-final. Should he do so, he would go second in the all-time list for most attempts to reach a major semi-final at 41. Sam Querrey holds the record at 42.
Prior to this year, Isner has never gone beyond the third round at Wimbledon. His only other previous quarter-final appearance in a grand slam occurred at the 2011 US Open.
8. Raonic aims to be Canada’s most consistent player of all-time
To date, only Raonic and Eugenie Bouchard has reached the last four of a major on three separate occasions. The world No.32 could become the first player from his country to reach a fourth if he beats Isner. He has already played in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon more times than any other player from his country with this year being his fourth.
Raonic has a 24-7 win-loss record at Wimbledon, which is his best record in any grand slam event.
9. Djokovic aims to draw level with Sampras
Three-time champion Djokovic is gunning for his 63rd win at the tournament. Should he do so, he would match Pete Sampras for most wins at the tournament in the men’s draw. Placing him joint fourth on the all-time list. Among active players, only Federer has won more matches than him at the event with 95.
A win would also gift Djokovic his 806th on the tour. Putting him equal eighth on the all-time list with Stefan Edberg. It would also elevate him into his 32nd grand slam semi-final.
10. Nishikori aims to end Japan’s wait
There has never been a men’s finalist from Japan. In fact, the last to reach the semifinals of the tournament was Jiro Satoh in 1933. Satoh tragically committed suicide a year later, after disappearing from a ship on route to a Davis Cup tie. Nishikori could end that 85-year wait with a win over Djokovic. If he do so, he would become only the third Japanese player to reach a grand slam semifinal on three or more occasions. Following in the footsteps of Satoh (5) and Kimiko Date (3).
