So Djokovic is through to his fourth Wimbledon final in five years, and his 17th major final overall. Could it be Andy Murray next? Or will it be Roger Federer? It’ll be fun finding out. Thanks for reading. Bye!
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That was an impressive performance from Djokovic, and certainly his finest serving display of the tournament so far. Gasquet had a chance in that opening set, but once Djokovic went ahead, he never let up, as he put to bed any talk of a hangover from his defeat in the French Open final. And I still think he can get better. As for Gasquet, once again he loses in style. Unfortunately for him, there are no bonus points for aesthetics.
So so impressive @DjokerNole 4th @Wimbledon final in 5 years. Dare I say, Fed like numbers!!
— Patrick McEnroe (@PatrickMcEnroe) July 10, 2015
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Djokovic, sweat still dripping, speaks:
It was a very good performance considering the occasion. Semi-finals are always tough. Richard had a great tournament, he deserved to be in the semis. [The shoulder] is nothing that worries me, it’ll be fine for the next match. I’m definitely living the dream being here at Wimbledon. I’m just glad to reach another final. If you look at the names of the legends who’ve played in the finals of this great event, it’s an honour and a privilege to be out there. The final for Wimbledon I think is the most-watched tennis match in the world. There’s a lot at stake, I’ll be ready for it.
Djokovic to another final. No surprises in the first match ....had the feel of a pleasant warmup act before the headliner (Federer-Murray)
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) July 10, 2015
Djokovic defeats Gasquet 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the final!
An easy overhead for Djokovic, 15-0. A miscued slice from Gasquet, 30-0. An ace from Djokovic, 40-0. Three match points to add to the two from the previous game. And Djokovic wins it with a one-two punch straight from the tennis textbook! Djokovic raises his arms in the air, clenches his fists, blows a kiss and pats the grass. He’s into his fourth Wimbledon final.
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Third set: *Djokovic 7-6, 6-4, 5-4 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Gasquet is now serving to stay in this semi-final. At 15-all, Gasquet frames the ball, which probably lands on Wimbledon Common. 15-30. 30-all, as Djokovic can’t quite get enough on his backhand volley, which trickles into the net. Boris grimaces. Then a Gasquet backhand error, somewhat inappropriately, brings up match point at 30-40. Djokovic attempts to gobble up the short ball but coughs up an error instead. Deuce. Advantage Djokovic, a second match point. Gasquet misses his first serve, his second is called as a let, his second second goes in, and Djokovic is later forced into the error. Deuce. Advantage Gasquet (with a delicate half-volley much like Djokovic’s in the previous game, why hasn’t Gasquet come to the net more often today?). Deuce. Advantage Gasquet after an extraordinary exchange. Game Gasquet. He’s forced Djokovic to serve this out.
Third set: Djokovic 7-6, 6-4, 5-3 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
From 15-all, some quickness of mind and touch from Djokovic sees him pull of a stunning half-volley. He’s played so well at the net today. 30-15. He’s back at the net a couple of points later and this time he takes a leaf out of his coach’s book, diving Boris Becker-like, throwing his racket at the ball too, but Gasquet’s pass is too good. 40-30. Game.
Third set: *Djokovic 7-6, 6-4, 4-3 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Gasquet looks a little resigned to his fate. But he does still have the legs to scramble forward to a drop-shot and scramble back to retrieve a lob, before going on to lose the point. Djokovic has him running around all over the shop on the fourth point too, and Gasquet twists, turns and pirouettes to win it in style. He’s going to lose beautifully. But he does win this game to 15.
Third set: Djokovic 7-6, 6-4, 4-2 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Gasquet fails to make any inroads on the Djokovic serve, that’s a routine hold to 15, leaving Djokovic, potentially, two games from the final.
“@christophclarey: If there is winning ugly, there must also be losing pretty #Gasquet”interesting thought
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) July 10, 2015
Third set: *Djokovic 7-6, 6-4, 3-2 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
A worrying moment for Djokovic as he falls awkwardly on the grass. So often you see Djokovic sliding, spinning and stretching and still winning the point. Not this time. But he picks himself up and dusts himself off. He gets to 30 on Gasquet’s serve but no further.
