For the 24th time, and third on grass at Wimbledon, Roger Federer and Andy Murray will battle in an ATP event in the semi-final at the All England Club.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary of the match from midnight AEST. This time – the last two times were in the final – they will be battling for a spot in the Wimbledon final.
The history between the two has been fierce, and competitive, since their first meeting in Bangkok in 2005. On that day Federer would win the match in the final.
In the early stages though, head to head, the Scot dominated. Murray won 6 of the first eight clashes between the two but lost the 2008 US Open final to the Fed Express.
It was Murray’s first ever Grand Slam final. After the first eight matches, Federer has dominated, winning 10 of the last 16 between the two.
At Grand Slam level they have played five times, tonight is the sixth meeting. Federer leads 4-1 with three of those wins coming in the final of a Grand Slam.
The only time Murray won was at the Australian Open in 2013 in the semi-final. One of those losses in the final came at Wimbledon in 2012.
Federer would win that encounter 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 for his last title at the All-England club. 5 weeks later, at the 2012 London Olympics, Murray would beat Federer on the same courts in the final to take gold.
Now they face for a third time on grass tonight.
Predicting what will happen in this match is hard to do. They are almost 50-50 in meetings – 12-11 to Federer – and both have similar records this year.
Murray stands at 46-6 with Federer at 39-6. In terms of titles this year, Federer has won four and Murray has won three They also have different games.
Federer likes to hit winners and move his opponent. Murray, on the other hand, likes to counter punch. He uses the power of the opposition to attack through the backhand and forehand.
He is also one of the best scramblers in the game. His aim is to make the opponent play another shot during a point.
We will see both players utilise those styles tonight. Who gets on top will be one of the fascinating battles of the night.
The serve is also vital. Federer, in his later years, has struggled at times under pressure on his serve. He showed that against Sam Groth, in the third round, when he served a double fault at a critical moment during the tiebreaker.
Murray will pounce on that if he gets the chance too. The Brit also has trouble at times on his second serve. That is the area he struggles most when he is put under pressure.
Federer will punish that if Murray doesn’t deliver on the second serve. This match is tough to call. It could genuinely go either way.
I predicted Murray at the start of the event and he will win if the crowd gets on his side. It wouldn’t surprise me though if Federer won. Expect this match to go to five sets.
Prediction – Murray 3-2
Daws
Guest
You beauty
jamesb
Guest
Well done Roger. Your a legend.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
MATCH STATS - Aces - Murray 12 Federer 20 Double Faults - Murray 1 Federer 1 1st serve in - Murray 79/107 (74%) Federer 69/91 (76%) 1st serve points won - Murray 56/79 Federer 58/69 2nd serve poins won - Murray 14/28 Federer 12/22 Break Points won - Murray 0/1 Federer 3/10 Winners - Murray 35 Federer 56 Unforced Errors - Murray 17 Federer 11
Albatross
Guest
Agreed. Murray didn't even play badly.. But FedEx annihilated him really. Cracking final coming up.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
That's the best I've seen Federer play in about 3 years. Scintillating tennis. Full report to come in the morning. Match stats will be in the next post.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
A forehand goes wide from Murray. Roger Federer is into his 10th Wimbledon final. It is a repeat of the 2014 final folks. Federer v Djokovic. FEDERER 7 7 6 MURRAY 5 5 4
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Federer punishes a second serve from Murray. He hits a backhand cross court return and Murray can't return it. Match Point.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Murray wins the next two points. He runs Federer around on the second point and beats him with a backhand shot. 30-30.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
What a shot. Murray hits a forehand volley, thinking it is going to be a winner. Federer hits it back, with a backhand, and it goes in. 0-30.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Trouble for Murray. Federer hits a return and rushes to the net. It puts off Murray and he hits it into the net. 0-15.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Murray was not happy at the change of ends. He punched his leg in anger. He knows his chances of winning from here are slim. This is a must hold.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Federer holds though, and wins the next two points. He is now one game away from his 10th Wimbledon final. FEDERER 7 7 5 MURRAY 5 5 4
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Brilliant lob from Murray. He hits one over Federer, who is at the net, and it is 30-15.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Murray holds with a deep forehand that isn't hit back by Federer. Four games all in the 3rd set. Pressure is coming to both players soon. FEDERER 7 7 4 MURRAY 5 5 4
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Murray has two game points, after serving an ace. He has 40-15. Federer saves the first with a forehand winner. 40-30.
dayakar
Guest
Congrts fedex you will back and the lion is back all the best
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Two errors from Federer gives Murray 30-0 in the next game.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Federer holds to love. Murray hits a return backhand wide, on the final point, to hand Federer the game. FEDERER 7 7 4 MURRAY 5 5 3
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Murray holds to 15. He lands 3 first serves, with the last three points of the game, to hold serve with ease. 3 games all. FEDERER 7 7 3 MURRAY 5 5 3
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Federer holds to love. He finishes the game with his 19th ace of the match. 3-2 to the Fed Express. FEDERER 7 7 3 MURRAY 5 5 2