In their 52nd meeting, Novak Djokovic will take on Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon semi-finals. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from around 1:30am (AEST).
It’s one of the most famous rivalries on the ATP tour, but this is almost a story of redemption for the Djoker.
He is a former world No.1, but has struggled for form over the last year and a half. Injuries and form have derailed his career and while he isn’t back at the top of his game, the world No.12 made the quarter-finals at the French Open and now finds himself in the semi-final at Wimbledon.
The key to this matchup as Djokovic takes on the current world No.1 will be in the baseline groundstrokes. Whoever can get further inside the baseline and strike the ball to the corners will take the win.
The problem is, both of these players are players who enjoy playing the defensive route, which generally doesn’t suit grass, no matter how good either of them have been on the surface previously.
The courts are playing right into Nadal’s hands this year as well. He didn’t drop a set across the first four rounds, with the warmer than usual weather allowing the ball to have more bounce on it and for Nadal to play from deeper in the court.
It was his saving grace when he took on the big-serving, all-powerful Argentinian Juan Martin Del Potro in the quarter-final, coming away with a five-set win in nearly five hours.
While the Spaniard made it out of that match in the end, the fatigue he will be feeling out of it is going to set him back against a player like Djokovic, who is happy to run all day.
You feel if Nadal is going to win, he has to do it quickly, especially coming off such a long and taxing clay court season.
Djokovic, on the otherr hand, has only dropped two sets across the entire tournament – to Kyle Edmund in the third round and Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals.
His serve is firing, and it’s making it hard for his opponents to get into matches.
Prediction
I’ll take Nadal, but with absolutely no confidence. The courts are playing into his hands and so I expect him to get the job done.
Nadal in four.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from around 12:30am (AEST) or at the completion of Kevin Anderson versus John Isner on the centre court and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Fionn
Guest
I agree he's not at full confidence, but I just thought he needed to back the strategy he knew he could use to beat Nadal. Big chance for Djok to win another Wimbledon, and a big chance for Anderson to break through and win a Grand Slam.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Incredible tennis.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Wow!
Scott Pryde
Expert
The match is going to resume at the beginning of the fourth set in about 15 minutes time. Be sure to follow the live scores feed above.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Fionn, maybe it's an illustration of what Gary Player supposedly said years ago after sinking a very long shot - "The harder I practice, the luckier I get." But seriously, I think that Djokovic is still finding his way back to full confidence and still needs the safety of crosscourt shots. As you suggest his strength has always been that ability to go down the line when least expected.
Fionn
Guest
Surprised Djokovic won that set. He was changing direction very effectively in the first 1.5 sets - moving Nadal forehand to backhand and keeping him off balance. In the last 1.5 sets he started going crosscourt too much, not changing direction and Nadal was given time to get balanaced and wack the ball. I think Djokovic was very lucky to win that set.
Scott Pryde
Expert
As much as I'd love to hang around, I'm going to have to bring coverage to a close after 8 hours of tennis. You can, however, still follow scores in the section above. Hopefully you have enjoyed it. Join Riley Pettigrew for the two finals weekend. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
END 1ST SET: Djokovic 1 - Nadal 0 Djokovic has taken the first set. Some really high-qiality serving. Djokovic... 6 - Nadal....... 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Three set points. Djokovic... 5 - 40 Nadal....... 4 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal with a forehand into the net now. Djokovic... 5 - 30 Nadal....... 4 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
The Djoker to serve for the set here. Rafael Nadal challenges an ace, and it was well out. The second is at the body and develops into a long point before Nadal sends a passing forehand wide. Djokovic... 5 - 15 Nadal....... 4 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
A fault from Nadal. The second is at the body and returned on a backhand, before Nadal holds serve with the Djoker returning long. Djokovic... 5 - Nadal....... 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Casual as you like. Overhead from Nadal. Djokovic... 5 - 0 Nadal....... 3 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
So then, Nadal serving under plenty of pressure. The first two stages go against him as well.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic cruising around at the baseline here. He is just directing the points and Nadal now puts a forehand into the net. Djokovic... 5 - Nadal....... 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic serves out wide this time, but Nadal reads it, returns, rushes the net and then puts an overhead through the middle of the court. Djokovic... 4 - 40 Nadal....... 3 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic grabs the first three points on serve. Djokovic... 4 - 40 Nadal....... 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
DJOKOVIC BREAKS! Nice return of serve, then Nadal puts a forehand into the net. Djokovic... 4 - Nadal....... 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Awesome tennis from Nadal. Just unloading on his groundstrokes there before Djokovic slides a backhand wide. Djokovic... 3 - 40 Nadal....... 3 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal with a wide serve. It's returned well and a long rally follows. Nadal up to the net, but he is backtracking with Djokovic making the passing shot. He wants to challenge on the fault call and it was in. Three break points! Djokovic... 3 - 40 Nadal....... 3 - 0