The men’s singles semifinals at Wimbledon turned out to be quite anticlimactic, with neither going to a fourth set. The total duration of both matches combined was less than four-and-a-half hours.
It was certainly a disappointment for everyone watching, who may have hoped for more close contests, particularly in the second semifinal. In the end both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer swept their opponents aside quite easily to set up a repeat of last year’s championship match.
The outcome of the first semifinal on Friday wasn’t unexpected. Frenchman Richard Gasquet, the twenty-first seed, was a surprise semifinalist. But grass is his favourite surface, and he had played outstanding tennis against Stan Wawrinka to get to that stage.
However he had also played a very long match in the previous round against Wawrinka, winning 11-9 in the fifth set, and his record against Djokovic going into the semifinal was 1-12. He never really had a chance. Still, we were treated to glimpses of his beautiful backhand and it’s good to see Richie Gasquet come back to the top of the men’s game where he belongs.
As for Djokovic, he is back where he belongs as well – in a Grand Slam final. The defending champion was asked after the match whom he thought he would meet there, and he said, astutely, “I cannot see the future.”
Federer proves everyone wrong
We had predicted that Andy Murray would win the title this year. I admit to having underestimated his semifinal opponent. But surely no one could have foreseen the ease with which Roger Federer despatched Murray.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion and father of four will turn 34 next month. He won his first Grand Slam title right here on Centre Court twelve years ago, and his last also here, three years ago. Most of us may have written off his chances to win another now, in what should be the twilight of his career.
But watching Federer play Murray on Friday anyone could have been forgiven for thinking that this was an athlete in his prime. From the very first point, he was quite sublime, serving impossibly well, coming forward all the time, and playing the kind of serve and volley tennis that only his coach and mentor Stefan Edberg could once have dreamed of.
Andy Roddick, commentating on the BBC, said that Federer seemed to be serving better in this match than he did against Roddick in the three finals where he beat him. Federer himself has said that right now he’s playing some of the best tennis of his career. That, if you are a prospective opponent, is a terrifying thought. Which may be why Vijay Amritraj said, “I hope Djokovic is not watching this match.”
Poor Murray tried bravely to put up a fight, and the result was some excellent tennis. All three sets were close. Unfortunately for Murray, he served second in each set, which created additional pressure. Each set ended with Federer breaking Murray just before they could head to a tiebreak. The final score – 7-5, 7-5, 6-4. The British supporters who were hoping their man would make it to another final, or at the very least, provide a thriller, could only watch spellbound. Still, now that we have the finalists lined up, it does seem somewhat fitting to have the top two seeds face off in the title match.
Djokovic will be looking to defend his title and extend his enormous lead in ranking points over the world number two. Federer will be looking to break Pete Sampras’s record by winning eight titles, and also become the oldest man to win Wimbledon.
After his semifinal win, Federer pointed out how difficult Novak has made it for anyone else to win big tournaments. Last year, the Serb won his second Wimbledon title in a very close five-set encounter over Federer -- 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 5-7. 6-4.
So, who will win the championships today?
Why Djokovic may win
This year, Federer has been broken only once on his way to the final. Last year, Federer was broken only once on his way to the final, but Djokovic was able to beat him.
This year, Federer has had a relative easy draw up until the semis, which has probably helped him physically. But Djokovic is a lot more match-tough, having faced some formidable opponents. His fourth round match against Kevin Anderson was particularly competitive. Djokovic came back from two sets down to win and later said it gave him tremendous confidence going forward.
Djokovic is the undisputed number one and is playing like he has something to prove after losing in the French Open final a few weeks ago. His resolve can be hard to counter.
Why Federer may win
In the semis alone, Federer’s form looked better. In fact, it looked perfect. If he serves like he did there, he will be unbeatable. He is high on confidence and has little to lose at this stage of his career.
Djokovic needed treatment on his shoulder a couple of times during his match, raising some concerns among his fans. But he insists he’s fine and that it won’t impact the final. If he’s lying, or wrong, and the shoulder does flare up, Federer will be all over his serve.
Make no mistake. The Centre Crowd (including those in the Royal Box) will be overwhelmingly pulling for the old guy. In the absence of Murray, they will treat Roger as their own. Djokovic is likely to find himself in a Davis Cup-like atmosphere. This may not rattle the hardened pro that he is, but it might well help Federer through some tough moments.
The outcome of this match is really difficult to determine. Like Djokovic, I am tempted to say, I cannot see the future, but it will be a good match. We have Becker and Edberg back on Centre Court. We have the world’s number one and two players looking to extend their fierce rivalry. We have a sentimental favorite against the reigning champion. Whoever takes the trophy home, the biggest winner is going to be Wimbledon.
