When the Wimbledon draw was revealed two weeks ago, the top-half semifinal was expected to be a rematch of last year’s final between Roger Federer and Marin Cilic. It turned out to be Kevin Anderson vs. John Isner.
Cilic exited early and Federer, in even more shocking fashion, fell to Anderson from two sets up during quarterfinal action on Wednesday. The 6’8” South African’s reward is an incredible opportunity to reach his second Grand Slam title match, but it certainly won’t be easy against Isner. These two former college rivals have squared off on 11 previous occasions, with Isner leading the head-to-head series 8-3. It was once 3-3 before the 6’10” American reeled off five wins in a row, including two during this stretch that required nothing but tiebreakers–7-6(3), 6-7(8), 7-6(7) at the 2012 Shanghai Masters and 6-7(3), 7-6(2), 7-6(2) in the 2013 Atlanta final.
Something along those lines was expected when Isner went up against Milos Raonic in the Wimbledon quarterfinals. And that is how things transpired through two sets, but the world No. 10 eventually took control and prevailed 6-7(5), 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-3. In what is by far his best-ever performance at the All-England Club, Isner preceded that result by beating Yannick Maden, Ruben Bemelmans, Radu Albot, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. The reigning Miami Masters champion has not been broken a single time through five rounds, but he did have to save two match points from 15-40 down at 4-5 in his fifth set against Bemelmans.
“Pure elation right now,” Isner said following his win over Raonic. “Very, very happy to be in this position right now in the semifinals. With how I’m feeling physically and mentally, I’m in a very good spot. I think I can keep doing damage here. This is amazing; it’s by far the best Grand Slam I’ve ever played in my career, and I’ve been playing for 11 years. I’m super happy. To do it here at Wimbledon makes it even a little bit more special.”
Anderson had also never reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals, but he advanced to the second week three times in his previous four appearances and he has not lost in less than five sets at this event since 2014 (to Andy Murray in the fourth round). So the No. 8 seed’s performance comes as no real surprise–at least no real surprise until Wednesday. On the heels of victories over Norbert Gombos, Andreas Seppi, Philipp Kohlschreiber, and Gael Monfils, Anderson saved one match point and stunned Federer 2-6, 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-4, 13-11. Paling only in comparison to Isner, the 32-year-old has blasted 124 aces in five matches–at least 20 on every occasion.
“John has got arguably one of the best serves of all time on the tour,” Anderson said of his opponent who has fired 160 aces this fortnight (64 past Bemelmans alone). “Especially in the last few months what’s really impressive is just his first-serve percentage, as well, never mind how accurate and big the serve is.
“In the matches I’ve played him, obviously taking care of your serve is the first priority. It’s a match that’s often won on just a couple of points here and there. I feel confident in baseline exchanges quite a lot with John. At the same time, because he’s such a big player, has so much firepower, you just can’t be too patient. You have to still be aggressive and put him on the back foot.”
That’s not going to happen when Isner serves, as he has put no less than a whopping 69 percent of his first serves in play during every match of this tournament. The pressure will be on Anderson to hold every time he toes the line–something he failed to do four times against Monfils and three times against Federer.
Isner has played the big points better than Anderson over their last five meetings and based on how he is serving these days, more of the same is likely to continue.
Pick: Isner in 4
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They might postpone the second SF to tomorrow after the Ladies’ Final which will only take 1 hour anyway.
Seriously?!
The way things have gone, perhaps half hour, lo!! This just makes me mad!!
They will def have to postpone Rafa/Novak match. Not fair! Grass court tennis should be played in the open under natural light!!! Choops!!!
Now ive completely lost interest in this match!!!
I remember Rafa vs Muller match last year that dragged on in Court 1, resulting in Djoko’s match having to be postponed to the next day and so Djoko got to play on two consecutive days. Rafa/Djoko may have to play on two consecutive days and the winner of that match to play for three consecutive days!
The whole day is ruined.
Wimbledon! They screw things up and so don’t deserve a good final on Sunday!
Even the commentators have lost interest.
Yeah, Nadline, i realised! This is not tennis now!!! Novak would never end up in a match like this, for sure!!!!! Lol!
More these guys play, more the other semi turns into a final.
How the hell is Anderson staying there emotionally. He had that draining match against the Fed
I blame Anderson for screwing things up when he has plenty of chances to end this match in four sets!
I’m falling asleep, it’s 1.48 am here!
Somebody Break and end this snooze fest already.
Ughhhhhhh…
the commies saying that the play will continue under the roof today and they have a hard stop at 11 pm London time
Who knows, Isner/Anderson may play till 11pm! Nobody can break serve! Even if they can, they may lose their serve next!
This isn’t tennis 🙁
More akin to being slowly tortured on the rack.
ed,
Very apt analogy! It is sheer torture! There is no reason not to have a fifth set TB. It would prevent this from happening. This is not tennis. It is a war of attrition. Just not good on any level.
No matter what, Rafa and Novak are being shafted. They deserve so much better.
It starts to rain and so the hope of playing at Court 1 squashed. If Isner/Anderson don’t end, the second SF can’t start and so may have to be postponed.
They will have to postpone the Men’s final to Monday to be fair to Rafa/Djoko.
I really admire the fight and the net play of John in this match, I just really wish he had found a few bigger serves at 4-4 in the fourth and possibly won in the fourth set tiebreak because he will likely have nothing left in the tank for a final
They can’t expect rafole to play the whole match tomorrow! What if that goes 5? They have to postpone the final!
Before this match Isner said he didn’t want to be remembered only as the Marathon man.
Ha ha
Ha bloody ha!! I can’t even watch this is so mindbogglingly
tedious!
The only reason people are watching is because they are waiting for rafole!
I’m perfectly ok if they postpone the final to Monday; just don’t want Rafa/Djoko to play on consecutive days, and the winner to play three consecutive days!
I hope the Wimbledon committee wise up after this and think of ways to solve this problem.
You’d think they would have learned their lesson in 2010. Instead of that, they presented Mahut and Isner with trophies and put a plaque on court 18. Maybe, Isner wants another Wimbledon trophy as marathon man.
Hehehe…What’s more..From the match time,the winner of this match will be dead tired by final…And so is the winner of RafaNole..They’re all even!!..Hahaha!!..Who’s come out on top from this 4 is truly a warrior!!…Hope our Rafa!!..Whooo!C’mon Rafa!!
I could see this coming! The whole world knew something like this could happen except for the stupid organizers. This is ridiculous! Rafa and Nole might as well go home and come back tomorrow! I begin to fear that if the rain interrupts this match and then with the time needed to extend the roof these two will recover a bit during that break to continue forever…this match may not even be over tonight.,, scary thought I know..,😬
Now I want them to go to 100:98. 😉
Hahaha, me too nadline! 😂😂
Let them play!!!