Wimbledon Men's Semifinals: Previews and Advantages
By Covers.com
Novak Djokovic -250 vs. Roger Federer +185
For the second straight grand slam tournament Djokovic will face a six-time champion. The last time he found himself in this situation, he lost in the finals versus Nadal at Roland Garros, which gave Nadal his seventh French Open crown.
Now he faces the man in the cashmere retro sweater for their first meeting at the All England Club - the only place the two haven't met in a grand slam yet. (The sweater, by the way, retails for around $200 if you have the tennis balls to wear it around your buddies.)
Djokovic is the world No. 1, defending Wimby champ and has won six of the last seven meetings with Federer. But during ESPN's coverage on Wednesday, broadcaster Darren Cahill said this could be Federer's best chance at turning the tables on Djokovic. Federer is healthy and in form and effortlessly took down Mikhail Youzhny in the quarters, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
Djokovic, however, has barely broken a sweat on his run to the semis. He has only lost one set so far (to Radek Stepanek in the third round) and just looks frightnenigly good right now.
The 25-year-old Serb has only failed to qualify for one grand slam final since the 2010 US Open, which was at last year's French Open when he lost to Federer in the semifinals. He was the pre-tourney fave to win Wimbledon at just +165.
Advantage: Djokovic
Andy Murray -225 vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga +175
Not a blade of grass nor a speck of bleachers could be seen for spectators on "Murray Mount" during Wednesday's quarterfinal match against David Ferrer, which Murray won in four sets. Murray now has a chance to become the first Brit to reach the finals of Wimbledon since Bunny Austin in 1938.
If you're a betting man, you have to like his chances. Murray is 5-1 against Jo-Willy including a victory at the finals of the Queen's Club event just before Wimbledon. Murray also beat Tsonga at Wimbledon in four sets of the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2010.
Murray is one of the few on the ATP who can serve with Tsonga's power so this one will likely come down to nerves and ground strokes - and maybe physical fitness if we see this go five sets.
This marks the second straight year Tsonga has reached the Wimby semis and the fourth straight year for Murray.
Advantage: Murray