The ladies had their day on Tuesday. Now, the gentlemen will own the Wednesday spotlight on Centre Court and Court No. 1, as The Championships continue. Who’s to be taken seriously as the round of eight arrives? The short answer: A majority of the field. The longer answer: Keep reading.

Gentlemen’s Quarterfinals – All Matches on Wednesday

Top Half of Draw

Lleyton Hewitt vs. (6) Andy Roddick; (3) Andy Murray vs. Juan Carlos Ferrero

Hewitt, at 28, is one of the many old-guard faces in this crowd of Wimbledon men. The average age of the gentlemen’s quarterfinalists is 27 years and 4 months; the only two competitors younger than Roddick’s 26 are Murray and Novak Djokovic (who resides in the bottom half of the draw). Hewitt has fought admirably to get to this stage so late in his career. The Australian has been hampered for much of the past two years by injuries, but the two-time Grand Slam champion has worked his way back to a major quarterfinal for the first time since 2006. Congratulations and commendations are in order for “Rusty,” but that’s all he should expect as the tournament moves forward. Hewitt: PRETENDER.

Roddick isn’t winning tournaments, but the man now coached by Larry Stefanki–who guided Fernando Gonzalez to the 2007 Australian Open final and worked with John McEnroe in the past–has become even more consistent at this stage in his career. Roddick has reached the quarterfinals or semifinals of each significant fast-surface tournament on the calendar: The Australian (semis), Indian Wells (semis), Miami (quarters), and now Wimbledon. In addition to those performances on hardcourt and grass, Roddick attained his best-ever showing at the French (fourth round), and also made the quarterfinals of the Masters-level Madrid Open event in may. A leaner, faster Roddick has improved his defense and added a small amount of juice to his groundstrokes. He still can’t excel at net, but then again, today’s men’s game doesn’t place a lot of emphasis on one’s volleying skills. Can this veteran win the title that’s eluded him for so long? It’s entirely possible: Roddick won’t have to deal with Roger Federer until the final, and even then, the newly-married man might not even have to face the Swiss if he earns a ticket to Sunday’s showcase. Roddick: CONTENDER.

Murray cruised through his first three rounds, but in round four, the Scotsman was ambushed by nerves and an inconsistent forehand that betrayed him repeatedly. Murray destroyed Stanislas Wawrinka in the round of 16 at the 2008 U.S. Open, but the No. 3 seed needed five erratic sets to get the job done on this occasion. Yet, all that matters in championship tennis (besides health, of course) is being able to advance, especially when all cylinders are not firing as they should. Murray would have lost the Wawrinka match two years ago; now, the 22-year-old possesses far more maturity. That should certainly serve him well in the coming days. Murray: CONTENDER.

Ferrero is the first wild card recipient to ride that generous invitation into the quarterfinals since Goran Ivanisevic made the round of eight–and then went on to win Wimbledon outright–in 2001. The joyride over the past nine days has served as a deliciously satisfying moment for “The Mosquito,” who–for a former world No. 1–has kept a low profile over the past several years on tour. That under-the-radar identity would cease to exist if Ferrero were to upend Murray on Wednesday. Don’t expect that to happen. Ferrero: PRETENDER.

Bottom Half

(24) Tommy Haas vs. (4) Novak Djokovic; (22) Ivo Karlovic vs. (2) Roger Federer

Haas, a former world No. 2 and a man who twice took Federer to a fifth set in the fourth round of a Grand Slam (last month’s French Open, but also the fourth round of the 2006 Australian Open), is to be taken seriously. Fortunately, Djokovic knows that already. The Serb lost to Haas in the final of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany, a few weeks ago. Haas owns some fabulously crisp groundstrokes, but the mentally erratic performer is not the kind of guy who is ready to win three matches against top-tier opponents. Haas: PRETENDER.

Djokovic’s down period–bridging the Madrid Open and the French Open–is apparently over. The No. 4 seed is playing like one of the big boys in men’s tennis, and that means any of his opponents–Federer and Murray very much included–will need to play close to their very best if they want to deny the Djoker his second Grand Slam crown. Djokovic: CONTENDER.

Karlovic might be playing in his first-ever slam quarterfinal at age 30, but with the way the 6-10 Croatian is throwing down service bombs, inexperience really doesn’t matter all that much. Perhaps “Doctor Ivo” will flinch in one more tiebreak than he can afford; then again, remember that another huge-serving stud picked off one Wimbledon, despite a lack of long-term credentials in the sport: Richard Krajicek. The Dutchman served Pete Sampras off the court in the 1996 quarterfinals, and eventually rolled to the title against Malivai Washington. Karlovic could be this year’s Krajicek; he has the ability–and the surging confidence–to pull off the coup. He’s more than just a floater if he can threaten the foe named Federer. Do take note of Ivo’s one big liability going forward: The Croatian is 0-11 in five-set matches at slams in his career. Karlovic: CONTENDER.

Gee–Federer wouldn’t be anything but a contender. What must be said, though, is that while the Swiss is in fine form at The Championships, the draw is not being kind to the 14-time major champion (which is thematically and situationally appropriate; the man has to earn these crowns if he wants to add to his already-considerable stature). Karlovic could serve Federer out of Wimbledon in much the same way that Michael Stich hit Stefan Edberg out of SW19 in the 1991 semifinals: Namely, by winning three tiebreaks despite failing to break Edberg’s serve. Karlovic shouldn’t get many sniffs against Fed’s serve, but if Ivo is serving up aces left and right, it might not matter. The quarterfinals will be enough of a challenge for Federer; a potential semi against Djokovic wouldn’t be a walk in the park; neither would a possible final against Murray. Fed’s playing well, but he might have to be even better in the days ahead if he wants to keep moving on. Federer: CONTENDER.