Posted on 07/06/2012 1:46:55 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
For Roger Federer, it's Wimbledon final No. 8.
For Andy Murray, it's No. 1 — and the first for a British man since 1938.
Federer, a 16-time Grand Slam champion, beat defending champion Novak Djokovic 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 Friday under the closed roof at Centre Court to reach a modern-era record eighth final at the All England Club. He is now one victory from equaling Pete Sampras' record of seven titles.
"I have one more match to go. I'm aware of that," said Federer, who is 6-1 in Wimbledon finals. "Still, it's always nice beating someone like Novak, who has done so well here last year, the last couple years."
The next challenge will come Sunday against Murray, who is the first British man to even reach the Wimbledon final since Bunny Austin 74 years ago. Murray, also trying to become the British man to win the Wimbledon title since Fred Perry in 1936, beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in the second semifinal.
If Federer does win Sunday in his 24th Grand Slam final, the 30-year-old Swiss would also take the No. 1 ranking from Djokovic and equal Sampras' record of 286 weeks as the top-ranked player.
"There's obviously a lot on the line for me in terms of winning here, the all-time Grand Slam record, world No. 1," Federer said. "I'm also going into that match with some pressure, but I'm excited about it. That's what I play for."
Federer and Djokovic went for winners on almost every point. But it was Federer who got the key points when they mattered in the third set.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Apropos nothing, did anyone see the Federer clip where he does a William Tell imitation, hitting an apple off of the head of a man (twice) in a studio? He’s Swiss, after all.
The accuracy of the top players is amazing.
Fed played great. Hope he brings the same game for Murray.
Roger in straight sets. Andy will be so scared you couldn’t pull a pin out of his arse with a tractor.
I hope it is a close match. A five setter would be nice. This is one of the first matches in a long time where I will be happy no matter who wins. My philosophy is “ Anybody but Nadal.” Yuk.
I agree. He will probably pull his tea-bag crybaby ‘oh I’m hurt’ crap in all three sets also.
Speak for yourselves.
I love Federer as a player, but Murray for me. Obviously.
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