One step away from paradise
Novak Djokovic, who is one win away from becoming world number 1, is on track to face Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon finals.
247 – It's inevitable: sooner or later, Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic will be number one in the ATP rankings, breaking a hegemony held by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in recent years. On Wednesday, Djokovic, who has already won the Australian Open and lost only one match in 2011, advanced to the Wimbledon semifinals, defeating Australian Bernard Tomic 3 sets to 1 (6-2, 3-6, 6-3 and 7-5). It was a tough match. Tomic, only 18 years old and possessing a powerful serve, pushed Djokovic to the limit. But the Serbian was better in the decisive moments, especially at the end of the fourth set. With the victory, Djokovic is just one more win away from being number one in the world. He secures the top spot in the ATP rankings if he reaches the final of the tournament. And even if he doesn't, he will be number one if Spaniard Nadal doesn't win.
In the semifinals, Djokovic will face Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who surprised Swiss Roger Federer with a spectacular comeback. The former world number one won the first two sets, but failed to live up to expectations and lost 3 sets to 2 (6/3, 7/6 (7/3), 4/6, 4/6 and 4/6). The defeat prevents Federer from attempting to equal, in this edition of Wimbledon, the record of seven titles at the English Grand Slam, achieved by Pete Sampras and Willie Renshaw. This was only the second defeat for the Swiss player against Tsonga in six matches between the two tennis players, with the Frenchman's last victory having occurred in 2009 at the Canadian Masters 1.000.
In the other match that will determine who advances to the finals, Spaniard Rafael Nadal faces Briton Andy Murray. The world number one Spaniard defeated American Mardy Fish 3-1 (6/3, 6/3, 5/7, 6/4). The reigning Wimbledon champion, Nadal boasts a record of 31 wins and only two losses on the London grass courts, suffered in the finals of 2006 and 2007. Winner in 2008 and 2010, he missed the 2009 competition due to injury. Murray, his opponent in the semifinals, defeated Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 3-0 (6/3, 6/4, 6/4). Friday's semifinal between Nadal and Murray will be the 16th meeting between the two tennis players. The Spaniard holds a significant advantage in the head-to-head record, with 11 wins and only four losses. Last year, the two met in the same stage of the tournament and the Briton lost in straight sets.