Wimbledon 2018 Men’s Semifinal Preview
Kevin Anderson v John Isner
Neither of these two were expected to get this far. With Anderson two sets down against Federer and facing a match-point, he somehow managed to find the resolve to overturn the deficit and end the Swiss’ run with a 13-11 fifth set win.
John Isner ousted 2016 finalist Milos Raonic in five sets during his quarterfinal and is now looking to become the first American to reach a final at SW19 since Andy Roddick in 2009.
The American has an 8-3 winning record against Anderson, including the last five, although their last meeting was back in 2015, the South African revamping his game since then, which has seen him break into the top 10 and make the 2017 US Open semifinals.
Both have huge serves that have been right on tune during this campaign suggesting we could see a few tie-breaks and potentially a five set encounter.
Anderson has certainly had the more difficult draw in getting this far. However, one has to ask, will that win over Federer give him more confidence or will there be anything left in the tank?
Roger Federer vs Kevin Anderson QF Highlights
Nadal v Djokovic
Novak Djokovic against Rafa Nadal has become one of the great tennis rivalries over the last 12-years, featuring some epic battles, something we hope will repeat itself again this afternoon.
Djokovic is chasing a fourth title, while Nadal is gunning for a third. Both players have been in superb form at Wimbledon, although the Serbian has yet to be tested.
Nadal cruised through to the quarterfinals without dropping a set until he faced Del Potro in the quarterfinals, a clash that turned into an epic five-set battle, the Spaniard having to come from 2-1 down to beat the Argentine.
Their head-to-head rivalry has never disappointed, Djokovic with 26 wins to Nadal’s 25, although 16 of the Spaniards wins have come on clay.
In finals Djokovic has a 14-10 winning record against Nadal, although the Spaniard has a 9-4 record in the Slams.
The last time the pair met on grass was the 2011 Wimbledon Final, Djokovic winning in four sets.
Nadal should have the better of his rival on the basis that his opponent is still coming back from that long injury lay-off and hasn’t won a tournament in over a year.
Comparatively Nadal has a 35-2 record this season with 4 tournament wins, granted all of these have been on clay. Still as a result he is the number one ranked player in the world and playing with the confidence that we became use to seeing prior to his period out of the game with knee problems.
Nadal is battle hardened, as we saw against Del Potro, and even if he goes a set down, you still feel he can get himself back into a match no matter what the situation.
Rafa Nadal vs Novak Djokovic – best points at Wimbledon
SPORTSvox.com Prediction
Kevin Anderson is a vastly improved player since he last faced Isner and has been boosted by his 2017 US Open showing, not to mention his incredible win over Federer in the last round. Going with his growing confidence on this one. The South African to win the battle of the big servers in five-sets.
As tough as this one is to call I see Nadal drawing their head-to-head rivalry level to 26 wins-a-piece. Nadal is flying confidence wise at the moment and playing with the desire and heart we have been accustomed to seeing down the years. Nadal to win in four-sets.