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It was certainly a disappointment for everyone watching, who may have hoped for more close contests, particularly in the second semifinal. In the end both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer swept their opponents aside quite easily to set up a repeat of last year’s championship match.
The outcome of the first semifinal on Friday wasn’t unexpected. Frenchman Richard Gasquet, the twenty-first seed, was a surprise semifinalist. But grass is his favourite surface, and he had played outstanding tennis against Stan Wawrinka to get to that stage.
However he had also played a very long match in the previous round against Wawrinka, winning 11-9 in the fifth set, and his record against Djokovic going into the semifinal was 1-12. He never really had a chance. Still, we were treated to glimpses of his beautiful backhand and it’s good to see Richie Gasquet come back to the top of the men’s game where he belongs.
As for Djokovic, he is back where he belongs as well – in a Grand Slam final. The defending champion was asked after the match whom he thought he would meet there, and he said, astutely, “I cannot see the future.”
Federer proves everyone wrong
We had predicted that Andy Murray would win the title this year. I admit to having underestimated his semifinal opponent. But surely no one could have foreseen the ease with which Roger Federer despatched Murray.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion and father of four will turn 34 next month. He won his first Grand Slam title right here on Centre Court twelve years ago, and his last also here, three years ago. Most of us may have written off his chances to win another now, in what should be the twilight of his career.
But watching Federer play Murray on Friday anyone could have been forgiven for thinking that this was an athlete in his prime. From the very first point, he was quite sublime, serving impossibly well, coming forward all the time, and playing the kind of serve and volley tennis that only his coach and mentor Stefan Edberg could once have dreamed of.
Andy Roddick, commentating on the BBC, said that Federer seemed to be serving better in this match than he did against Roddick in the three finals where he beat him. Federer himself has said that right now he’s playing some of the best tennis of his career. That, if you are a prospective opponent, is a terrifying thought. Which may be why Vijay Amritraj said, “I hope Djokovic is not watching this match.”
Poor Murray tried bravely to put up a fight, and the result was some excellent tennis. All three sets were close. Unfortunately for Murray, he served second in each set, which created additional pressure. Each set ended with Federer breaking Murray just before they could head to a tiebreak. The final score – 7-5, 7-5, 6-4. The British supporters who were hoping their man would make it to another final, or at the very least, provide a thriller, could only watch spellbound. Still, now that we have the finalists lined up, it does seem somewhat fitting to have the top two seeds face off in the title match.
Djokovic will be looking to defend his title and extend his enormous lead in ranking points over the world number two. Federer will be looking to break Pete Sampras’s record by winning eight titles, and also become the oldest man to win Wimbledon.
After his semifinal win, Federer pointed out how difficult Novak has made it for anyone else to win big tournaments. Last year, the Serb won his second Wimbledon title in a very close five-set encounter over Federer -- 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 5-7. 6-4.
So, who will win the championships today?
Why Djokovic may win
This year, Federer has been broken only once on his way to the final. Last year, Federer was broken only once on his way to the final, but Djokovic was able to beat him.
This year, Federer has had a relative easy draw up until the semis, which has probably helped him physically. But Djokovic is a lot more match-tough, having faced some formidable opponents. His fourth round match against Kevin Anderson was particularly competitive. Djokovic came back from two sets down to win and later said it gave him tremendous confidence going forward.
Djokovic is the undisputed number one and is playing like he has something to prove after losing in the French Open final a few weeks ago. His resolve can be hard to counter.
Why Federer may win
In the semis alone, Federer’s form looked better. In fact, it looked perfect. If he serves like he did there, he will be unbeatable. He is high on confidence and has little to lose at this stage of his career.
Djokovic needed treatment on his shoulder a couple of times during his match, raising some concerns among his fans. But he insists he’s fine and that it won’t impact the final. If he’s lying, or wrong, and the shoulder does flare up, Federer will be all over his serve.
Make no mistake. The Centre Crowd (including those in the Royal Box) will be overwhelmingly pulling for the old guy. In the absence of Murray, they will treat Roger as their own. Djokovic is likely to find himself in a Davis Cup-like atmosphere. This may not rattle the hardened pro that he is, but it might well help Federer through some tough moments.
The outcome of this match is really difficult to determine. Like Djokovic, I am tempted to say, I cannot see the future, but it will be a good match. We have Becker and Edberg back on Centre Court. We have the world’s number one and two players looking to extend their fierce rivalry. We have a sentimental favorite against the reigning champion. Whoever takes the trophy home, the biggest winner is going to be Wimbledon.
