2014 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Tennis Championship
#1 Novak Djokovic (-165) vs #4 Roger Federer (+140)
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club – Wimbledon, England
Playing Surface: Grass
Sunday, July 6, 2014, 9:00 am Eastern, TV: ESPN
As Roger Federer approaches the end of a legendary career, many people thought he simply didn’t have enough in the tank to win his 18th major title. After all he will be 33 next month, and his top competitors Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray are all still in their 20’s. Those four players have won 40 of the last 42 grand slam events dating back to 2004.
That streak will continue as the #4 seed Roger Federer takes on the #1 seed Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon Final Sunday.
Federer leads the series against Djokovic 18-16, including 2-1 in 2014. Federer beat Djokovic in the semifinals of both Dubai and Monte Carlo, while Djokovic beat Federer in the final at Indian Wells. They haven’t met in a grand slam since Federer beat him in the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2012 en route to his record 7th Wimbledon title. That was the only other previous meeting between the two at Wimbledon. They have only met one time in the final of a grand slam when Federer beat Djokovic in the 2007 U.S. Open Final. They have met numerous times in the semifinals of majors though.
Novak Djokovic is 27 from Serbia. He has six major titles, including a Wimbledon title in 2011. He lost to Andy Murray in the final here last year. Djokovic is 36-4 this season with titles at Rome, Miami, and Indian Wells. He lost in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open this year to eventual champion Stanislas Wawrinka. Djokovic had won the Australian Open 3 straight times before this year. It broke a string of 14 straight majors of at least making the semifinals for Djokovic. Djokovic lost in the Final of the French Open last month to Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic was the #1 seed at Wimbledon despite being #2 in the world behind Nadal. Djokovic beat Andrey Golubev in the first round, Radek Stepanek in four sets in the second round, Gilles Simon in the third round, #14 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the fourth round, #26 Marin Cilic in the quarters in five sets (despite being down 2 sets to 1), and #11 Grigor Dmitrov in 4 sets in the semifinals. It hasn’t been exactly smooth sailing for Djokovic as he has lost four sets and been taken to a tie-breaker six times.
Djokovic beat Dmitrov 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), and 7-6 (9-7) in the semifinals Friday. The match took 3 hours and 2 minutes. Djokovic had 17 aces and 2 double faults. Dmitrov had 15 and 8. Djokovic had 73% of his first serves in, and Dmitrov had 63%. Djokovic won 73% of the points on first serves and 56% on second serves. Dmitrov as 82% and 45% respectively. Djokovic was 57% (27/47) on net points and Dmitrov was 73% (35/48) at the net. Djokovic converted 3 of 6 break points and Dmitrov was 3 for 11. Djokovic had 45 winners and 26 unforced errors and Dmitrov had 48 and 33 respectively.
Federer, 32 from Switzerland, is in the twilight of a brilliant career that includes 17 major titles. He has 7 Wimbledon titles, the last in 2012. He was upset in the second round at Wimbledon last year. No man has ever won 8 Wimbledon titles. He lost in the semifinals at the Australian Open this year and the in the fourth round at the French Open. Federer is 34-7 this year with titles at Dubai and Halle. He also has three runner ups at Monte Carlo, Indian Wells and Brisbane.
Federer is the #4 seed at Wimbledon. Federer beat Paolo Lorenzi in the fist round, Gilles Muller in the second, Santiago Giraldo in the third round, #23 Tommy Robredo in the fourth round, #5 Wawrinka in the quarterfinals, and #8 Milos Raonic in the semifinals Friday. He lost the first set to Wawrinka and Muller lost one set 7-5, but otherwise no one has won more than 4 games in any set against Federer.
Federer beat Raonic 6-4, 6-4 and 6-4. The match took an hour and 41 minutes. Federer had 6 aces and a double fault. Raonic had 17 aces and 4 double faults. Federer had 65% of his first serves in, and Raonic had 55%. Federer won 81% of first serve points and 68% on second serves. Raonic was 80% and 50% respectively. Federer won 75% (24/32) of net points and Raonic was 52% (11/21). Federer converted 3 of 7 breakers and Raonic was 0 for 1. Federer had 32 winners and 11 unforced errors. Raonic had 36 and 17 respectively.
For the second straight year, Djokovic faces the sentimental favorite in the final at Wimbledon. Last, year it was Andy Murray trying to become the first British man to win Wimbledon since 1937. Now he gets Federer who is trying to win a record 8th Wimbledon title. Federer is still a dominant player on the grass, especially at Centre Court. I think Federer wins in 5 tough sets.
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