2014 Wimbledon Semi: Djokovic v Dimitrov

[Kieran]

Who wins?

 

[Kieran]

I think all four semi-finalists will look on this one as a big chance to win Wimbledon, but this match might be the most entertaining of the two, rally-wise. Like the other match, we don't know how Grigor will react to the big stage. Both he and Raonic might catch fire and make Federer and Nole look dated - but most likely experience will be a deciding factor, and so often we've seen youngsters humbled in the bright lights.

My head says Nole - but I had a hunch about Grigor before the tourney and picked him fro my challenge, so I won't renege. I think he's been coached well and he's gathering pace this year. I was impressed by how he reacted to his defeat to Rafa in Oz, and he's showing hunger and composure at Wimbo, especially today against a rather feeble Murray.

Grigor in a thriller that goes to five...

 

[DarthFed]

For Djokovic it's kind of been a reverse of prior GS tournaments as he has struggled a decent amount along the way to the semis. Maybe this is when he finally steps up in the SF and F and plays his best tennis. But as I mentioned...until I see it again I will not expect it. I am leaning towards Nole in 5 for this one.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Grigor straight setted Andy, and I always thought Andy is the better grass player than Nole...but still, I cannot make Grigor the favorite in my head.

Nole in 5?

 

[Riotbeard]

Nole in 4 imo. I don't see novak choaking against grigor. Don't get wrong Dimi has the game to win the whole thing, but I am not sure this quite the time.

 

[nehmeth]

Grigor is in the semifinals of Wimbledon and this is probably going to keep him from playing his best. The rest is dependent upon Novak making a quality decision to stay aggressive and not play passive defensive tennis when the other guy is hammering the ball. Picking Novak in three.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I have to agree with Nemeth's post

Novak in 3 sets.

 

[calitennis127]

Novak can be much more offensive against Dimitrov than Murray can (which will eventually take a physical toll on Dimitrov given how he lunges and extends for every ball), plus he can force him into long rallies where the one-handed backhand will break down.

Djokovic is just a tough match-up for Dimitrov.

 

[Moxie]

Nole in 4 imo. I don't see novak choaking against grigor. Don't get wrong Dimi has the game to win the whole thing, but I am not sure this quite the time.

Well, I wouldn't have seen him choking against Cilic, and he nearly did. Novak is going to have to avoid the head-shaking and grumpiness, or Grigor will take advantage. If Cilic took him to 5, I think Dimitrov will.

 

[Riotbeard]

Nole in 4 imo. I don't see novak choaking against grigor. Don't get wrong Dimi has the game to win the whole thing, but I am not sure this quite the time.

Well, I wouldn't have seen him choking against Cilic, and he nearly did. Novak is going to have to avoid the head-shaking and grumpiness, or Grigor will take advantage. If Cilic took him to 5, I think Dimitrov will.

I will agree that it is possible. Much will come down to Novak showing up, not that Grigor can't win even Novak plays well. I think Novak will be ready. He has already had his choke moment IMO. Doesn't mean it can't happen again.

 

[Riotbeard]

Nole in 4 imo. I don't see novak choaking against grigor. Don't get wrong Dimi has the game to win the whole thing, but I am not sure this quite the time.

Well, I wouldn't have seen him choking against Cilic, and he nearly did. Novak is going to have to avoid the head-shaking and grumpiness, or Grigor will take advantage. If Cilic took him to 5, I think Dimitrov will.

I also didn't mean that I don't see Novak choking because he is facing grigor, but I just don't see him choking in the semis. It does help that he isn't playing Murray.

 

[Moxie]

Nole in 4 imo. I don't see novak choaking against grigor. Don't get wrong Dimi has the game to win the whole thing, but I am not sure this quite the time.

Well, I wouldn't have seen him choking against Cilic, and he nearly did. Novak is going to have to avoid the head-shaking and grumpiness, or Grigor will take advantage. If Cilic took him to 5, I think Dimitrov will.

