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 That moment gnaws away at the millions of fans entranced by the
magic of Roger Federer down the years, but on Friday he produced a
display of such technicolor brilliance to crush Andy Murray in the
Wimbledon semi-final that they can rest easy.
This show may run for a while -- starting with Sunday's final
against his great rival Novak Djokovic.
Swiss Federer, 34 next month, scaled heights that even his most
loyal subjects thought they might only witness again by rummaging
through dusty DVDs of his 17 grand slam titles.
British 28-year-old Murray, bidding for his third Wimbledon final,
showed incredible resilience but was powerless to prevent a 7-5 7-5
6-4 defeat.
"I don't know if he's close to his peak," Murray, who did not manage
to win a single point on Federer's first serve in a gripping second
set, told reporters. "But that's definitely the best he served
against me."
Murray may opt to watch his brother Jamie in the men's doubles final
this weekend while Federer gets the chance to avenge last year's
five-set defeat by Djokovic and add a record eighth Wimbledon title
to his glittering collection on Sunday.
Top seed Djokovic also won in straight sets on Friday, beating
gallant Frenchman Richard Gasquet 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4 to reach his fourth
Wimbledon final.
Looking ahead to a 40th meeting between the world's two best
players, Djokovic said: "We shouldn't spend too much words about
Roger. We all know how good he is. He's the greatest ever.
"This is where he loves to play. It's his court. It's going to be
probably the biggest challenge I can have."
When a clinical Djokovic moved two sets clear of 21st seed Gasquet
the outcome was inevitable and hundreds of fans headed out to refuel
before the day's eagerly-anticipated main course -- Murray's third
meeting with Federer on Centre Court lawn.
Federer won the first in the 2012 final but a few weeks later Murray
gained revenge to win Olympic gold -- a moment that launched his
career to a new level that resulted in the U.S. Open title later
that year and the Wimbledon crown in 2013.
MURRAY HEROICS
Since then Federer has added another set of twins to his family, but
no more grand slam titles.
But there is a glint in his eye this year.
He has sauntered through the draw, losing one set and, more
remarkably, one service game, against Gilles Simon on Wednesday.
The winners are flowing, there were 56 on Friday compared to just 11
unforced errors. Nearly half his serves were unreturnable and the
two hours seven minutes he took to outclass Murray took his total
court time for the fortnight to 10 hours.
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If he serves like he did against Murray there is every chance he can
reverse last year's result.
"Definitely it was one of my best serving days of my career,"
Federer, who faced a break point in the first game but from then on
bamboozled Murray, told reporters.
Federer timed his attacks to perfection.
He broke Murray with a wickedly dipping backhand in the 12th game to
win the opening set and the pattern continued.
Federer won all 19 points when he landed his first serve in the
second set.
Murray produced heroics, and even a second serve ace, to save five
set points in a 15 minute game at 4-5 in the second set, the fans
roaring their approval.
Federer did not blink though.
Instead, he held serve to love, and launched new wave of attacks,
earning a sixth set point which he converted with a guided volley
after running Murray ragged.
Murray could only pray Federer's level would dip.
Instead, the best was saved until last.
With Murray's hopes hanging by a thread at 4-5 he belted a forehand
volley into a vacant corner but Federer flicked his wrist and sent
an angled backhand across Murray's bows.
"That's sometimes the stuff you can come up with, it's awesome if it
happens on Centre Court at Wimbledon in a situation like that, no
doubt about it," Federer said.
But what of Sunday's installment?
"Big," he said.
It should be unmissable.
(Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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