Roger Federer produced another stunning performance to reach his 11th Wimbledon final after beating Tomas Berdych 7-6(4) 7-6(4) 6-4.
Before today’s Semi-Final, Tomas Berdych had not beaten his opponent Roger Federer in his last seven matches and he struggled through his opening service game as he faced break point. However he survived his first mental test by holding through some big serving and moving the seven time champion around the court. However it wasn’t too long before the Swiss maestro was able to break Berdych with stunning movement and a beautifully timed volley for a 3-2 lead.
Federer was showing the Centre Court crowd why he was the outright favourite to win the title on Sunday as he was displaying tennis that you would normally see in exhibition matches. However there were signs of Federer’s nervousness as a double fault handed the 11th seed a break for 4-4. Big serves helped Berdych save two break points in the eleventh game to lead 6-5. Federer held in the very next game to force a first set tiebreak. Small margins were the key for Federer as he won the tiebreak 7-4.
Federer maintained his confidence in the second set as he tried to ensure the early break was made. However in the fourth game Berdych continued to show his resiliency as he saved break points for 2-2. Berdych was starting to show tactical awareness and confidence and in the seventh game he had break point opportunity for a 4-3 lead.
However big serving and stunning shot selection proved why Federer is the greatest of all time as he showed courage to hold. Despite the small disappointment Berdych continued to fend off the Federer return with some of his massive first serve. There were no breaks of serve as the second set once again resulted in a tiebreak. Despite Berdych’s best efforts, Federer once again dominated proceedings as he took the tiebreak 7-4.
Despite the loss of the third set the 2010 finalist stuck with his gameplan and continued to hit the ball hard around the court to get Federer moving. A breakthrough for Berdych seemed apparent in the sixth game when the Czech Repulican had two break points. However four big serves sealed the hold for Federer over a frustrated Berdych for 3-3.
That frustration told from Berdych as he was broken in the next game as Federer continued his grass court masterclass. The Swiss maestro wrapped up the match in 2 hours and 18 minutes to book his place in his 11th Wimbledon final.
After the match Federer reflected on his tournament, ‘I feel very privileged to be in another final. I’ve got the pleasure to play on Centre Court another time. I can’t believe it’s almost true again. I’m happy to have a day off to reflect on what I’ve done at the tournament.’
He also commented on the final on Sunday, ‘Last time we had a brutal match – I was two sets down. I had to get lucky to win. Marin is a great guy. He’s a lovely guy. In his first Wimbledon final. He crushed me at the US Open a few years ago – I hope he doesn’t play that good.’
Roger Federer will play Marin Cilic in the Wimbledon final on Sunday as Federer looks for his eight Wimbledon title.
