Angelique Kerber versus Daria Kasatkina

At Number 11, Angelique Kerber is now the highest seeded woman remaining at this year's Wimbledon.  She faces a tough task in making good on that seed in her quarterfinal match, however, as she faces a tricky opponent in young gun Daria Kasatkina.  The Russian has certainly demonstrated that she is one to watch with her impressive run to the final of Indian Wells as well as her quarterfinal finish at Roland Garros.  She is hardly the most powerful ball-striker on tour, but as her coach notes, she is an artist on the court.  She gives opponents a multitude of looks at the ball and displays tremendous feel from the baseline and the forecourt.  She also has great court awareness and a mind for point construction.  That is a combination that has served her well in the past against Kerber, against whom she is 3-3.  Kerber for her part may not have the same level of variety, but she is capable of mixing it up to take the fourteenth seed out of a rhythm by utilizing her slice and drop shot. 

Kerber's lefty forehand also tends to do a better job of finding the angles to open up the court and create space.  But the key for Kerber is that she must bear in mind that she does have more firepower if she chooses to use it.  She is more known for her incredible defense, but she can send the ball for a ride, particularly from her backhand wing.  If she commits to stepping in and being the aggressor, then she can rob the Russian of the time she needs to employ her artistry and make this a more straightforward affair.  Lastly, experience favors Kerber.  She is a two-time major champion with a finalist appearance here, and that could be the difference-maker in the pivotal moments, especially late in a set.  History suggests this could be a close one – and given the upsets, the smart money should probably be on the lower-seeded player – but Kerber should find a way to squeak by for the victory.

Serena Williams versus Camila Giorgi

There was a bit of a hoopla surrounding the decision to give Serena Williams a seed at this year's Wimbledon, but she has thus far more than proved it was a wise decision to make.  In fact, since Petra Kvitova was unexpectedly sent packing in the opening round, the American has been the favorite to win the title.  Her next hurdle to the crown comes in the form of Camila Giorgi, and though you would not know it to look at her, the Italian is not someone the big names enjoy seeing on the other side of the net.  The Italian tends to get up for the big matches, and she has garnered a number of upsets over top-ranked opposition throughout her career.  Her success is due to her timing to take the ball on early and hit flat, penetrating groundstrokes, which allows her to play a more imposing brand of tennis than her frame would otherwise suggest. 

She also exhibits admirable anticipation skills and owns a fast set of wheels, allowing her to not only track down balls, but to do something with them when she gets there.  Hers is a high-risk, high-reward game, but she understands how she has to play to find success and is fully committed to it.  Of course, Giorgi is playing someone who is the epitome of an aggressive player in Williams.  The American is one of the most powerful ball-strikers in the history of the sport, and unlike Giorgi, she can play with both power and sufficient margin.  Her court coverage is equal to if not better than that of Giorgi, she holds a decisive edge on serve, and she should enjoy a clear advantage on the return.  If all of that were not enough, the American has a huge mental advantage as well.  She not only has multiple major singles and doubles titles to her credit, but she has yet to drop a set to the Italian.  Some of those sets have been competitive, so if Giorgi can get in the zone, capitalize on any looks on the second serve and keep Williams on the run, there is a chance for an upset.  But it is a very slim chance.  The combination of Williams's game along with her experience at this level should see her safely through to the semifinals.