Third set: Djokovic 7-6, 6-4, 3-1 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Despite the scoreline, Djokovic hasn’t looked entirely happy today, in terms of his body language. Perhaps it’s his shoulder. But appearances can be deceptive; the world No1 often throws his opponents off-guard by appearing to struggle mentally or physically before going in for the kill. And the kill seems close: 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game.
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Third set: *Djokovic 7-6, 6-4, 2-1 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
30-all. Will it be game point Gasquet or break point Djokovic? Djokovic has been so strong on the 30-alls and deuces during this match. And he takes this one to get to 30-40. Gasquet’s shot is called long on break point and that’s the game! But wait, no it’s not. Gasquet goes to Hawk-Eye, which shows his effort caught about 1mm of the line! Deuce. Advantage Djokovic, another break point, with a deft forehand angled volley. Gasquet’s backhand balloons into the tramlines and there’s the break.
Third set: Djokovic 7-6, 6-4, 1-1 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Danger for Djokovic, 0-30. He rides his luck at times on the next point, Gasquet seemingly with the initiative, but the Frenchman then shoots high and wide on the forehand side. 15-30. 30-all. Gasquet is cursing after the next point as his effort sails a foot or so over the baseline. 40-30. Game Djokovic. A missed opportunity there for Gasquet, who responded to the chance at 0-30 with several loose shots.
Third set: *Djokovic 7-6, 6-4, 0-1 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
At 30-all, the pair engage in a backhand-off. There’s only one winner, of course, even though said winner isn’t going to win this match. 40-30. Gasquet double faults and it’s deuce, but his cute backhand volley brings up game point. He gets a second chance at a first serve courtesy of an appeal to Hawk-Eye, and he makes the most of it with an ace. Gasquet’s ahead in a set for the first time in this match.
Djokovic wins the second set 6-4
Djokovic’s 112mph second serve has too much on it and he double faults. 15-all. Which becomes 15-30. A chance here for Gasquet? No, because Djokovic fires an ace out wide, 30-all, and then sends one down the middle in the interests of symmetry, 40-30. A longer point ensues on the set point, but the outcome is no different. Djokovic is two sets to the good and Gasquet has a mountain to climb.
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Second set: *Djokovic 7-6, 5-4 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Gasquet has been plagued by self-doubt during his career. Does he really believe he can win from here? He’s shaky on the opening point, 0-15, but shows resolve to get to 30-15. 40-15, with another winner on the backhand side. If only Gasquet’s forehand and mental strength were as good as his backhand, he’d be unbeatable. He holds to 30. And the trainer is back on for Djokovic as the Serb prepares to serve for a two sets to love lead.
Enjoying THE backhand? All 13 of Gasquet's winners off the ground have come from that wing. He trails 7-6, 4-3 pic.twitter.com/R103QMx015
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2015
Second set: Djokovic 7-6, 5-3 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
At the changeover, Gasquet engages in his usual antics of re-gripping his racket in double quick time. Djokovic, meanwhile, has the trainer on, for a bit of manipulation on his left shoulder. Djokovic doesn’t call for an injury time-out. And you’d have no idea he was struggling at all as he wins a short, sharp first point on serve. Djokovic briefly loses focus and it’s 30-all. But he rattles off the next two points, forcing Gasquet to hold serve to stay in the second set.
Second set: *Djokovic 7-6, 4-3 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Ooohs and aaahs from the Centre Court crowd with Gasquet at the net and Djokovic defending for his life. Gasquet finishes the point with an overhead. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. Gasquet has held relatively comfortably in his past two service games, but unless he is able to break Djokovic soon he’ll find himself two sets down.
Second set: Djokovic 7-6, 4-2 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
At 15-0, Djokovic winds up with an inside-out forehand but the ball flies off the top of the net and into the tramlines. 15-all. Undeterred, Djokovic sets up the next point with a couple of powerful inside-out forehands, before going cross-court with the winner. 30-15. More punishing hitting, 40-15. Game.
