Bernard Tomic continues his Wimbledon campaign tonight to play the top seed, the world number one and the toughest challenger in tennis; Novak Djokovic. Centre Court will host a cracking round three encounter between the Serb and the Aussie at midnight and be sure to join The Roar for all the action with live scores and commentary.
The last time these two players met at Wimbledon was in the quarter finals in 2011, where Tomic pushed Djokovic to four sets before the world number one progressed to win the title. Since then Djokovic has remained a constant and relentless force in men’s tennis while Bernard has struggled for both fitness and consistency.
However, tonight is a new match and a new challenge for the world number one. Tomic struggled through his opening match of the tournament in a grinding five set victory that was hardly convincing or impressive. Yet despite this, his second round performance against Herbert showed both class and composure in a straight sets performance demonstrating his charisma and diversity as a player.
Through the first two rounds Novak Djokovic has barely raised a sweat. His opening round victory was a cruise and likewise was his performance against the outgoing Jarkko Nieminen who defeated Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt.
This is the biggest challenge in tennis for any player yet if Bernard can do the following factors; he may be a chance to push the world number one.
Tactics for Tomic
Djokovic plays a very solid baseline game. His depth of shot is exquisite and likewise is his placement. Consequently baseline rallies will be difficult for the Aussie to win and hence he must try and shorten the points as much as he can. Tomic’s game is to use variety and to play slightly unorthodoxly, however Djokovic will dominate him if he engages in long and physically demanding rallies.
The first serve percentage for Tomic is critical for his success in this match. Bernard uses great variety on the first serve, with an ability to hit flat down the ‘T’ and slide the ball away from his opponent on the deuce court. Variety in his serve will therefore be crucial to holding his service games.
In terms of groundstrokes, the Australian possesses a very good backhand return when he steps into the ball from the return. He can generate rapid power from a short backswing and from using the pace of the serve. Therefore Tomic needs to be aggressive on the second serve, particularly using his backhand to generate pace and landing the first solid strike in points.
Finally, Tomic’s backhand slice is another shot that will be essential for him in this match. Bernard can play a very good slice with depth and precision, which can change the pace of the rally and gather him time to regroup during the point. This shot against Novak could be particularly important to Djokovic’s forehand which can be erratic and insecure when exposed to large changes of pace.
Prediction:
This will be an extremely tough match for the Aussie, yet there’s a strong chance he can at least put up a great fight against the world number one.
Let’s hope he can take some comfort from Kyrgios last year, who beat Rafa when he was the top seed.
I think Novak will win in three, but they should be tight sets if Tomic brings his game. Join us onThe Roar for live scores from midnight (AEST).
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game, Set and Match Novak Djokovic. DJOKOVIC 6 6 6 TOMIC 3 3 3 A classy performance by the world number one. He cruised over the Aussie today in a match that really struggled to live up to any expectations one might of had. Tomic wasn't too bad today. He lost concentration at some pivotal times and that cost him dearly. There were only one break in each of the three sets so Bernie shouldn't be too disappointed. The champ goes on at the Championships at Wimbledon, while Tomic will now turn his attention to the Davis Cup. Novak Djokovic too strong on centre court today against Bernard Tomic. Winning 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Three match points.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Tomic. Well done Bernie. He'll make the champ serve it out as he holds. DJOKOVIC 6 6 5 TOMIC 3 3 3
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Djokovic. Not long to go now. Ace #14 giving Djokovic a 5-2 lead. Great work from Novak tonight but let's hope Bernie can finish off well here and make him serve it out. DJOKOVIC 6 6 5 TOMIC 3 3 2
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Djokovic. Relentless. The pressure Novak has consistently put Bernard under tonight is unbelievable. His depth of shot and his accuracy with both his forehand and his serve has completely dominated Tomic. Bernard hasn't been bad tonight, Novak just too good. DJOKOVIC 6 6 4 TOMIC 3 3 2
