Roger Federer vs. Tommy Haas (Wimbledon 2009 Semifinals)

Number 2 versus Number 24 – but still a very fair game. What I like about tennis, especially in Men’s singles, is that an upset between the high and low seeded players can happen anytime. Let’s not forget that Tommy Haas, the oldest player in the quarterfinals, seeded 24, won against Novak Djokovic, the youngest player in the quarterfinals, seeded 4. Djokovic had his share of surprising wins too; in the 2007 Rogers Cup, while being virtually an unknown player, he was able to beat Andy Roddick (then no. 3) at the quarter finals, Rafael Nadal (then no. 2) at the semifinals and Roger Federer (then no.1 and defending champion) at the finals. He became the first player to defeat the top 3 ranked players in one tournament since 1994 with Boris Becker. Amazing statistics indeed, but sadly, as with any other sport, one is only as good as his last victory; and in the case of this year’s Wimbledon quarterfinals, Djokovic bowed to Haas.

Roger Federer lost the championship to Rafael Nadal last year in the longest Wimbledon match ever recorded (4 hours and 48 minutes!). This ended Federer’s 5-year winning streak. I could imagine his quest for revenge this year, however, Nadal couldn’t defend his title this year due to a knee injury. Because of this, many speculate that Federer would simply ease his way to the championship; but I doubt that guys like Haas would simply hand him a ticket to the finals. Both Federer and Haas are hungry for victory; which makes their match on Friday a must-see. Both players are not getting any younger, and in the field wherein 25 years is considered old, they really must step up and be convincing. The winner of their match would face either Andy Roddick or Andy Murray in the finals.