Neither match up's will pose many new questions to the players. Federer and Djokovic have faced off a mammoth 27 times already, whilst Tsonga and Murray have met 6 times, importantly with 2 wins for Murray on the grass, but there are some slight differences that will add some extra spice to today's match up's.
First Semi- Roger Federer (3) vs (1) Novak Djokovic
History and records are on the line once again for Roger Federer in this match up. A win over Djokovic puts his much discussed quest to return to number one in his own hands, giving him the possibility to overtake Sampras for most weeks at the top of the pile and claim another record that strengthens his claim for GOAT.
Another tangible in this match up will be the grass factor. Federer as the former 6 time champion here will fancy his chances in a completely new surface match-up, without forgetting that Djokovic won here last year, and is by no means a rookie on the surface.
In terms of how the surface might affect the match up, the lower bounce on grass will reward the more creative side of Federer's game. No doubt he'll hope to bring Djokovic in with low slices and pass him at the net, a tactic he used to great effect earlier in his rivalry with the young Serb. For Djokovic, he'll be best served to be consistent from the baseline and drag Federer into the longer rallies which will benefit his punishing game and draw Federer into overhitting.
Talent wise, both are two of the best players of all time, so for sure the match will be decided by one or two moments. Djokovic goes in favourite due to his recent grand slam head to head with Roger, and for the ageing Federer to win you would think he needs a good start and preferably the first set to build a head of steam.
The final wildcard in Federer's favour is the glorious British summer. The forecast for today is for the roof to be closed, rendering the match an indoor match, bringing into play Federer's sublime indoor career record that includes over 20 titles. Indoor's the consistent conditions allow Federer greater margin and more comfort on his backhand which has been prone to shanks in windy conditions.
Prediction: Djokovic in five sets. 3-6, 6-2, 6-7, 6-2, 7-5
Second Semi- Andy Murray (4) vs (5) Jo- Wilfried- Tsonga
Home favourite Andy Murray see's his best chance to reach a final since 2009, as he faces the charismatic Frenchman Jo- Tsonga, a fellow semi-finalist yet to make a final on the lawns on SW19. \
The British hopeful owns a 5-1 positive h2h record against Tsonga with 2 of his wins coming on grass, at Wimbledon in the quarters in 2010, and in last year's Queens Club final. Undoubtedly however the Tsonga of 2012 is a whole new prospect. His French Open quarter final performance on considerably his worst surface shows just what good form he is in, even taking Djokovic the distance with a combination of big serves and blistering forehands, tactics further rewarded on the grass courts.
Murray's draw saw many worrying that he might not even make the second week, but a combination of awesome returning and tenacious defense has seen him fight his way past the likes of Davydenko, Karlovic, Baghdatis, Cilic and Ferrer, by far the most impressive route of the four semi-finalists. This match practice should stand him in good stead, particularly to deal with the powerful serve and main weapon of the frenchman.
A potential indoor match probably see's this match becoming a throwback serve fest to the days of Sampras and Ivanisevic. The stabilised conditions have favoured Murray in his matches, but both he and Tsonga will be serving bombs, and i fancy the match includes a couple of tiebreaks in a four set thriller.
Prediction: Murray in five sets. 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 7-9
DJT
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