18 replies to this topic

[Vibhu batra]

This article of mine is in continuation from my previous article in which I explained what according to me are the 10 reasons why Roger Federer will win Wimbledon 2012.


So, the next big question in every one's mind is can Roger Federer play up to his potential vs Novak Djokovic?





The match is scheduled to start at about 1 pm BST on center court which is roughly 12 hours from now.


Roger Federer still leads the Head to head 14-12 vs Novak Djokovic.



This will be Roger Federer & Novak Djokovic's 11th meeting at a grand-slam & no other two players in the history of grand slam have played each other more than 10 times.


If you have a look at their rivalry , out of the last 7 matches that they both have played, Djokovic has won 6 out of those.


Thou, in the grand slams, they still are tied 5 all.


In the semi-finals of Grand Slams, they have played 9 times, with Djokovic leading 5-4.


So, keep reading, if you are interested to know, what I think, Roger Federer needs to do to beat Djokovic in their first ever meeting on grass.

[Vibhu batra]

(i) Roger Federer needs to serve well

If you had seen that forgettable French Open, 2012 semi-final match between Roger Federer & Novak Djokovic, you would have noticed it was the worst ever service peRFormance by Federer. He got broken thrice in the 2nd set & frankly, that was the worst that I have ever seeing Roger federer serving in the last 13 years.



A quick rewind of his magnificent peRFormance during French Open, 2011 semi-final vs Djokovic & the key to success was his immaculate service.


There is no denying of the fact, that Djokovic reads Federer's service better than any one, but, still, memory of 2011 French Open tells us that if Roger can serve that well, Djokovic is bound to get frustrated.

[Vibhu batra]

(ii) Roger Federer needs to come to the net more often ----

I have said it many times before & I will keep repeating that the only issue that perturbs me when Roger Federer is playing against Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic is that he is hesitant to come to net.

I know, its easier said than done, but, he is such a nice volleyer & to put the base-line game of Djokovic & Nadal away, its must to approach net more often.

Having said that, I know for sure, that even Roger Federer & his team know that approaching net more team will be the key to his success & hope, he will do that.

Plus, his volleying style is more suited for Grass courts.

[Vibhu batra]

(iii) Go Hard on Novak Djokovic's forehand

I surely am in that camp of believers who believe that if some one goes really hard on Novak Djokovic's forehand, it has a much greater chance to wilt down. Even, Rafa Nadal exploited this during the Italian Open & French Open finals.

There is no denying of the fact, that his double handed back-hand is arguably the best ever that I have seen in the modern era, thou, Andre Agassi back-hand was more close & dear to my heart .

[Vibhu batra]

(iv) More Usage of Slice back-hands

Roger Federer has to try to use a lot of slice, varying pace/spin of shots. Roger will have to make many shots with slightly varying pace to stop Novak Djokovic from getting in to that baseline groove.

[Vibhu batra]

(v) Try to draw Novak Djokovic on to the net & use his weakness at the Net






Of all the players who have remained No. 1 consecutively for 52 weeks or more, probably Djokovic's volleying has to be the weakest.


Some how, Roger Federer has to use his short slice more & try to entice Djokovic on to the net & then play his world-famous passing shots.



Also, its a fact that Novak Djokovic has a great chance to get frustrated if his back-hand winners are not winning him points. Before mid 2010, it was the biggest weakness of Djokovic that once he started getting frustrated, his game used to crumble a lot.

[Vibhu batra]

If some one was to put a gun on my head & ask me, what the likely outcome is likely to be, I will say, if Roger Federer is to win, then he will win in 4 sets.

[Vibhu batra]

If You liked reading the article, don't forget to invite me for a cup of coffee

If that sounds expensive, then-----

Please follow us on

E-mail Subscription

Facebook ,


Twitter,


or G Plus

I assure you, we only talk meaningful stuff, else, I pay for the coffee .

[Vibhu batra]

To win some cool prizes, try your luck in this contest

http://www.rogerfede...me-cool-prizes/

[Poorna]

so excited for this semis! vibhu nicely done! loved it!!

[Anna]

the biggest worry for me is today's weather....


as we can see, its raining & even the forecast is so-so bad.......


Hope, Roger can play well if the roof will be closed........


the prospect of an indoor grass court match worries me.... Thou, I know, that roger is the best ever indoor hard court player...


Vamos Roger.

[sausan]

I hope that Federer doing this five steps,and to be good weather during the match
I do not want to think about something other than Federer win, he will do it
common Federer

[kartnite]

Encapsulates everything...

Playing indoors - Djokovic has played 3, Federer has played 1. That's another thing he might have to watch out for (especially looking at how he struggled against Benneteau). Indoor grass courts are totally different from indoor hard court. Duh!

Otherwise, yes - (1) he needs to serve lights-out, a la French Open 2011. And literally skewer Djokovic. Easier said than done, but if one person 'can' do it... It is Monsieur Federer.

(3) Work that forehand - but making sure he isn't made a yo-yo of, like what happened at Roland Garros 2012!

(4) is the most important of all... That's how he has been able to keep the big servers like Del Potro at bay.

Regarding net play (2)/(5): yes... But he shouldn't have an off day at the net! Djokovic's net game is improving with every match...

& add a sixth, mate - Federer should NOT take it to 5 sets. Period.

[Poorna]

If some one was to put a gun on my head & ask me, what the likely outcome is likely to be, I will say, if Roger Federer is to win, then he will win in 4 sets.

good prediction vibhu!

[Poorna]

super dooper excited !! cant believe his 17th title is very close!! love u roger

[Vibhu batra]

good prediction vibhu!

Thanks Poorna, have been actually seeing & playing for almost 2.2 decades now, so at least, know a few things, glad that you all liked this article ..

[Poorna]

u r always THE BEST!

[sausan]

yala Vibhu
Now wait for your prediction and expectations to the final match