Just about everyone expected this match to be Djokovic vs Roger Federer, but Tsonga had other plans. Featuring a more mature game with a very powerful serve, Tsonga has put the tennis world on notice that he has arrived. Tsonga is the upstart of this year's Wimbledon, but after taking Roger Federer to five grueling sets, does he have enough endurance and strength to take on one of the most athletic and best-conditioned athletes in tennis?
In Tsonga's favor is his career record (5-2) against Djokovic. All of those matches have been played on hard court surfaces. However, 2011 has been the Year of Novak, and his relatively easy procession through Wimbledon has been evidence of that. If he does defeat Tsonga, he will be the first player not named Roger or Rafa to be ranked World #1 since 2004. Can he handle the pressure?
My Prediction: Djokovic in 4 sets
Andy Murray vs. Rafael Nadal
Murray is clearly the crowd favorite as he seeks to win his first Grand Slam tournament (and the first for a British national in 75 years). Nadal has won two of the past three Wimbledon tournaments (the one he didn't win, he was absent due to injury), and is coming off a French Open win.
Murray has begun to show more aggressiveness with his serving and shot selection in recent matches, and he will need that against a hard-charging, quick athlete in Nadal. One of Murray's main problems in beating the top tennis players is that he tends to be too passive and reactive when he should try and take control of individual points.
The injury to Nadal's foot didn't seem to bother him in the quarterfinals, but he will be expected to take another local pain injection prior to the match. If Murray wins the first set and takes Nadal to five sets, I think he has a chance. However, I fully expect the Spaniard to exhibit the kind of mental and physical toughness he is renowned for and show his true champion's heart.
My Prediction: Nadal in 5 sets
Photo by Clive Brunskill, Getty Images Europe
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