Federer must find way past power of giants
ROGER Federer stands just two wins away from a record eighth Wimbledon tennis title, but faces a perilous trip through the land of the giants if he is to become the tournament’s oldest champion.
The 35-year-old Swiss has defied time and logic to reach a 12th semifinal where he will face 2010 runner-up Tomas Berdych today.
If he gets past the Czech for the 19th time in 25 meetings, Federer will face either Sam Querrey or Marin Cilic in Sunday’s final.
The contrast between the 18-time grand Slam title winner and the other three contenders could not be more stark.
Federer stands 1.85m and weighs in at 85kg; Berdych is 1.95m and 91kg.
Querrey and Cilic tower over him at 1.97m and 95kg and 89kg respectively.
Federer, bidding to reach an 11th final at Wimbledon, is aware of the physical threats posed by his rivals.
“All three guys are taller and stronger than I am,” Federer said.
“I’ve got to figure out a different way, carve my way through somehow with my slice and my spins, my consistency.”
Federer has made the semifinals without dropping a set. He even managed to match Milos Raonic, who boasts the second fastest serve of the tournament at a blistering 228.5km/h, with 11 aces in his quarterfinal victory.
Federer is the second oldest semifinalist after Ken Rosewall, who finished runner-up in 1974 at the age of 39.
He is reaping the rewards of pruning his schedule, with Wimbledon just his seventh event of the year. He skipped last year’s and this year’s French Opens.
Berdych, meanwhile, will not be overawed by facing Federer, having defeated him in four sets in the 2010 quarterfinals on his way to his only appearance in a slam final.
He is in the Wimbledon semifinals for the second successive season after a poor year at the slams in which he exited the Australian Open in the third round and Roland Garros after two matches.
Querrey, meanwhile, has reached a maiden semifinal at the majors.
The 24th-seeded American, who knocked out 2015 champion Djokovic 12 months ago, proved that was no fluke by downing holder Murray in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old is also the first American man to reach a grand slam semifinal since Andy Roddick reached the Wimbledon final in 2009.
Querrey trails 2014 US Open champion and seventh seed Marin Cilic 4-0 in head-to-head meetings. Two of those clashes have been at Wimbledon -- 2009 and 2012.