Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have gone by the wayside, leaving Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer as the two favorites heading into semifinal Friday at Wimbledon. Djokovic is going up against Grigor Dimitrov, while Federer is facing Milos Raonic.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (11) Grigor Dimitrov
Djokovic and Dimitrov will be facing each other for the fifth time in their careers when they collide in the Wimbledon semifinals on Friday afternoon. Dimitrov stunned Djokovic 7-6(6), 6-7(8), 6-3 on the clay courts of Madrid last spring, but their other three encounters have been mostly straightforward affairs in the Serb’s favor. Djokovic improved his head-to-head series lead with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 blowout at last year’s French Open.
Dimitrov contested his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at this season’s Australian Open and he is now making his debut semifinal appearance at a major. The in-form Bulgarian is 35-9 for his 2014 campaign following wins this fortnight over Ryan Harrison, Luke Saville, Alexandr Dolgopolov, Leonardo Mayer, and defending champion Andy Murray. Djokovic got past Andrey Golubev, Radek Stepanek, Gilles Simon, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga before needing five sets to beat Marin Cilic on Wednesday. The world No. 2 has not been dominant of late, but this should be a decent matchup for him. These two players are similar in their incredible athleticism and ability to turn defense into offense. The problem for Dimitrov is that Djokovic can do everything he can do while doing all of it better–and, of course, with more experience on the final weekend of majors.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
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(4) Roger Federer vs. (8) Milos Raonic
It all seems to be falling into place for Federer, who is looking like a completely different man from the Federer of last summer who lost in the second round of Wimbledon and the fourth round of the U.S. Open. Most importantly, he is simply playing stellar grass-court tennis. The 17-time Grand Slam champion captured the Halle title and so far at the All-England Club he has taken out Paolo Lorenzi, Gilles Muller, Santiago Giraldo, Tommy Robredo, and Stanislas Wawrinka. Now he is running into Raonic instead of nemesis Rafael Nadal, who bowed out to Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round.
Federer leads the head-to-head series 4-0, but in each of their first three meetings he dropped the opening set before winning the next two. They most recently squared off at the 2013 Australian Open, where Federer cruised 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2. Their only previous grass-court clash saw the former world No. 1 prevail 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3) in the 2012 Halle quarterfinals. Like Dimitrov, Raonic made it to his first-ever slam quarterfinal earlier this year (French Open) and is now into a semifinal for the first time. The eighth-seeded Canadian booked such a spot by defeating Matthew Ebden, Jack Sock, Lukasz Kubot, Kei Nishikori, and Kyrgios. This is a considerable step up in both competition and pressure, so it remains to be seen how the underdog will handle the occasion. Raonic’s only hope, of course, is to serve incredibly well and take the match out of Federer’s hands.
Pick: Federer in 4
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i would like to agree with the picks above, but I also believe that either or both could end up as upsets.
I would give both Raonic and Dimi a 40% chance to make it to the finals.
First break of serve is important for fed, hope he gets it early enough
Wimbledon is to Federer what Roland Garros is to Rafa. The stars have been aligned.
Raonic could take it to five sets but Roger will prevail.
Federer in 5
I think there is a greater chance for Dimitrov to pull off an upset. His ruthless demolition of an out of sorts Murray was an eye-opener. Djokovic has shown signs of chinks in his armour and has been severely rattled during several of his matches. He will raise his level for this match but If Dimitrov holds his nerve and can jump on the opportunities when they are presented he could get to his first Slam final.
Dimitrov in 5
I dont think Dimi can pull off an upset in 5..fat chance. If he has to do it, needs to be earlier within 3 or 4. Djokovic becomes stronger as match progresses.
If Fed wins a slam without having to beat Rafa, Novak or Andy..it will be the height of luck 🙂
Like Roland Garros in 2009!!!!!!!!!!!
His toughest opposition was del Potro in the SF – who took his revenge a few weeks later 🙂
You’re right of course. Djokovic goes for broke when his back is really against the wall.
For whatever reason I just have the sense he is not at his best right now but equally we don’t know how Dimitrov will cope with the extra pressure.
Hopefully both SFs will be good matches. To date most of the marquee matches have been pretty disappointing.
I will be very disappointed if Fed wins a slam without having to beat Rafa, Novak or Andy. Its not his fault, he will play whoever he has to, but that will mean height of lucking out. It cannot come and should not come that easy to anyone.
Rafa has not won a single slam where he had to beat neither of the 3 except RG 2010 but then no one beats him in RG anyway, so it does not matter.
RG 2009 was enough of luck for a momentous milestone of having the career grand slam. Cant luck out again for No 18.
But Rafa has never lucked out at RG ed. He is too good for everyone there
Fed at Wimby is not as dominant as Rafa is at RG, he does not beat anyone in front of him come what may. He has lost to Berdy, Tsonga, Sergy after 2003 in addition to Rafa
I think Dimitrov will take at least a set. Not sure he has what it takes yet to beat Novak in a best of five set match in his first Grand Slam semi-final though. I’d say Djokovic in 5 and then Federer in 4 for the second semi-final.
I hope Dimitrov doesn’t collapse like he did at RG last year after beating Djoker in Madrid. I just have a feeling that the title is Roger’s.
RT @NickKyrgios Unfortunately due to a hip issue & tiredness I am not playing in @TennisHalloFame in Newport but thanks for the WC offer guys & good luck!”
Probably scoured the entry list and saw there was no Nadal and decided to give it a miss. 🙂
#OnlyTurnUpForRafaCrowd
Dimitrov already showing signs of being spent………
already broken in set 2….
Dimi is totally flat today
nadline – You think Roger beats Novak for title? Novak will be devastated if he loses another final in a GS
He even shanks like Fed………..
Dimi is shanking way too much today
Match is boring, no intensity
“Paolo Lorenzi, Gilles Muller, Santiago Giraldo, Tommy Robredo, and Stanislas Wawrinka.”
pfft
#WeakEraReenactment
#Rigged
Nole doing enough to win against a nervy BabyFed.
Nole is tight himself. He’ll be even tighter vs Fed which was the case the last time they met at Winbly two years ago.
#BetweenTheEars
#DejaVuAllOverAgain
Yawn-fest……
The way this is going he’s going to be pretty fresh for the final
If this is the future of tennis, Lord help us………..
After Rafa tennis will go back to the dark ages, I’ll switch to Finish Wife-carrying
^^me and you 🙂
#18
If Dimi’s slice doesn’t chop Djoko up here, Fed’s will………….
well, well, well, Dimi breaks back in the 2nd, is he waking up?