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Murray and Nadal:

Can Andy Murray possibly beat Rafael Nadal of Spain to reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon today? My answer; well I've tried really hard but I cannot make a sound, logical and impartial prediction that he can.

Gerry Williams
Quotes of the week

Today we make history in London at SW19. It's the first time in the modern era when all eight men on parade for a Grand Slam quarter-final come from Europe.

I emphasise the point just in case the rest of the world think that we Brits are so Murraynated right now we can't take a global view.

But I won't dodge the big issue; can Andy Murray possibly beat Rafael Nadal of Spain to reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon today? My answer? Well I've tried really hard but I cannot make a sound, logical and impartial prediction that he can.

Having recorded that rather sombre thought the fact is at this level of sport everyone has a chance. The great unknown is whether Murray - who I think will peak in about three years' time - will be completely refreshed after the overwhelming physical and emotional experience of Monday night's victory, but even he won't know himself until he is out there in the fray again.

There are two things which could help Murray against Nadal. The first is that in Melbourne a year and a half ago he extended the Spaniard to five sets on a hard court.

The other is that one of Murray's gifts is inventiveness - angles, drop shots, changing of pace - which could make it difficult for Nadal to do the things that he thrives on. That is to thump the ball with fury, muscled and metronomic, off both wings of the base line.

It's going to be risky for Murray, but he should take those risks. Here's to him.

Records

The men's quarter-final head-to-head records may interest you with all eight players on court today. The number one seed and favourite in my mind, Roger Federer, leads Marico Ancic by five matches to one.

Marat Safin is once again making the headlines again after knocking out Novak Djokovic last week but he will have to raise his game once again if he is to beat Spaniard Felicano Lopez, who has won four out of five matches between the pair.

Rainer Schuettler also leads his head-to-head with Arnaud Clement 4-1, while Murray is yet to beat Nadal in three meetings.

Super powers

The women's semi-finals tomorrow will bring together the world's super powers; two Americans, a Russian and a Chinese player.

In the top half of the draw it will be Ji Zheng, the unseeded wild card and the conqueror of the world number one Ana Ivanovic, up against Serena Williams.

In the bottom half the holder Venus Williams will be challenged by the Russian Elena Dementieva. And with no Americans left in the men's draw, the USA needs a Venus and Serena Wimbledon final.

Today's final thought. For years tennis sages have mused upon the inserts of the mind in this most tantalising of sports and in yesterday's beautiful and warm sunshine the debate came up again.

It was all about Dementieva and her Centre Court quarter-final against her Russian compatriot Nadia Petrova. Now a little background is needed first and those who followed the French Open may recall that the Dementieva had two set points against Dinara Safina for a place in the semi-finals, but failed to win.

Yesterday she built a lead of 6-1 and 5-1 and looked set to record a comfortable victory, but then she butterfingered it again losing the second set!

This time, however, one way or another she managed to hold her mind together and in then end she came through in the final set. It really is a mental game.

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