Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have both yet to lose a match in 2011 and so today, something has to give.
Federer turns 30 later this year and many journalists and fans are wondering whether we might start to see a changing of the guard this year. Djokovic will certainly be hoping so. Federer leads their head-to-head 13-6 and without his ongoing presence in the latter stages of the majors, the Serb might well have multiple slam titles by now.
There is considerable anticipation ahead of this match after their US Open semi-final back in September. For nigh on four hours, the pair made high quality tennis seem gloriously simple with Djokovic saving several match points before claiming victory in five sets.
Looking back at that match Federer said, “The US Open was a close match. I think I had two match points. I'm not sure how many I had. Maybe three. I guess I should have won really. I mean, I was playing good enough to win.”
“But I was a bit confused mentally maybe, you know, because we played the second session, it was a back to back with the was Super Saturday, which I'm not a huge fan of. It was unfortunate. Novak and myself both played a good match. In the end, it was a shot here and there. He whacked those forehands in the corners the way he had to to get around, turn the match around.”
Since then Federer defeated an exhausted looking Djokovic in Shanghai, Basel and London but today he will face a much tougher test. Djokovic's tennis has been reminiscent of when he won this tournament three years ago.
Both players were in fantastic form in the quarter-finals and everyone will be hoping they serve up another classic.
