It’s the men’s semi-finals tonight at Wimbledon, with the first being an intriguing, explosive and unexpected match-up between the attack of Juan Martin del Potro and the stoically brilliant defence of World No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Join The Roar for live scores and blog from 10.00pm AEST.
Wimbledon 2013 has been a bloodbath for the highly fancied seeds, tennis’ version of Game of Thrones were kings and queens of the court were cut down quicker than you could say ‘I hate Joffrey Baratheon’.
But through the carnage has emerged the world number 1 Djokovic (along with fellow big four member Andy Murray) to take his place in the Semis.
The Djoker is no such thing.
He is the current king and has been vanquishing his opponents with the ruthlessness of a potential champion.
Ominously Djokovic has yet to drop a set and has stated he is feeling more physically fit than ever before come this end of a Grand Slam.
So ordinarily with a lower seeded semi opponent and being in such superlative form one would be forgiven for already marking Djokovic down for a finals birth.
But not so fast.
His opponent, del Potro, is not only a former major winner himself (the 2009 US Open) he has already beaten the World No. 1 twice this year (at Indian Wells and in Davis Cup).
His big game and heavy hitting has tested Djokovic’s counter attacking style like few others.
Interestingly they have only played on grass once, which was at Wimbledon but in the 2012 Olympics. Del Potro won that contest so his confidence will be high going into this rematch.
Del Potro has often been considered a great one who has never fully lived up to his potential, a sort of present day Marat Safin.
Here he gets the opportunity to start living up to the hype by taking on the current king of the courts.
Prediction: Djokovic in four.
Alan
Roar Guru
Del Potro at his best easily top five player. I just hope that knee doesn't keep him out for a while. He is a little injury prone. If he can stay fit, more grand slams await, given that he is very adept at all surfaces. What an effort against the greatest counter puncher that I have seen play the game.
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
The old cliche goes that its sad to see a loser in a close contest, but cliches are rooted in reality and this is the type of match those cliches stem from. Juan Martin del Potro was MASSIVE throughout, but in the end the absolute counter punching brilliance of Novak Djokovic held the day. Thanks for reading and sharing such a wonderful tennis match. Novak moves to the final and del Potro signals his return to tennis at the elite level. perhaps soon we may have a big 5 if that sort of form keeps up. now if ya;ll excuse me i'm gonna take a bex mixed with scotch and have a lie down. Seriously, i got nothing left. Murray and Janowicz to come. Murray in straight sets for mine. phew, what a night.
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
INCREDIBLE! NOVAK WINS! 6-4 5-7 7-6 6-7 6-3 in just under 5 hours what a thoroughly engrossing and ridiculously enjoyable tennis match of the highest standard!
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
i have not idea how Novak made that shot. it was one of the most awkward volleys i have ever seen and it stops a break point. now its a MATCH POINT NOVAK!!
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
BREAK POINT JUAN! wow, this is awesome. another net cord by Novak and Juan chases it down.
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
great second serve by Novak. 30-30
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
Novak steadies. volleys home a winner and its 15-30
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
WOW! 2 backhand unforced errors by Novak and its 0-30 tight!!
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
and Juan wins the first point 0-15
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
big time now for Juan. do or die.
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
Novak BREAKS!!! leads 5-3 and will serve for a spot in the final.
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
and its a forehand error again by Novak that saves Juan. still BREAK POINT
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
Both players slip during the rally. both players recover to have a chance at winning the rally. Novak comes out ahead after a close exchange at the net. cool. now its 15-40 and Novak has 2 BREAK POINTS
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
15-15 Juan serving
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
game Novak 4-3 fifth set and sh#ts is gettin real!
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
40-15 Novak on serve.
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
15-15 what happens if this goes another hour and Murray and janowicz decide to have an epic party of their own. Wimbledon dont have no lights
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
mistake from Novak! had Juan at 6's and 7's but chose at the last second to hit a drop shot that meekly falls into the net and again he hits a forehand into the net and its game Juan. 3-3 fifth set
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
saved by Juan. deuce
Kurt Sorensen
Roar Guru
30-30 Juan got a miracle ball back a la Novak but now hits one long and its BREAK POINT Novak!!