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We all understand why some, due to their size or hard hitting skills, are a huge thread to the Big Four such as Tsonga, del Potro, Berdych, and maybe even Isner, but Wawrinka is small and he is able to do stuff others (think Ferrer) of similar size and drive could not achieve.
Now we know Wawrinka can effectively push Djokovic to the limit and even eliminate him in a Grand Slam, but how is Wawrinka's game against the other Big Four?
We all understand why some, due to their size or hard hitting skills, are a huge thread to the Big Four such as Tsonga, del Potro, Berdych, and maybe even Isner, but Wawrinka is small and he is able to do stuff others (think Ferrer) of similar size and drive could not achieve.
Wawrinka is quite a bit bigger and stronger than David Ferrer - who relies on his speed, fitness and dogged retrieving ability, so not really comparable.
Stan hits the ball as hard as anyone, serves approaching 220Ks and powerful winners of both wings.
He has caused the Joker a lot of problems, and really Joker was lucky to get past him last year at the AO. Joker was too passive at times during this match - hoping for mistakes from Stan, and did not play enough offensive shots when needed, allowing Wawrinka to dictate terms. Full credit to Stan the Man.
Should be a good match with Berdych, whom I expect him to beat.
Nadal is now strong favourite to take his 14th Grand Slam, as well as double career grand slam:
He's still got to win 3 more games though, as his Quarter is tonight against Dimitrov - affectionately known as "'Baby Fed"".
Murray is still a dark horse as he hasn't been properly tested yet.
I never meant Murray has it in the bag - I just want him to win and with Novak gone, that takes him a tiny step closer. Murray beat Stan on his 2nd match back from injury a few weeks ago - although I know he is a great player who I have always admired and he will be a tricky customer for sure.
Ah well Andy have to wait for Wimbledon! Fed was superb in the 1st two sets - looked the best I have seen him in a year. Andy showed glimpses of brilliance and he showed he doesn't know when he is beaten but was just not as fit and in as good form as he would have liked to have been.
A lot of positives though - coming back from injury after having surgery, which should remedy the problem, and playing a lot of decent stuff.
Moving on - Fed really is looking like his new coach has gave him a new lease on life. He could cause Nadal a lot of problems I feel. Whoever wins this wins the title although I would love Wawrinka to win it!
Should Nadal be concerned with 2014 Federer who has new racquet and new coach? Will the winner of this semi-finals battle be so beat up and tired that the winner of the other semi (Berdych or Wawrinka) end up taking it all?
Should Nadal be concerned with 2014 Federer who has new racquet and new coach?
Yep ... not only does The Great Fed feel good physically again, but he's obviously playing with a lot of confidence now. That is a lethal combination as Murray just found out. Although, granted, Murray probably isn't back 100% yet.
That said, I still think Fed's impressive run comes to an end in the semi. He may take a set, but Rafa is just too good at this point ... not to mention the fact that he's hungry and really wants this slam.
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Will the winner of this semi-finals battle be so beat up and tired that the winner of the other semi (Berdych or Wawrinka) end up taking it all?
Nope ... I like Wawrinka and think that he would have a better shot at beating Rafa (even though he never has), but it's hard to see Rafa letting this one slip away...
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