Roger Federer has assured his fans that his back twinge, which saw him well below his best in his fourth round match against Belgium player Xavier Malisse, will not hamper him from progressing further in pursuit of a seventh crown at the All England Club.
His fans must have been having heart palpitations on Tuesday, that a 2011 déjà vu was about to happen when after winning the first two sets, and seemingly in control, Federer lost the third and went behind a break in the fourth.
Federer let a two to love set lead slip and lost in five in the 2011 quarterfinals to Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. That fact may have been playing on his mind as he dug deep and stopped the match going to a decider against the 2002 semi-finalist, Malisse. Federer took the match 7-6, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the draw, Andy Murray’s next opponent may be the biggest hurdle of the dream final of Federer and Murray coming to fruition.
The big hitting and serving Croat Marin Cilic moves ridiculously well for such a big man and has the variety in his game to worry Murray. Cilic’s movement and smoothness is very reminiscent of the Czech Miloslav Mecir, who was nicknamed the Big Cat.
While the focus of the first week has been on the early exit of Nadal and of course local favourite Murray, world number one and top seed Novak Djokovic has been going about his business quite ruthlessly and without much fanfare.
The seedings have Federer and Djokovic set to meet in the semi-final of the top half of the draw.
This pairing has been the glitch of Federer while he has been at number three in the world, clashing in semi-finals against the Serb. The Swiss champion has lost the last two US Open semi-finals after having match points in both.
It would be a dream final should it be Murray and Federer, but the world number one and the fickle, cold English summer weather just might spoil that.
Jocelyn McLennan
Roar Guru
The jury is really still out on Steve. He will need to do what Kieran Perkins did in Atlanta. It can be done.Loss of form can be overcome very quickly but loss of confidence is an entirely different matter. Just ask Ian Baker-Finch. He quit altogether because of the yips. Even Hooker being fit and healthy would have struggled to beat Lavilline...he is in RED hot form...I hope I am wrong...Hooker has pulled miracles out of the bag before to win..hoping he can again.
benson
Guest
Enjoying your stuff about Wimbledon, Jocelyn, and also about athletics. Good the see The Roar has got an track and field expert on board in time for the Olympics. What's your take on the Steve Hooker situation?
ak
Guest
Federer vs Djokovic semifinal is going to be more interesting. Infact the winner of this contest will win the final coz Murray will not find a way to beat any of these two especially in a grand slam final.
Brendon
Guest
Being a good defensive player didnt help Hewitt against Federer after Federer hit his peak. You'd think Murray would have learnt from that. Or that once Nadal developed his game from just being a clay court baseline slogger he started to dominate Federer. But its easy to say that Murray should do X after years of doing the things the way he is currently. Change is threatening and scary to everyone, including rich tennis players.
Kev
Guest
Murray needs to be more aggressive and prepared to take calculated risks otherwise he can add a 4th grand slam final to the list of grand slam finals in which has failed to win a set against his opponent. I don't doubt that he is a talented player with a great defensive game but against Federer or Djokovic that's not enough. Those two players are far too good to just roll over and gift you the win.
Johnno
Guest
agrree Jocelyn and a good article and a beautiful women too i might compliment you Jocelyn. I think Tsonga is still a blotter he reminds me of Scud Phillipoousous on his day he can beat anyone Tsonga. Same with Safin. Scud and Safin blasted out Sampras 1once each at grand slams before in Saifn's case twice and he beat Federer too. Tsonga blitz Nadal at oz open 1 year too and gave Novak some nervous moments too when they play each other .
Jocelyn McLennan
Roar Guru
Agree Johnno. Thanks to Nadal making the path easier for Murray he must now seize the opportunity. I honestly thought Cilic would trouble him so Murray is buidling some solid momentum. Federer will have to bring something special out of the bag like his form form around 2006 to get past Djokovich. He will need to serve msuch better and get to net. One of the worries with Murray now is that he may suffer a wee bit of the Sam Stosure problem. That is if he meets someeone in the final ranked lower than him or he knows he should beat it may come undone. He needs to be the underdog with the crowd behind him to be at his best.
Sledgeandhammer
Guest
For Federer it will all come down to his serve. In Paris he and Djockovic broke each other's serve at will, Federer was even 2 breaks up from memory. He will need to hold his serve to win. Joker is the favourite, but would love to see Fed win and join Murray or Ferrer in the final.
k77sujith
Guest
Good anticipation indeed. Yes, this is Murray's best chance to win his first Slam finally with Nadal not in the mix. It's hard to pick a winner if Federer and Djokovic clash in the semis. Having said that, Murray has a huge test in the quarters against David Ferrer who has all the tricks to spoil the party. Let's just hope for exciting Tennis! Thanks Jocelyn.
Kevin
Guest
Djokovic versus Murray would be a much better final.
Johnno
Guest
It is now or never for Andy Murray this is his wimbledon to seize the moment. No Nadal. Novakis still in as is fed and Tsonga is a blotter who can beat anyone on his day. But this is Andy Murray's time and he may never as a Scot and a british player get a better chance than this 2012 wimbledon. He doesn't im sure want to go down in history as another Tim Henman high hopes and always falling at the crunch under a weight of national expectiation and overwhelming at times media tabloid pressure especially. Tim henman in 2001 had Goran on the ropes int he 2001 seem finals and was well in control of the match and almost there then a rain delay stuffed his moo up , na dhe never got the chance to play our Pat in the final. So we will not know who would of won that hypothetical final but wow Rafter was playing great tennis that year, he has Sampras not he ropes in 2000 but a rain delay helped pistol Pete Re-group and he beat rafter . Then in 2002 our aussie our Lleyton won beating Nalbandian. And Cashy our cash won in 87 vs Lendl. So it is now or never for Andy Murray he must seize this moment, his best opportunity he may ever get.