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Djokovic. High quality serving from Novak. One of many features in his performance today. Serves down the T so well on the Ad Court and can dominate the points with his wide serve on the deuce court, following this up for powerful forehands. Pleasure to watch. DJOKOVIC 6 6 3 TOMIC 3 3 2
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Tomic. That was courageous from Tomic. Djokovic ceasing blood was just about to put this game to rest with three break point opportunities. Bernie saved all three and keeps alive. Djokovic in super touch today but that was a bit of guts from Tomic. Good to see that type of fight. DJOKOVIC 6 6 2 TOMIC 3 3 2
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Djokovic. Well that he was just teasing the Aussie then! Tomic gets another 0-30 start before Novak rolls off the next four points in ease. The top seed has an unbelievable ability to serve big on the big points. Continues to frustrate Tomic here. Novak playing like the champion he is. DJOKOVIC 6 6 2 TOMIC 3 3 1
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Tomic. Gutsy hold from Bernard! Steps up at deuce with a cracking forehand winner. Djokovic applied the pressure that game but Bernie withstood it. Time for Tomic to make the running otherwise he will be packing for Darwin quickly! DJOKOVIC 6 6 1 TOMIC 3 3 1
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Djokovic. A long hold to the Serb. DJOKOVIC 6 6 1 TOMIC 3 3 0
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Djokovic. Relentless and Ridiculously good. Fantastic pressure from Novak and Bernie looks burnt. Djokovic starting to fire and this is an ominous sign for the rest of the competition. Djokovic goes up two sets! DJOKOVIC 6 6 TOMIC 3 3
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Djokovic. The top seed survives 0-30 and some pressure from Bernard. A big struggle now for Tomic. You don't get many chances against Novak and that was one wasted. DJOKOVIC 6 5 TOMIC 3 3
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Djokovic. Too good from the world number one. At 30-30 he took Tomic apart through a majestic backhand down the line before grinding out another fantastic point on break point to give himself the decisive break of serve. Tomic didn't do a lot wrong, Novak is just playing too well! Ominous signs. DJOKOVIC 6 4 TOMIC 3 3
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Djokovic. Too good from the Serb. Just quality serving. DJOKOVIC 6 3 TOMIC 3 3
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Tomic Good hold from Tomic as he just keeps in front here in the second set. Looking at the match stats so far and we can see that Bernie has won just seven points while receiving. Important Bernie can start to find his feet in Djokovic's service games. Otherwise, the Aussie could be two sets to love down very quickly. DJOKOVIC 6 2 TOMIC 3 3
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Djokovic. Very good defensive skills from Djokovic as Tomic is struggling to test Novak. The serb is in cruise control but Tomic is trying to look to be aggressive. Good contest in this second set. DJOKOVIC 6 2 TOMIC 3 2
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Tomic. Good work from the Aussie. Liking the way he is beginning to use his forehand to drag Novak out wide testing his defensive game. However Novak is just terrific at turning offence into defence. There are not many weaknesses in the Djokovic game! DJOKOVIC 6 1 TOMIC 3 2
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Djokovic. Solid hold. Another example of Djokovic using his forehand to spread Tomic wide into the court, opening up the point and allowing Djokovic to dictate the rallies. Tomic needs to show some initiative here and change the momentum. Easier said then done. DJOKOVIC 6 1 TOMIC 3 1
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Tomic. Important hold for Bernard. Serving first in this set is definitely an advantage for the Aussie. Good to see his variety within the serve. Would like to see him change the pace a little more during the points. Novak controlling the majority of the rallies. DJOKOVIC 6 0 TOMIC 3 1
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game and First Set - Djokovic. Convincing from the world number one. He takes the set in 23 minutes and looks to be cruising. Tomic didn't do a lot wrong in that set except for one service game. That's all it took for Novak to make him pay. First blood to the Serb. DJOKOVIC 6 TOMIC 3