Wednesday 3 July 2013 08:59, UK
Even allowing for the early exits of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at this year's Wimbledon, we've four great men's quarter-finals to look forward to.
DAVID FERRER (4) v JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO (8) Both players have reached this stage despite injury. Ferrer has had a knee and ankle problem, while Del Potro has been struggling with his knee - particularly in the first four or five games of his win over Andreas Seppi. Del Potro seemed to lack confidence at the start of that match but by the end he was playing fantastically well. That's where the doubt lies in this contest. If Del Potro plays as he started on Monday, Ferrer will beat him easily, but if he can start as he finished against Seppi then we should see a real contest. For his part, Ferrer seems to grind out wins whether he's injured or not. The Spaniard has played more matches than Del Potro coming into Wimbledon after reaching the final of the French and I think that should have a bearing - plus the head-to-head record is heavily in his favour. I'm surprised that this is Del Potro's first Wimbledon quarter-final but the fact that he beat Djokovic before losing to Roger Federer at the Olympics suggests that he is more than comfortable on the grass. I would probably back Del Potro to win this one if I felt he was 100 per cent fit but I'm not so sure he is and that will be a problem when Ferrer makes him go deep into long rallies. In addition Ferrer returns well - that's one of the reasons he does have a good record against Del Potro, who doesn't like to come forward. I think that's a big advantage to have in your locker any time you play Ferrer. COWAN'S CALL: Ferrer to win in four LUKASZ KUBOT v JERZY JANOWICZ (24) It's remarkable that a small tennis nation like Poland is having such a good Wimbledon - for the second year in succession. Agnieszka Radwanska reached last year's Ladies' final and is back in the semi-finals this year and now these two Davis Cup team-mates players are flying the flag. Both have been helped in no small way by the early exits of Federer and Nadal, of course, yet while Kubot has rather snuck through the draw, Janowicz is really looking the part. His tennis has been a breath of fresh air ever since he reached last year's Paris Masters final. He plays with passion and he is a quality performer too. Not only does he have the big serve but his touch is good too. You never know quite what to expect when two guys from the same country play each other in such a big match. At the age of 22 Janowicz has age on his side and the 24th seed is much higher ranked than 31-year-old Kubot, who is currently the world No 130. I expect Janowicz to rise to the occasion, partly because I'm sure he would have come into this Championships thinking he could make the semi-finals. In contrast it must be beyond Kubot's wildest dreams to be in the quarter-finals let alone the last four. Janowicz is destined for great things - he's going to be a top 10 player - while this might be Kubot's best run in a Grand Slam. COWAN'S CALL: Janowicz to win in straight sets
