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This is my tennis blog, Lefty Advantage. Tennis is my biggest passion in life and I started this site to discuss the great game. I mainly follow the career of Roger Federer, but I truly love watching all tennis, whether it be the final of a Grand Slam
or a junior tournament on the other side of the world.

I have played tennis for 13 years. If you ever met me, I could talk your head off about all things tennis for hours on end if you would let me. Welcome, and enjoy the writing!

Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Sharp Federer Routs Youzhny

For the first time since 2009, Roger Federer is back in a Wimbledon semifinal.  The Swiss Master eased by Mikhail Youzhny 61 62 62 in just over 90 minutes, and made his 32nd Grand Slam semifinal - breaking Jimmy Connors' record of 31.


The big question before the match was whether or not Roger's back would hold up after the testy 4th round difficulties he had.  It looks like The Fed knows his body very well, as he looked very healthy and was moving around the court in his usual gazelle-like fashion, taking the opening set in 28 minutes.

Roger broke in his opening return game after being down 40-0, and that break set the tone for the entire match.  In fact, Roger broke Youzhny in the Russian's first service game of each set - a good sign of not wanting to spend too much time on the court.  There was a quick rain delay at 4-1 30-40 on Youzhny's serve, and after the 20 minute break, Roger won the point after tracking down two balls, the second of which he sent flying cross court for a clean pass.

The second set was more of the same as he cruised once again in 28 minutes.  Youzhny showed some fire and determination that got him inside the top 10 a few years ago, but it was nowhere near enough, especially with tired legs after the long 5-setter against Istomin in the 4th round.  The third set showcased the brilliance of Fed even more as he hits incredible shots and amazed the crowd with his stunning play - perhaps more stunning because of the struggles Roger had in getting through Benneteau and Malisse.  All in all, it was a swift, convincing effort by the 286-week #1.

It was the perfect match to prepare for a titanic semifinal clash with Novak Djokovic.  After the 4th round win, Federer fans and general tennis fans alike were worried about the state of his back, which he injured midway through the first set.  It looked like we need not worry at all, as the back was very good and Roger was able to free up and play his sensational best.  He will need to be in the same kind of form if he wants to beat Djokovic and get the chance to win his 7th Wimbledon, 17th Grand Slam, and reclaim the #1 ranking.

Speaking of that Federer/Djokovic semifinal....

How can Federer win?

Roger has lost six of his past seven matches to Djokovic since the start of 2011, but many of those matches were close (the French Open and US Open 2011 semis).  The two have never met on grass, and this will be their 27th meeting 27 matches in 7 years.  Though none of us really know what the match-up will be like on grass, let me give some thoughts on why I think Fed can overcome Djokovic and make the final:

1) Serve

Fed's best surface for his serve is grass.  On hardcourt and clay, even his best serves can be returned, but on grass, it is harder to return.  Roger has served incredibly well all tournament long, and if he can win the majority of his first serve points, as well as get a large percentage of his first serves in play, that should give him an advantage.  If there is one surface where Roger can win many free points off his serve against the best returner in the game today (and perhaps all-time), it is grass.

2) Variety

Roger's variety is second to none in men's tennis - nobody has ever had more ways to beat you than Fed.  If he is to succeed, he will need to mix things up on his serve, and also vary the pace, spin, and angles of his attacks.  The slice will also be key - Djokovic's footwork can be suspect at times and if Roger can make him feel uncomfortable at the baseline by cutting slices and touching drop shots, it could pay huge dividends.

3) Motivation

At the French Open last month, it was obvious that Roger's heart was not in it.  It was likely a combination of playing poorly throughout the tournament and knowing that he would need to go through both Djokovic and Nadal if he were to win.  By doing so, he could spend all his energy up and he would not be at 100% for Wimbledon.

Now, there is no Rafael Nadal waiting in the final - there is only Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.  Fed knows he can beat both of them when his game is clicking.  Do not underestimate the power of the subconscious, and with the knowledge that Djokovic will likely be his toughest opponent, it could fire him up even more.

The Fed has also said that he wants this Wimbledon very badly.  As we all know, a confident and motivated Roger Federer is a dangerous Roger Federer.  He is match tough within this tournament with those great 3rd and 4th round wins, but he has also had 3 masterclasses against Ramos, Fognini, and Youzhny.  That balance of sharp play and mental toughness could will him to his very best. 

It should be an incredible match and I know that Roger is going to put everything on the line.  I sense that we could see a performance from Roger like the US Open 2008 semi or last year's epic French Open semi.  Of course Novak will have his say in the match, but I can only hope that Roger pulls through and makes his 8th Wimbledon final; it would be a dream come true, and if destiny exists, this is the time to prove it.

#Allez17 #H17TORY #5down2togo

PS:  Roger has never lost a set in a Wimbledon semifinal, going 21-0 in 7 semis.  I don't know about you, but that is absolutely incredible.  It is a sign that Roger plays his very best near the end of Wimbledon, and if that same pattern holds up on Friday, Fed will have a very good chance to beat Djokovic.  At any other Slam, I think Djokovic would win, but not this one.  Not with everything that Roger has at stake.  I say The Fed in 4 wonderful sets.

3 comments:

  1. Nguyenimproved147/05/2012 12:13 am

    I can only agree Fed's destiny is going to be tied into his serving performance vs Nole.

    As for your other points:

    Variety is only a "weapon" if you employ it. Though Fed has remarkable volleying ability he so often chooses to stay planted on the baseline and slug it out with the djoker (who is not lacking in variety either). Djoker's greater consistency and less erratic backhand give him a big edge here.

    Motivation is not a factor. If it was Fed would've beaten Nadal on clay already and would've held the no.1 for 286 weeks not 285.
     

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  2.  Fed has said he wants to be more aggressive this tournament as opposed to the last two Wimbledons he has played, so I can only think that will urge him to use more variety.  Besides, grass lends his game to that variety more than hardcourts where it is harder to attack Nole.

    Motivation is certainly a big factor and anyone can see that.  You don't openly state you want a title very badly if it is not.  Fed knows that this may be the best chance he ever has to win another Slam (the surface, Rafa gone, etc). 

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  3. Great prediction!

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