Wimbledon 2009. Gentlemen’s Semifinal Preview

Semifinal Preview:

The draw of 128 aspiring grand slam seekers, has been narrowed to a quality of four. The fortnight has featured many close encounters, and one late night roof affair. With only three men’s matches remaining during Wimbledon 2009, the whose who are ready to make their final attempts towards championship Sunday. There will certainly be a lot on the line for the respective four combatants come Friday, with nothing but their best required to persevere.

With that in mind, let us now take a look at the final four, and how their chances shape up at the worlds premier tennis tournament.

3rd seed Andy Murray vs. 6th seed Andy Roddick

Head to head record: Murray leads 6-2, with the Scot winning the pairs lone grass-court match during the 2006 Championships.

Andy’s in the house you say? Well, one thing is for certain, cries of Mmuuurrayyyy will resonate like verbatim throughout Center Court on Friday. There will be no confusion. First names are not on the docket.

Much like the destiny which was designed for Murray before the fortnight—an easy draw—all of Britain behind him—no pressure? The Scot has produced.

Putting aside the brief hiccup against Wawrinka in round four, Murray has been stellar. His poise and quality of shots have been perhaps the best in the tournament. But with the tail-end of the event on deck, and undoubtedly new territory for the 22-year-old to discover, will he finally fold, with or without the roof?

It says here that his opponent Andy Roddick, suits his game just fine. The brute power of the American, is not worrisome for Murray, pace is the Scots allies.

Murray’s variation of shot, coupled by his own ability to hold serve comfortably, will pose significant demise for the American.

If Roddick is to have a chance against Murray, it will reside in nothing sort of the performance he gave during the 2004 final against Federer.

Lean and mean—hitting from the hip—no regrets.

If there is one major cause of concern for Roddick, it is his recent chip forehand return. He must leave that shot back at the flat he is renting.

Murray will look to expose Roddick’s backhand wing with his own superb two-hander, both flat and slice. Roddick and clutch backhands, do not go hand-in-hand.

With that being said, Roddick has shown fight and resilience throughout the event. But will his drawn out affair with Hewitt, leave him stiff and a tad spent?

Murray believes that this is his year for a title campaign, plain and simple. At least a finals showing, bare minimum.

The prophecy looks to be in full flight.

When mechanics (Roddick) face off with sheer fluidity (Murray), often times, the effortless nature which the ball can be struck will win out.

Murray being a Swan, Roddick being a Turkey (you know what I mean).

All in all, Roddick always shows up with his boats tightly woven, and ready to give his all.

The problem being, what he’s got, is just not good enough in this day and age to defeat the very best on the planet.

Look for at least one more match for Mount Murray to behold. It’s been quite sometime for the Brits, and a home-country final.

Pick: Murray in four sets

2nd seed Roger Federer vs. 24th seed Tommy Haas

Head to head record: Federer leads 9-2 overall, as well as 2-0 when matches were played on grass.

With history on the line once again, racket wizard Roger Federer heads into his endless array of grand slam semifinals, against a familiar but unexpected foe.

German Tommy Haas was suppose to have captured a few slams by now. Living in the shadow of Boris Becker was never easy, and it took Haas quite a while to adjust to his predecessors accolades.

Unfortunately for Tommy, a gamut of injuries and personal issues led the once touted superstar into a spiral of condensed and fine moments. Winning was not easy. Winning big titles was almost impossible.

But as time elapsed, the German rested on the foundation of optimism: good things come to those who wait. Moreover, great things happen to those who persevere.

During a time when most of his colleagues were either gone from the game, or could not compete at the tender age of 31-year, Haas has found solace and refuge in his innate abilities. This guy has always been good.

The German is seemingly not standing in his own way for once, the stars have aligned during this fortnight, with Haas reaching the final four.

Will his one-handed backhand be enough to out shine the glorious repertoire of Federer’s immaculate game?

It will be tough, no question.

Although Haas has risen to top ten status is terms of current ability, he is up against a man who camouflages himself into the grass, each and every year the Championships takes place. Playing a brand of synchronized tennis like no other.

Federer is at home on the lawns, and only the Nadal-like effort of 2008 was able to foil his recent success at Sw19.

In terms of an actual shot for shot analysis, both players possess similar game-styles. Federer owns the forehand credentials, with Haas having more of a point-ending backhand. Federer can hit dimes with his serve; Haas can out-gun the Swiss. Roger glides around the court; Tommy pounds the turf but makes his court positioning count.

All in all, Federer’s game is more tailored to the grass, because of the x-factor of winning so many darn titles.

Haas by every essence is a newby to the ring of winning. A sensation which he can see, but has never actually felt.

Haas is riding the wave of a spectacular month, and should be good for a set or two. Roger has showed in recent times, that the Federer of old in back in the saddle—hopes for Tommy become slim to none.

If doubt and confusion creep into Hass’ mind, he will quickly revert back to his old ways. If he stays cool and collective, his confidence of shot will allow for opportunities; Federer will inevitably raise his level.

Bottom line, Fed’s match to win or lose.

Tommy will be proud, with Federer reaching his seventh straight Wimbledon final. Yes, yet another record folks.

Pick: Federer in four sets

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