Wimbledon favourite Roger Federer will be out to continue his run through the tournament when he takes on veteran Tomas Berdych in the semi-final. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 12am – midnight (AEST).
Federer came into Wimbledon as favourite after winning the Australian Open in January, a damaging US hard court season and then skipping the entire clay season.
The Fed Express resumed his season with a shock first round loss on grass to Tommy Haas at Stuttgart, but went on to claim a ninth tournament in Halle, finding his form before Wimbledon.
All of the time off was the best possible course of action for Federer and as a result, he is yet to be put under any pressure at Wimbledon, still not dropping a set to this stage of the tournament.
Alexandr Dolgopolov retired against him midway through the second set of their first round contest, and Federer easily overcame Dusan Lajovic in the second.
Since then, he has dominated a trio of seeded opponents as Mischa Zverev, Grigor Dimitrov and Milos Raonic all fell by the wayside. The quarter-final against Raonic was particularly impressive, with the big-serving Canadian unable to compete with the 18-time grand slam champion.
Berdych, on the other hand suffered a second round knock out at the French Open after a typically consistent start to 2017.
He then made the quarter-finals at Stuttgart and the AEGON Championships, before taking four sets to win each of his first two matches at Wimbledon against Jeremy Chardy and Ryan Harrison.
His third round victory over David Ferrer in straight sets was more dominant, before he took five sets to oversee Dominic Thiem.
He was well ahead against Novak Djokovic in the quarter-final as well before the former world No.1 was forced to retire with an elbow injury, allowing Berdych to go through to the semi-finals.
If Berdych is to win, he must get a strong start to the match and serve at a high percentage. It’s not something that will be foreign to him, but serving at 59 per cent against Djokovic simply won’t be good enough against Federer.
The pair have a long history on the ATP tour. They have played 24 matches dating back to the 2004 Athens Olympics, with Federer leading the ledger 18-6. Berdych’s last win in the rivalry was way back in 2013, with Federer winning the last seven matches.
Of those 24 matches, only three have been played on grass and Federer has won two – in saying that, Berdych beat Federer at Wimbledon in 2010, stopping Federer in his charge to a second straight Wimbledon.
The winner of this match will meet either Marin Cilic or American Sam Querrey in the final.
Prediction
Federer is in a class of his own and having not played more than three sets in a match so far after all that time off will be more than equiped to go the distance if needed.
Federer in four sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the second men’s semi-final from around 12am – midnight (AEST) or at the completion of Marin Cilic versus Sam Querrey and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, it's been a pleasure to bring you the Wimbledon men's semi-finals right here on The Roar as Marin Cilic and Roger Federer booked their spots in the finals. It is, however approaching 4am here on the east coast of Australia, so that'll be all she wrote for this evening. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. The women's final will be on at 11pm (AEST) this evening with Tim Miller to take you through the action. I'll be back at 11pm (AEST) on Sunday for the men's final. Before then, I'm covering the Gold Coast Titans and Cronulla Sharks in the NRL from 7:30pm (AEST). Bye for now
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, ROGER FEDERER Roger Federer is through to his 11th Wimbledon final. An incredible effort, and he was simply too good today. He dominated at every turn, and again on that last point as Berdych returned a serve into the net. It's been a dominant tournament for Federer and he is still yet to drop a set. He served well today, fought hard against serve and was simply the better player Federer will meet Marin Cilic on Sunday. The pair met in the quarter-finals of last year's tournament, when Federer had to come back from 2 sets to love down to take victory in five. Roger Federer 7 7 6 Tomas Berdych 6 6 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
A fault, and Berdych returns the second with plenty of depth to save the first match point. Federer sends his forehand long. Federer 7 7 5 - 40 Berdych 6 6 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve, short angled forehand to the opposite side of the court and Federer has 3 match points. Federer 7 7 5 - 40 Berdych 6 6 4 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Body serve and then a drop shot from Federer. Berdych comes racing up, but can't get the half volley over trying for his own deft touch. Federer 7 7 5 - 30 Berdych 6 6 4 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Federer serving for a spot in the final. He starts with a fault, then goes down the middle. Berdych attacks it, then races up to the net, but Federer stays cool, calm and collected, sending a forehand back past him. Federer 7 7 5 - 15 Berdych 6 6 4 - 0
Lord Dudley
Guest
When you see some of the winners the Fed hits - you can't help but let out an expletive. Is there anything else left to say about the Fed? He is gunna win this match and the final
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, Berdych will hold and make Federer serve for the match. A good serve directed in the general vicinity of Federer's body and he can't get a return away. Federer 7 7 5 - Berdych 6 6 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
You just have to sit back and admire this. Berdych with a serve and volley, but Federer has flicked a wonderful passing shot back past him. Incredible. Federer 7 7 5 - 30 Berdych 6 6 3 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Serve down the middle, but Federer has nailed the return back to the baseline with Berdych simply unable to do anythin about it, other than get the frame of the racquet somewhere near it. Federer 7 7 5 - 15 Berdych 6 6 3 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Berdych, but the second one is well directed at the body and Federer can't return. Federer 7 7 5 - 0 Berdych 6 6 3 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve, returned long on the backhand. Federer 7 7 5 - 0 Berdych 6 6 3 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Berdych. The second is down the middle and Federer launches into a backhand return before getting on top of the point, but then sending a forehand long. Federer 7 7 5 - 0 Berdych 6 6 3 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Oomph! Wide serve, then a forehand back across the court. Beautiful shot, all power and that just about caught the baseline. No chance for Berdych, who know must hold serve to stay in the match. Federer 7 7 5 - Berdych 6 6 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Too good from Federer. Another big serve down the middle and he comes to the net, playing three volleys before eventually cracking a struggling Berdych. Federer 7 7 4 - 40 Berdych 6 6 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Federer spins it down the T. Federer 7 7 4 - 30 Berdych 6 6 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Longer rally to start this Federer service game, but Berdych puts a forehand into the net. Federer 7 7 4 - 15 Berdych 6 6 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Federer breaks Another first serve fault, and the pressure builds. The second is deep in the service box before Federer replies with plenty of depth. Berdych tries to go back in behind, but sends it wide. Federer has the first break of the match, and is just two games from victory and a final spot. Federer 7 7 4 - Berdych 6 6 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Berdych again. Federer blocks the return, then goes up the line with a forehand before racing into the net and volleying for the winner. Break point! Federer 7 7 3 - 40 Berdych 6 6 3 - 30