With the second week of Wimbledon producing a transfer of most of the expected field, the top four specifically, rumblings and chatter have all heightened to the point of jubilation as another bout between Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer looks likely. But, is the rest of the field ready to allow that prized match up? The next two matches for the world’s top two looks anything but easy.
Federer has to go through a red hot Tomas Berdych, who took out the mighty one in a close battle in Miami earlier in the year. Berdych also took Roger to the brink in the 2009 Australian Open taking a two-sets-to-love lead, before Roger suited up in his Federer cape and rescued the show. If he gets through that hurdle, there may be a much renewed Novak “Djoker” Djokovic awaiting him in the semis, who has put together a grass game that looks sharper and sharper, hitting his marks, and stifling his mental demons. Novak has struggled to get an edge in majors against the maestro but in the three set format has proven his mettle. Let’s not forget that when the DJoker gets his cylinders pumping he can beat anyone on any given day, as the 2008 Australian Open has illuminated.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
On the other side of the draw stands Rafa, who much like his nemesis has struggled in the early rounds but seems to have gathered some momentum, somehow evading the clutches of early round defeat and packed some wins behind him. He will next face Robin “Smoldering” Soderling in the semis, a rematch of the French Open final in May, and devoid of the comfort of clay, and its forgiving bounce, Rafa may find himself swimming in Mallorca a lot sooner than he wants. There is nothing Roger fans would love to see more on Super Sunday than Rafa wearing a bathing suit. If Rafa gets through that battle, the war may still be looming as Andy Murray could be mounting his front in the semis, armed with a nation and a return to a game style that wields craftiness and cunning mixed with well timed aggression. Murray was able to blast Nadal off the court in the 2010 Australian Open, something he couldn’t duplicate against Federer in the final, which I believe gives him all the more reason to take more risks and may even give him that extra angst, a bit more of an edge; Murray can sometimes come across as a petulant child, moaning and moping, chalk full of lofty expectations, showing improvement daily, and he really believes he deserves to be in the same room as Rafa and Roger. This may be the stage to prove that undeniably. I can’t think of a better stage than Wimbledon.
At this stage of a Grand Slam, at the business end of the tournament, the great ones are separated from the legends. Roddick, picked by many pundits to win it all, couldn’t make the cut, as he went out to underdog Lu, which I think is very telling. If you look at the track record for Federer and Nadal, what speaks to their legacy is the consistency, the will, the heart, the ability to win matches when their opponents are playing stratosphere tennis and they themselves are somewhere in the basement on that day. And on multiple occasions we’ve seen their basement ascension progress as the tournament trudges on. The second week is their moment to shine. Roger’s last two matches have brought replenished faith from loyal fans, walking off center court with straight set victories. In the Melzer match, we saw some vintage Federer with the movement and shot making at a normal level for him, an unreal level for most. This Sunday could be tennis’s version of the ‘Thrilla in Manilla.’ Or maybe the “Greatest Rematch of All Time”?
I think it will be Federer vs. Murray
I'm hoping for a Federer vs. Soderling final. Roger needs Roland Garros revenge!
It will be a glorious finish to Wimbledon, the most open championship finale in memory!!
Nice post. I can definitely see a Federer – Nadal rematch in the works. It would be a great display of tennis as usual, and a wonderful way to cap an already amazing Wimbledon.
By the way, I've linked to your site from my blog:
TenaciouslyTennis.com
-Ben
hey thanks for mentioning Manila. And this Sunday we will see again the greatest Tennis Players who will fight the Greatest Grand Slam in tennis history. That's Rafa and Roger.
Will we ever see a Rafa/Roger Final ever again?? Is this the end of an era?
no – bc Federer is ousted again this year. yippee
one week late, but the old man is taken down. should have happened last week if the Falla knew how to close someone out.
sorry – it wont be. Fed almost lost to 2 nobodys, then whipped 2 old men. first reputable person he played this tourney, and he slammed. period.
sorry brucelee, wrong again . . . the might fed is just all rust
There is nothing Roger fans would love to see more on Super Sunday than Rafa wearing a bathing suit.
sorry . . . i think not.
dream on.
the Bull will take it again
"Murray can sometimes come across as a petulant child, moaning and moping, chalk full of lofty expectations."
i agree: that is if u Put Federer as the subject of this sentence. Whenever he loses which thankfully if quite often these days, he is the lousiest loser imaginable. Somehow he couldnt find it in him to give Berdych his due after Berdych blasted him off the court.
thank god Fed is out. I hope he does vacation so we dont have to hear anymore whining.
hey stacey, your bitterness is unbecoming. hate breeds hate. i wish u the best. try and avoid being miserable all the time.. its better for your soul…
i think you are mistaken my happiness today for your bitterness today. my man won. i am just pointing out the obvious – federer is a terrible loser, and again, it was evidenced today. thank you brucelee. unlike you,i am happy today
think you are mistaken my happiness today for your bitterness today. my man won. i am just pointing out the obvious – federer is a terrible loser, and again, it was evidenced today. thank you brucelee. unlike you,i am happy today
Guys, please tone it down. Dont turn this into a flamewar or anything. Please ?