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Can Grigor Dimitrov make his first Grand Slam final? Or will Novak Djokovic make his third Wimbledon final in four years? Join The Roar for live scores and commentary of Djokovic and Dimitrov in the semi-finals at Wimbledon from 10:00pm (AEST).
Tonight could be a big night for Grigor Dimitrov. In his first ever semi-final at a Grand Slam event, the Bulgarian has a chance to make his first ever Grand Slam final.
Not only would it be his first, but it would be the first time a Bulgarian has made a grand slam singles final in the men’s draw.
He would also be the first junior Wimbledon champion to make the senior final since Roger Federer won both titles.
Dimitrov has been one of the best players on the ATP this year. His record – which is now 35 wins and 9 losses – is the third best this year and is tied with Tomas Berdych and his opponent tonight.
He has also won three titles in 2014 at Queen’s, Bucharest and Acapulco. This makes him the only player this year to win titles on grass, clay and on a hard court.
He is undefeated on grass this year and has a record of 10 wins and 0 losses. He joins Djokovic (5-0) and Federer (9-0) as the only three players who are undefeated on the surface in 2014.
That will change with either Djokovic or Dimitrov being beaten today.
The big difference in Dimitrov’s game over the last 12 months has been his consistency. The Bulgarian no longer turns up for one match, plays well, and then plays poor in the next match. He is stringing matches, and weeks, together and the results are coming fast for Dimitrov.
Regardless of the result today the 23 year old will be in the top ten next week. A Wimbledon trophy would see Dimitrov in the top five in the world.
It is an incredible achievement given that only 12 months ago the Bulgarian had not won an ATP world tour title and was still outside of the top 30.
Much of his success has been down to an Australian. His coach, Roger Rasheed, has turned his game around. With a focus on fitness, hard work, and discipline, Rasheed has made Dimitrov a tough proposition on the tour.
This is the challenge facing Djokovic who also has plenty to gain if he wins Wimbledon this year.
With the loss by Rafael Nadal in the quarter finals, Djokovic can claim the world number 1 ranking, if he wins the event. It will also break a recent drought of losses by the Serbian at Grand Slam level.
In his last five Grand Slams, Djokovic has lost three finals, and been eliminated in the quarter final (Australian Open 2014) and semi-final (French Open 2013) of the others. It is a little rut the world number 2 will want to get out of.
Tonight promises to provide a classic match and one that could certainly go to five sets.
They have faced each other four times with Djokovic leading 3-1. Djokovic leads 2-0 on hard courts, with the ledger at 1-1 on clay. Dimitrov’s only win came in Madrid last year when he defeated Djokovic in three sets.
The two keys to the match are who will serve better, and who will win the baseline rallies. Both players are good in those areas. Whoever gets on top will be the one most likely to win the contest.
With both players great on the serve expect tiebreakers in the match. Dimitrov has had tiebreakers in four out of his five matches at Wimbledon. Djokovic has had tiebreakers in three out of his five matches.
It will be a close match and both players will win sets today. Dimitrov can certainly beat Djokovic and is a big chance of causing the upset. My only concern is his experience at this level.
He hasn’t played in a semi-final and it will be interesting to see how he goes if he gets into a position of winning. Will he take it in his stride, or will the occasion get to him as he gets close to a boyhood dream?
The experience of Djokovic will be huge in this match and that will drag him over the line.
Novak Djokovic to win in five.
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