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Can anyone stop big three in Wimbledon men's singles draw?

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have all breezed into the Wimbledon quarter-finals, but is anyone capable of stopping two of them reaching Sunday's final?

The ATP Tour has a wide array of talent coming through the system right now, leading to everyone trying to predict who will be the first to end the big three's stranglehold on the four major titles. However, as it stands, the ultimate breakthrough looks unlikely to happen at this year's Wimbledon with the likes of Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas both suffering early exits and each of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer all breezing through to the quarter-finals with neither player being taken the distance. It leaves the prospect of another star-studded final looking a near certainty, but can any of the remaining five players cause a surprise?

The best value with your Wimbledon odds could come from betting on Kei Nishikori. The Japanese superstar has never reached the last four at SW19 and although he is yet to face a seeded player in this tournament, there is no doubt that he has looked impressive. Roger Federer stands in his way after thrashing Matteo Berrettini, but Nishikori's game-style may trouble the nine-time champion on courts which are not as fast as in previous years. While you can get Nishikori to progress at 6/1, we think you should have nibbles at either man to prevail in five sets, which can be had at 13/2 and 18/1 respectively.

Roger Federer pictured at Wimbledon on July 8, 2019© Reuters

You may also find it difficult to ignore Sam Querrey, a former semi-finalist at Wimbledon. The big-serving American has already defeated Djokovic and Andy Murray on these courts, and there is value in taking at least one set off Nadal on Wednesday. Going with a 3-1 Nadal win at 13/5 stands out, but it is also difficult to ignore Querrey at 13/2. The 31-year-old now finds himself down at 65th in the ATP World Rankings, although that is more reflective on his preference being grass, a surface which is only used for one month a year.

Djokovic faces a test in the form of David Goffin, despite the underdog being available at 11/1. The Belgian has had to fight hard in order to reach this stage of Wimbledon for the first time in his career, but he registered a win over Djokovic in their last meeting two years ago. While that clash came on clay, there is definitely a slowness about the Wimbledon show courts this year and that will only benefit the energetic 28-year-old. You can make a case for Djokovic coming through in three comfortable sets, but you cannot ignore that the world number one has gone the distance with Goffin in two of their last four meetings. Djokovic to come through in four sets is probably the way to go.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during his fourth round match against France's Ugo Humbert on July 8, 2019© Reuters

The other quarter-final sees Guido Pella face Roberto Bautista Agut, two men who have never made the last eight of Wimbledon in their careers. Both will be aware that this may be their one and only shot to reach the final of this tournament, and it is Bautista Agut who gets the nod with us. Pella has done incredibly well to dispose of former finalists Kevin Anderson and Milos Raonic, but hauling himself back from two sets down against the latter may have taken everything out of him. Bautista Agut is yet to drop a set, and there is value in a straight-sets triumph at 27/20.

Such is the expectations regarding the big three that each of the outsiders are at 50/1 and above. It would be unrealistic to expect Nadal and Federer to be defeated in consecutive matches by the same player, so backing Bautista Agut is probably the way to go. If he overcomes a jaded Pella, he will face a player in Djokovic who he has defeated in their last two meetings. The pair have yet to go head to head on grass but despite Djokovic's success on this surface, it may play into the world number 22's favour.

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Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts during his fourth round match against Portugal's Joao Sousa on July 8, 2019
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