Everyone expects another Roger v Rafa showdown at Wimbledon - but the young Serb has the energy to cause a semi-final upset.
Anyone ever wanting to write a tennis preview again, will have nightmares about Marion Bartoli. Even the experts didn't see that coming. Well, at least your truly was the only writer on the web who saw Richard Gasquet winning! With that crumb of comfort, let's get into the preview of Wimbledon's own version of Super Saturday.
Roger Federer vs. Richard Gasquet
The battle of the two best singe-handed backhands in the men's game should really only have one winner. Gasquet played the match of his life against Andy Roddick, with the aforementioned backhand resulting in over 40 winners out of a staggering 93.
Even the King of Grass didn't hit that amount of winners - that's quite simply because Roger never really needs to go the distance at SW19. I certainly don't expect him to be taken the distance in this match. It definitely won't be as lopsided as last year's first-round encounter. Gasquet is a talented shot maker, and he will certainly unfurl some gorgeous backhand winners.
There are a few problems though. For starters, Federer's backhand is even better than Gasquet's. Federer is an extremely intelligent player, and won't go to Richard's backhand side as naively as Roddick did consistently. Finally, what kind of physical and mental shape will Gasquet be in after that gruelling five setter, with less than 15 hours rest? The answer is simple. Federer is going to win, but the Frenchman certainly is capable of taking a set in this match if he has a streak of winners like he had against Roddick.
Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic
A repeat of their semi at Roland Garros, and a match-up that is going to be repeated again quite often over the next few years. This really should have been a classic in the making. However, the scheduling committee certainly have put paid to any hopes of that happening. Despite their seedings, I didn't expect either player to make it to the semis this year. I humbly stand corrected, and it only goes to show that intangibles such as mental strength and intelligence are even more important on the big points than shot-making ability.
I think Marcos Baghdatis predicted this match accurately when he said normally it would be a 50-50, but with Djokovic tired, it's 60-40 in favour of Nadal. Then again just yesterday I predicted Djokovic would be too physically exhausted to overcome Baghdatis after his four-hour affair, only for the 20-year-old Serb to then win a five-hour affair. This match perfectly sums up this year's Wimbledon - unpredictable!
Venus Williams vs. Marion Bartoli
Richard Williams must be fretting right now. Where is the scouting report on Bartoli? Only time will tell if this surprise finalist will be the new Monica Seles. But, boy, can she hit the ball - especially on her backhand side. She is having the tournament of her life, beating Jelena Jankovic and Justine Henin on the way to the final. It's a remarkable achievement for this French girl, considering she has come back from a set down in each of her last three matches.
However, her final opponent should really be just one step too far. After her performances in the first week of Wimbledon, many would have predicted a miracle for Venus to have made it this far. Everyone conveniently forgot that the older Williams is a master of getting into form through a tournament. And the form has arrived in real style with the convenient thrashing of Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Ana Ivanovic - after struggling against Akiko Morigami!
I said yesterday that you can tell from her body language that Venus has all momentum and confidence on her side. Along with excellent court coverage, footwork and speed, she has shown since the weather has improved that she is the undisputed Queen of Centre Court.
Tomorrow she will be crowned for the fourth time. As for Bartoli, she said in her post-match conference that seeing Pierce Brosnan inspired her. Well, if Brosnan comes along to the final with Sean Connery and Daniel Craig, then maybe she can dream of a rescue mission!
