This is the most interesting gang of sixteen in many years. The field is talent-laden and the strong have survived. The Big Four, Nadal, Djokovic, Federer and Murray are favorites to advance but top seed Rafael Nadal will have a journey on Monday.

The top seed is set to meet very dangerous Juan Martin Del Potro on Monday. Del Potro downed Gilles Simon 7-6 (8), 7-6 (5), 6-4. Simon pressured Del Potro at every turn. The Argentinean is serving with malice but unlike Isner who took Nadal five sets in Paris, Del Potro can hit winners off the deck.

On Saturday, Nadal fought off a challenge from Gilles Mueller, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 6-0. The Del Potro matchup is heavily anticipated and certain to be a barnburner. From here, this has the look and feel of a heavyweight match that may well be the best tennis in the tournament.

Number Two, Novak Djokovic, received a stern challenge from Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis. The tenacious Baghdatis had the crowd the edge of their seats with his ability to track down sure winners. But, Novak Djokovic has so many ways to beat opponents. He may not have the most powerful serve in the game, but it is one reliable weapon. In the four set, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 match there was just one break in each set. Baghdatis had several chances to push for a fifth set but could not convert.

Michael Llorda will oppose Djokovic in the next round. Llorda has a relatively entrée into the Round of Sixteen. He downed Yen-Hsun Li, 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.

The upset of the day was Bernard Tomic’s straight set win over the fifth seed, Robin Soderling. The media like Tomic and for good reason. The youngest player in Monday’s play used his speed and his big serve to carve out a 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 win. This was a decisive win for the Aussie.

On Monday, Tomic will meet Belgium’s Xavier Malisse, who downed 11th seed Jurgen Melzer. 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-0. Tomic has 13 aces and 35 outright winners against Soderling, who was shaky last time out.

Another Monday thriller will feature Jo Willy Tsonga (12) against David Ferrer. Tsonga may be playing the best tennis of his life. Ferrer has also been hot. This is certainly a match to watch.

Second seed Roger Federer will face Mikhail Youhzny, who upset Nicolas Almagro. Federer was very sharp in taking out longtime rival David Nalbandian.

Andy Roddick’s victor Feliciano Gonzales will be face surprise winner Lukosz Kubot. Lukasz took out France’s Gael Monfils in four sets. Monfils seemed comfortable after dropping the first set and winning the second. But, Kubot hit a wave and left Monfils without a response. This loss is hard defeat for Monfils, who has a poor Grand Slam record.

The lone American survivor, Mardy Fish, will square off against determined Czech Tomas Berdych. The winner will play the winner of the Murray match.

Of course, all eyes will be on Centre Court when Scotsman Andy Murray meets France’s Richard Gasquet. Gasquet has done well to reach the Round of Sixteen. Murray will have an extra day’s rest and will look to assert himself.

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