Djokovic and Federer Book Semis Clash at Wimbledon

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: Getty Images

(July 4th, 2012) There was a moment late in the third set in the quarterfinal match between top seed Novak Djokovic and No. 31 seed Florian Mayer when Djokovic, serving at 30-all, 5-4, let out a deep exhale. It was a telling indicator of how tough of a match Mayer gave Djokovic who was seeking a return trip to the Wimbledon semifinals.

Djokovic was not happy early on, either dealing with Mayer's unconventional groundstrokes or an apparent issue with his contact lenses. Both men traded early breaks, but it was Mayer who had a golden chance when he held 0-40 on Djokovic's serve at 4-all. But Mayer, having a wide open court on the next point, chose to hit a forehand volley straight back to Djokovic who then hit a ripping down the line backhand winner. Djokovic eventually held and then broke Mayer in the next game to take the set.

While Mayer displayed fine defense throughout, it was Djokovic who put on a master class, winning a 32 shot rally that forced Mayer to try and end the point with a half-hearted approach shot. Djokovic broke later for 3-1 and then served an ace to close out the set. Mayer tested Djokovic once again in the third set, even when Djokovic served for it at 5-4. Mayer held three break points in the final game but Djokovic saved them all and hit his seventh ace down the tee to seal a 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 victory.

Waiting for Djokovic in the semifinals will be a familiar face, but one who hasn't reached this stage of the Championships since 2009. Roger Federer took on Russia's Mikhail Youzhny on Centre Court in front of a packed Royal Box that included Prince William and tennis royalty Rod Laver, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.

If the luminaries were hoping for a battle, they didn't get it as Federer, owning a 13-0 lifetime record against the Russian, broke Youzhny in his opening service game and didn't look back after that as Federer raced away with the first and second sets in just under an hour. On the strength of 25 winners and 13 unforced errors, Federer jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the third set. Youzhny saved three match points on his serve but it was Federer with a final backhand volley winner on his fourth match point who booked safe passage back to the semis with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win.

With the routine win, Federer broke more records in his stellar career. He moved to No. 3 all time for the most match wins at Wimbledon and reached his 32nd career Slam semifinal, bypassing Jimmy Connors who had 31.

"I'd love to play Novak," said Federer afterwards. "I don't think I've played him here at #Wimbledon so that would be a first and a nice match obviously."

Tsonga Storms Into Second Wimbledon Semi

No. 5 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga relied on his big serving and some almost daredevil-like play up at net to secure his straight second appearance in the Wimbledon semifinals. Taking on Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber, a man he owned a five to one lifetime record over, Tsonga faced a sterner than expected test as both men played well from the baseline to force a first set tiebreak that Tsonga, after being up 6-1, won 7-5 with a final ace.

Tsonga fell behind early in the second set but rallied to pull within to 4-all before Kohlschreiber earned another break that allowed him to serve it out 6-4. Though the German fought off five break points midway through the third set, it was Tsonga's big serving in another tiebreak that saw him take a two sets to one advantage.

A poor game from the German gave Tsonga a 3-1 advantage in the final set and from there Tsonga assumed control as he claimed a 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-2 victory.

Murray Marches Past Ferrer In Four TIght Sets

Great Britain's hope for a men's champion No. 4 seed Andy Murray was expecting a tough battle against Spain's No. 7 seed David Ferrer in their match on Centre Court and he got that and more as both men grinded from the baseline while also throwing in some almost magical winners in their nearly four hour match.

Ferrer earned an early break in the opening set but Murray stormed back with the aid of the partisan crowd and forced a tiebreak. But Ferrer just edged the Scot with a well-hit down the line forehand to take the set.

WIth a late break in the second set, Ferrer had a chance to serve for a two sets to love lead, but he played a nervy service game, hitting three forehand errors to give Murray the break back. Once again the set was decided by a tiebreak that saw Murray win another extended rally to level the match at one set all.

Murray stepped up his game in the third set and with some aggressive returns was able to get a crucial break to go up 5-4. Murray closed out the set with an ace but Ferrer wasn't ready to give it to the Scot as Ferrer earned break points midway through set number four to possibly break and possibly force a final set.

But Murray rose to the occasion as he saved the break points and eventually forced yet another tiebreak. Though Ferrer pushed the breaker to 3-all, Murray came up with some spectacular serving, hitting three aces including the final one, his 18th of the match, to seal a hard-earned 6-7(5), 7-6(6), 6-4, 7-6(4) victory and with it set up a semifinal versus Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday.

"Very tough match, long match, tight moments. Just played a little bit better," said Murray afterwards. "It's a huge match for both of us. It was close and if I'd lost that fourth set it was going to be a very tough fight."