Five talking points about the Federer-Murray match

Roger Federer and Andy Murray will meet on Friday afternoon, in the sun-soaked lawns of SW19, in what promises to be a cracker of a semi-final to decide which of the two gets to take a shot at the coveted trophy on Sunday. Both, Federer-Murray, had comfortable outings on Wednesday, easily dismantling their QF opponents in straight sets to set up a rematch of the 2013 Final where Andy finally ended the home crowd’s 77 years long wait for one of their own to clinch the crown. Let’s have a look at the talking points ahead of the blockbuster clash.

Now, as imperious as Roger Federer’s form maybe, he is yet to come up against a top champion on grass this year. This includes his run to the Halle title, which he won for a record 8th time. He has had a fairly easy run this year, though admittedly, his genius makes short work of anyone. Pretty much the same can be said of Andy Murray, who had Canadian surprise package Vasek Popsipil to contend with, on Wednesday. But, all will be left behind when these two descend on the mighty All England Club Centre Court, in what will be the first Titanic clash in the Men’s draw this year. It always promises to be entertaining when the 2 meet since their playing styles are a study in contrast. Murray’s counter-punching defensive style  is an antithesis to Roger Federer’s attacking game.

The contrasting styles and Murray’s emergence in the later stages of the Swiss maestro’s career have resulted in honours being evenly split, with Federer narrowly leading 12-11 in their head to head. Both men will look to the past to seek inspiration, with Federer having it fresh in his mind, how Murray defeated him here, when it mattered the most, to take the Olympics Gold Medal. Murray need not look further than their last 3 meetings, all 3 of which were won by Federer, the last of which, at the 2014 World Tour Finals, especially evoking some painful memories, when Federer toyed around with Murray and dismantled him 6-0,6-1. Murray will look to even their head to head while Roger will look to put a significant gap, with one of the top contenders to his throne.

Roger Federer in flailing form is still better than most players in top form. Or, you might consider it this way; even in the twilight stages of his illustrious career, he still remains right at the apex of Men’s tennis, with the gulf in class between him and mere mortals still evident. There might be a few hiccups, but the fortress still stands, proud and impregnable. What also needs to be marveled at, is the Swiss’ absolute devotion and love for his craft. It isn’t easy to carry on when the time has tamed one as untamed and unstoppable as FedEx was, in his prime. Some get distracted, some just get tired, and some lose interest while it is just sad to see a few champions losing it when it is time to call curtains on their careers. Bjorn Borg retired with McEnroe’s ascent because he wasn’t unbeatable, and he lost his interest in the game that had given him so much. This is in stark contrast to Federer’s enthusiasm, love for the game, fitness and the one who inarguably mastered his craft. Many have tried and many have fallen, but none has been able to properly figure out how to beat the almost 34-year-old. This, when he has had a career at the top for 12 years and when we live in a video age where there is endless  dissection of the opponent’s game and weaknesses. When he lost here, in the second round, back in 2013, the critics were out for his blood, asking why the Swiss doesn’t retire when he clearly doesn’t have it anymore. They too have quietened now, and Federer still stands tall among the ruins. It will be a glorious late career achievement, and perhaps the finest yet, if the Swiss manages to outshine them all and lift the crown, here on Sunday. Also, it will be a fitting one, since it is at Wimbledon where it all began, and it will be at Wimbledon, 100 years down the line, that Federer’s aura will still roam the grounds. I know who I’ll be rooting for when the actions start.

As he has gone about his job in the most efficient manner possible, Roger Federer’s serve is something that has been overshadowed by more controversial events, like Nick Krygios looking as if he is losing it, even before his career has kickstarted. The man with the most fluidic service action in tennis history has gone on for an astonishing 117 games without dropping his serve. It all finally came to a halt, when Giles Simon finally broke it in the second set to deny Federer the chance to have a crack at Ivo Karlovic’s record. It has been a massive factor in him reaching a record 10th Wimbledon Semifinal, only behind Connors’ 11. But this serve will face its  most stern test yet when Britain’s great hope attempts to conquer it on Friday. Both men know each other’s game inside-out, and Andy Murray loves to come up against big servers.

Now, as funny and absurd as it might sound, even anticlimactic, to have this as a talking point, on the eve of one of the biggest match of the year, but this is true. Roger Federer and Andy Murray, both had lunchtime matches on Wednesday, and it was the Swiss, whose match was relegated to Court No. 1. Now, as logical as it might be, for the British public to have their home favorite playing on the Centre Court, with the royalty watching, when he is clearly in great form, associating Roger Federer with any other court just sounds a little unreal. Rude, if I may, if the famed British traditions and etiquettes are taken into consideration! The organizers would do well, to avoid such a faux-pas in the future.