I will agree that it is possible. Much will come down to Novak showing up, not that Grigor can't win even Novak plays well. I think Novak will be ready. He has already had his choke moment IMO. Doesn't mean it can't happen again.

Aside from the notion of Novak choking or getting grumpy, I think Dimitrov is showing better grass chops. If he holds his nerve, and plays his game, he's got a better than even shot. If Nole comes calm and prepared, and gets a jump on the kid, I think he'll be fine. But it's not an easy one to call. Dimitrov has ambitions, and he's starting to realize them. And grass suits him.

 

[TennisFanatic7]

I think Djokovic has had his slip up against Cilic and he takes this one in four with Grigor nicking a breaker in one of the first two sets.

Every chance this one could be a real thriller though, a potential classic even. Imagine if Dimitrov was to beat Djokovic in 5 topsy turvy sets to reach his first major final?

Last year's semi final between Novak and Del Potro was one of the best matches I've ever seen and I'm hoping for something similar here, though that may be an unrealistic expectation, I can still hope for it, at least.

 

[nehmeth]

Aside from the notion of Novak choking or getting grumpy, I think Dimitrov is showing better grass chops. If he holds his nerve, and plays his game, he's got a better than even shot. If Nole comes calm and prepared, and gets a jump on the kid, I think he'll be fine. But it's not an easy one to call. Dimitrov has ambitions, and he's starting to realize them. And grass suits him.

The one constant we can always count on here is that you will make the case for Novak's opponent, whomever it may be. :snigger

 

[TennisFanatic7]

Something that I haven't seen mentioned much around here is that Federer won his first Wimbledon title fresh off a disappointing first round loss in Roland Garros. I wonder how Dimitrov will feel about the "baby-Fed" comparisons that will inevitably crop up again if he does exactly the same this year. It would certainly be an amusing coincidence.

Supposing Roger win it though, I also wonder what the reaction would be if you went back to 2003 and told everyone that in 11 years' time, Roger Federer wins his 8th Wimbledon title, yet one of the main reasons this tournament will be remembered is as a significant moment in the "changing of the guard", given how Grigor, Raonic and Kyrgios performed.

 

[Moxie]

Something that I haven't seen mentioned much around here is that Federer won his first Wimbledon title fresh off a disappointing first round loss in Roland Garros. I wonder how Dimitrov will feel about the "baby-Fed" comparisons that will inevitably crop up again if he does exactly the same this year. It would certainly be an amusing coincidence.

Supposing Roger win it though, I also wonder what the reaction would be if you went back to 2003 and told everyone that in 11 years' time, Roger Federer wins his 8th Wimbledon title, yet one of the main reasons this tournament will be remembered is as a significant moment in the "changing of the guard", given how Grigor, Raonic and Kyrgios performed.

If Dimitrov wins it by beating Roger, like Roger took out Sampras in their only meeting at Wimbledon 2001, that would feel like a changing of the guard.

 

[TsarMatt]

I can see Nole stepping it up here and getting through in straight sets.

 

[Moxie]

I can see Nole stepping it up here and getting through in straight sets.

For sure, but it's not the only scenario, especially because Novak has been unreliable, and Grigor is trying to make a big stand. It's really hard to predict how that match might go. I wouldn't have predicted Murray to lose in straights, would you?

 

[crystalfire]

if djoker comes to play theres little dimitrov can do to win. if not then dimitrov certainly has the game to punish djoker for any lapse in concentration and that will probably deicide the match. i say djoker in straights.

 

[TsarMatt]

I can see Nole stepping it up here and getting through in straight sets.

For sure, but it's not the only scenario, especially because Novak has been unreliable, and Grigor is trying to make a big stand. It's really hard to predict how that match might go. I wouldn't have predicted Murray to lose in straights, would you?

I agree Nole has been unreliable. His attitude during some of the matches during the Cilic match was questionable, too. I just think he'll step it up. It's all instinct. There's nothing that really supports this assertion.

But Dimitrov really surprised with me with his Murray encounter. We'll see if he can do it again.