RICKY’S PREVIEW AND PICK FOR THE WIMBLEDON FINAL: DJOKOVIC VS. FEDERER

Written by: Staff on 11th July 2015

RICKY'S PREVIEW AND PICK FOR THE WIMBLEDON FINAL: DJOKOVIC VS. FEDERER

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns to Andy Murray of Britain in their semi final match during the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 10 July 2015. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA |

Ricky’s preview and pick for the Wimbledon final: Djokovic vs. Federer

By Ricky Dimon

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer will be squaring off for the 40th time in their careers when they battle for the Wimbledon title on Sunday afternoon.

Djokovic is leading the head-to-head series 20-19 after taking their two most recent encounters in Indian Wells (6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2) and Rome (6-4, 6-3). Federer had previously prevailed 6-3, 7-5 in Dubai. This is their fourth consecutive meeting this season in a final.

The two rivals have faced each other twice on grass, both times at Wimbledon. Federer got the job done 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the 2012 semifinals before Djokovic triumphed in last year’s title match following a 6-7(7), 6-4, 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-4 thriller.

Fast forward 12 months and Federer may be playing better tennis than anyone despite registering behind Djokovic at No. 2 in the rankings. The 33-year-old Swiss captured the Halle title and so far this fortnight he has dropped only one set while defeating Damir Dzumhur, Sam Querrey, Sam Groth (in four), Roberto Bautista Agut, Gilles Simon, and Andy Murray. Federer has been broken only once (by Simon).

“I’ve been serving very well for the entire tournament,” the seven-time champion assured after getting the best of Murray 7-5, 7-5, 6-4. “I wasn’t broken against one of the best returners. I kept the pressure up and went for my shots. I mixed it up like I usually do and kept pushing forward and staying focused. It all worked out really well.”

Things have not worked perfectly for Djokovic this time around at the All-England Club, but his title defense is still alive. The Serb recovered from a two-set deficit against Kevin Anderson before getting back to his straight-set ways against Marin Cilic and Richard Gasquet. Djokovic’s opening week included routine victories over Philipp Kohlschreiber, Jarkko Nieminen, and Bernard Tomic.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Richard Gasquet of France during their semi final match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 10 uly 2015. EPA/ANDY RAIN

Something will have to give in this one, because Djokovic is arguably the best returner in the game while Federer is serving better than everyone. The No. 2 seed had held 116 consecutive service games before Simon solved the unsolvable puzzle.

“This is where he loves to play,” Djokovic said of Federer. “This is where he plays his best tennis. The Centre Court of Wimbledon…seven titles. It’s his court. He loves it. He usually rises up to the occasion. He’s always playing his toughest when it matters the most. That’s why he’s a big champion.”

And it’s why Federer is likely to become an 18-time major champion.

Pick: Federer in 4

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: All England Tennis Club, Atp World Tour, London, Novak Djokovic, Ricky Dimon, Roger Federer, Tennis News, Wimbledon Championships, Wimbledon final

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10sBalls_com says:

July 11, 2015 at 2:25 pm

RICKY’S PREVIEW AND PICK FOR THE #WimbledonFinal: @DjokerNole VS. @rogerfederer- http://t.co/K1yamh5hxw @Dimonator #FedererVsDjokovic #ATP