Wimbledon 2015: Men's Round of 16 preview

5 Vasek Pospisil vs Viktor Troicki

Viktor Troicki has had a successful outing on grass courts this month

Head to Head: First meeting

When the draw was made, a Spaniard was expected to make it through this section. But one withdrew and the other continued his annual early exit at SW19. In the absence of both David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal, the section became wide open to others. Among the benefactors was James Ward, who made it to the third round for the first time in his career.The match deciding the quarterfinalist will feature Vasek Pospisil and Viktor Troicki.

Pospisil is making his maiden appearance at the second week of a slam. Troicki has been to this stage earlier, but not farther, In the current situation, the likely winner us Viktor Troicki, He has managed a steady comeback after his injury woes. This grass season has also been an eventful one for him. So a quarterfinal appearance will not come as a surprise to many

Prediction: Viktor Troicki to win in four sets

6. Ivo Karlovic vs Andy Murray

Andy Murray on course for a much-awaited semi-final against Roger Federer

Head to Head overall: 5-0

Head to Head on grass: 1-0

As scheduled, the home favourite Andy Murray is on his way to seek another Wimbledon title. He will next face Croat Ivo Karlovic in the last 16 stage. The Croat, at thirty-six years of age, is still a force to reckon.He has manifested himself as a dangerous opponent with good wins over in-form Alexander Dolgopolov and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the last two round.

This only makes Murray’s task more difficult. In the absence of David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal, his path to the semifinals looked clear, and not the Croat offers some resistance. Even then, Murray should manage a win safely make it to the next round

Prediction: Andy Murray to win in five sets

7. Tomas Berdych vs Gilles Simon

Gilles Simon looks to make his maiden quarterfinal at the Wimbledon

Head to Head overall: 4-6

Head to Head on grass: First meeting

Despite it being a battle of non-contenders, the Tomas Berdych-Gilles Simon encounter would be one of the fiercest clashes on Monday. Though they have been seeded to reach this round, there were some uncertainty regarding their meeting as they had to face some dangerous opponents en route. Tomas Berdych is a former finalist while Simon has not progressed beyond this stage in his nine previous appearances.

Will ten be lucky? Probably. Simon is definitely in good form following decent showings at pre-Wimbledon tournaments. Berdych, on the other hand, suffered an early loss to Ivo Karlovic at Halle. One loss might not deter a former finalist trying to retrace his steps. At present, both have the ability to make it through though Simon might have a little advantage. For tennis fans, this is surely going to be a thriller of a contest to look forward to.

Prediction: Gilles Simon to win in five sets

8. Roberto Bautista Agut vs Roger Federer

Roger Federer will look to continue his march for a eighth Wimbledon title

Head to Head overall: 2-0

Head to Head on grass: First meeting

Entering the fray as one of the favourites to lift the title, Roger Federer had an easy first week at SW19. His second and third round opponents, Sam Querrey and Sam Groth, were no pushovers as they displayed some determined tennis in the past few weeks apart from having been comfortable on grass courts for quite some time.Yet, the maestro has faced little resistance in the first three matches, having lost just one set so far. His opponent on Monday will be the 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut.

The Spaniard has played some of his best tennis in the last two years and has managed a top 25 rank for most of the time. He even has a grass court title to his credit, having won the Topshelf open last year. Despite career defining achievements, he will find it very hard to defeat Federer. If Federer were to lose, it will have to be of his own making, Given the form that he has shown so far, it would most likely be a fourth win on the trot for Federer

Prediction: Roger Federer to win in straight sets