Muguruza, Halep, Raonic win in bumper day on No.2 Court

For all the flak Wimbledon organisers have copped for their scheduling decisions this year, one must sympathise with them on ‘Manic Monday’.

With all 16 men’s and women’s fourth-round matches played on a bumper day at the All England Club, this year there were several which would be worthy of appearing on Centre Court.

Really no good reason Kerber & Muguruza are on No. 2 Court. They should be on Centre Court or No. 1. One of Big 4 men should have been moved

— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) July 10, 2017

But with only three slots available on the storied arena, several other mouthwatering clashes were assigned to smaller, outer courts.

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No.2 Court is the tertiary show court at Wimbledon, tucked away in the south-eastern pocket of the grounds. It seats a touch over 4,000 spectators around the sunken grasscourt. And it’s roster on Monday could have rivalled a semifinal day on a major stadium at another Grand Slam event.

First up was Angelique Kerber v Garbine Muguruza. A world No.1 versus a former world No.2. The past two Wimbledon finalists. Both major champions.

And they produced a two-hour, 20-minute battle royale, widely hailed as the match of the tournament.

Muguruza emerged a 4-6 6-4 6-4 winner, her relentless aggression and willingness to attack the net proving a shade better than Kerber’s incredible consistency, counterpunching and athletic defence.

The Spaniard, who reached the final here in 2015, smacked 55 winners during the contest; the two women combined for 82 winners against 62 errors in a high-quality affair.

“I know I won it, but I think was a good match for both of us. We battle out there. Every point we give our best,” said Muguruza, who goes on to face No.7 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarterfinals.

“Every match that I play against Kerber is like that. I remember two years ago when we played here, was a quite similar match.

“I like to take my chances, go for it. I’m not trying to hope in anything. That’s what I was doing. That’s part of my game also, to go for it.”

There've been some absolute epics in the women's at @Wimbledon this year and there's another out on court 2 right now ???? #kerber #muguruza

— Naomi Broady (@NaomiBroady) July 10, 2017

Kerber’s loss saw the German relinquish her No.1 ranking. And the woman who followed her onto No.2 Court could be the one to usurp it.

That player was Simona Halep, who took on comeback queen Victoria Azarenka in just her second tournament back after becoming a mother in December.

Second seed Halep emerged a straight-sets winner and now must beat No.6 seed Johanna Konta in the quarterfinals to ascend to the top ranking.

The last time Azarenka and Halep met was in a US Open quarterfinal thriller on Arthur Ashe Stadium, a match which Halep won 6-4 in the third against the two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No.1.

Monday’s match was a less enthralling affair, but it was a satisfying one for Halep on many levels; she trailed 4-2 in the opening set but dominated the ensuing tiebreak and built a 5-0 second-set lead.

The 7-6(3) 6-2 victory also saw her tie head-to-head record against Azarenka at 2-2.

“I knew that is going to be a tough one. Like I said, even she stayed so long, she’s back and she’s playing great. I think was a pretty good tennis out there,” said Halep, who sealed victory on her fourth match point.

“I’m really pleased with the way I finished the first set. It was very close. The tiebreak actually I played really well. I can say that I felt more relaxed, and I just stepped in and I hit stronger.”

The victory also put Halep one step closer to an elusive Grand Slam title, which came tantalisingly close in the recent Roland Garros final when she lead Jelena Ostapenko by a set and 3-0, and by 3-1 in the third set, only to fall.

This is her third trip to the quarterfinals at SW19; in 2014 she advanced to the semis.

“I think I’m stronger, also mentally and the game. I feel that I play much better than previous years. I feel confident. I feel that I have a chance always when I go on court. I really believe in myself that I can win every match I play,” the Romanian said.

“I think that’s the most important thing in my inside, like in my mind.”

Following the women onto No.2 Court were Milos Raonic and Alexander Zverev, a battle pitting last year’s Wimbledon finalist against one of the game’s hottest young prospects.

And the match certainly delivered.

Much like the day’s first match on the same court, this contest was a memorable affair, desperately close – for four sets at least – and highlighted by impressive shotmaking.

Zverev, the more emotive and demonstrative of the pair, looked destined to notch a breakthrough Grand Slam quarterfinal result when he led the stoic Canadian by two sets to one.

Yet Raonic, who reached last year’s Wimbledon final and who is playing himself back into form on grass, demonstrated the benefits of greater experience, focus and conditioning in a 4-6 7-5 4-6 7-5 6-1 triumph.

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The result sets up a Wimbledon rematch with Roger Federer, whom Raonic beat in the semifinals 12 months ago to advance to his first Grand Slam final.

“There was a lot of moments where it didn’t look necessarily to be going my way. I just tried to stick around, tried to show in a way that I just wanted it badly, if not more. It paid off,” Raonic said.

“That game to break in the fourth was important at 5-6. Then I just got a little bit on a ride after that. He sort of dropped off a bit.

“I think (experience is) definitely a part of it. Experience and just I’ve been in that situation definitely more times than he has. It just came together nicely for me.”

Nicely, too, for the crowd who had No.2 Court tickets and got to enjoy one of the more memorable Monday experiences at a Grand Slam tennis tournament.