We are now down to the last four men at Wimbledon, with the world’s top three and a former semi-finalist competing for the trophy.
The top half men’s semi-final will see Novak Djokovic face off against Richard Gasquet, while Andy Murray and Roger Federer will meet at the All England Club in the bottom half semi-final.
Let’s now preview each of the two semi-finals.
Novak Djokovic (1) versus Richard Gasquet (21)
Head-to-head: Djokovic 11-1
Last meeting: Djokovic 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, fourth round, 2015 French Open
The first of the men’s semi-finals will see world number one Novak Djokovic continue his Wimbledon title defence against Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who has rediscovered his best form to get this far for the first time since 2007.
After having to come from two sets to love down to defeat Kevin Anderson on Tuesday, Djokovic returned to his best in the quarter-finals, never facing a break point as he defeated Marin Cilic for the 13th time in as many attempts.
This has thrust him into a sixth consecutive Wimbledon semi-final, where Gasquet, who also got this far in 2007 and has won two titles so far this year, awaits.
The Frenchman took some notable scalps en route to repeating his performance from eight years ago, defeating seeded players Grigor Dimitrov and Nick Kyrgios, as well as reigning French Open champion Stan Wawrinka, along the way.
The 29-year-old required five sets, with the deciding set lasting 20 games, to edge out Wawrinka; this came after he avenged his heartbreaking five-set loss to Kyrgios at the All England Club in the second round last year.
If he is to become the first male French Wimbledon finalist since Cedric Pioline in 1997, he will need to overcome a 1-11 record against Novak Djokovic overall; this also includes a straight-sets loss to the Serb at the French Open just last month.
Try as he may, but Djokovic will be too good as he looks to successfully defend his title, which would see him all but bury his French Open disappointment in which he was denied a first title there by Wawrinka in the final.
Prediction: Novak Djokovic in straight sets.
Andy Murray (3) versus Roger Federer (2)
Head-to-head: Federer 12-11
Last meeting: Federer 6-0, 6-1, round robin, 2014 ATP World Tour Finals
The other semi-final will see Murray and Federer not only renew their rivalry, which dates all the way back to 2005, but also renew hostilities at the All England Club for the first time since 2012.
It was during Wimbledon that year where Federer defeated Murray in four sets to win his seventh title there and 17th Grand Slam title overall. While it was Murray who claimed the Gold Medal at the 2012 London Olympics at the very same venue some four weeks later.
Both players entered this year’s Championships in very good form, with Federer winning four titles, including a record eighth title in Halle, and Murray returning to the top three with three titles, including a record-equalling fourth title at Queen’s.
Until the 10th game of the second set against Gilles Simon in the quarter-finals, Federer hadn’t dropped his serve. Not only throughout the tournament, but also not since his first match in Halle against German Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Thus, the Swiss Maestro has continued to prove time and time again that he is anything but a spent force in men’s tennis, even with his 34th birthday looming. However, he will need to be at his very best against Murray, who has also been in equally good form at the Championships this year.
After enduring four-setters against Andreas Seppi and Ivo Karlovic in the third and fourth rounds, respectively, the Scot dismissed Vasek Pospisil in straight sets to return to the semi-finals for the first time since winning the title in 2013.
The 28-year-old has also dominated most of his rivalry against Roger Federer, even though the Swiss leads 12-11 overall. It will be their 24th meeting overall, sixth at Grand Slam level, but only their third on grass.
It will also be their first meeting since Federer handed the Scot a humiliating 6-0, 6-1 loss at last year’s ATP World Tour Finals. But as mentioned before, Murray can take heart that he did beat Federer on Wimbledon’s Centre Court to win the Gold Medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
With both players having displayed good form not only so far at this year’s Championships but also for the year overall, it will be hard to tip a winner with any real confidence.
Prediction: Roger Federer in four sets.
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