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Second set: *Djokovic 7-6, 3-2 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
A mixed bag from Gasquet, including a double fault and ace, but he holds to 30.
Second set: Djokovic 7-6, 3-1 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
A huge shift in momentum. Gasquet, having been on the verge of going a double break down, has two chances to break at 15-40 on Djokovic’s serve. Djokovic saves the first with a classic one-two punch. And the second with an ace out wide. His serve has been so true today, his first serve percentage is at 79% for the match. From deuce, Gasquet slaps into the net. And it’s a case of deja vu on game point as the Frenchman can only direct his shot into the exact same spot of the net.
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Second set: *Djokovic 7-6, 2-1 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
If you give Djokovic an inch, he’ll take a mile. Having won the first set, the defending champion is hitting with such purpose and depth now, and Gasquet is left scurrying around behind the baseline. Some tete-a-tete at the net midway through the game and, appropriately, it’s the Frenchman who wins. But a figurative guillotine is still hovering over his neck. Djokovic has a break point at 30-40. Gasquet recovers to deuce. Djokovic should have another break point, but flashes his forehand just wide. Advantage Gasquet. Game Gasquet. A reprieve.
Second set: Djokovic 7-6, 2-0 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic is in his serving groove, as he turns 0-15 into 15-all, 30-15, 40-15, game, with two aces along the way. Boris Becker nods approvingly from the players’ box.
Second set: *Djokovic 7-6, 1-0 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Gasquet is down on his luck here. 30-40, a break point already at the start of this second set. But Gasquet has his go-to shot and averts the danger with a backhand winner. Deuce. Advantage Gasquet. Double fault, deuce. The pair trade backhand bomb after backhand bomb, but then Gasquet for some reason decides to run around his best shot and go for the inside-out forehand. He nets. And Djokovic wins the next point to break!
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Djokovic wins the first-set tie-break 7-2!
Djokovic needs only one as Gasquet’s forehand flies beyond the baseline! A devastating tie-break for Gasquet given the way he’d played to force the breaker. Djokovic is such a good frontrunner, can you see a way back for Gasquet from here? I’m not sure I can, even though it is only a one-set deficit.
As Johnny Mac said 'He blinked.' So true as Djokovic wins 1st set over Gasquet 76. Richard looked good, then sloppy. Novak could crush him
— Matt Cronin (@TennisReporters) July 10, 2015
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First set tie-break: *Djokovic 6-2 Gasquet
Djokovic’s backhand volley brings up four set points
First set tie-break: *Djokovic 5-2 Gasquet
Gasquet blinks again as he throws in another unforced error
First set tie-break: Djokovic 4-2 Gasquet*
Gasquet’s effort flies long, and Hawk-Eye can’t help him out this time. A tight shot that
First set tie-break: Djokovic 3-2 Gasquet*
But Djokovic holds serve on the next point
First set tie-break: *Djokovic 2-2 Gasquet
Djokovic is left chuntering to himself after conceding the advantage
First set tie-break: *Djokovic 2-1 Gasquet
But Gasquet concedes the mini-break with a forced forehand error
First set tie-break: Djokovic 1-1 Gasquet*
Gasquet appeals to Hawk-Eye, which shows Djokovic’s effort was long!
First set tie-break: Djokovic 1-0 Gasquet*
An ace from Djokovic
First set: *Djokovic 6-6 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Djokovic, having looked more assured in the early baseline rallies, now looks the more unsettled. He snatches at a forehand, 15-0. And Gasquet goes on to bring up game point with another beauty of a backhand winner. 40-15. Gasquet goes for broke on serve, and sends down his first double fault of the day. No problem, though. He wins the next point to take the world No1 to a tie-break.
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First set: Djokovic 6-5 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Now it’s Djokovic’s turn to get in on the backhand passing act. 30-15. His two-fisted effort doesn’t look as good as Gasquet’s though. If only Gasquet got points for artistic effort, he’d already have this set in the bag. 30-15 turns into 40-15 which turns into game. Djokovic is serving well here; his first-serve percentage stands at 82% (Gasquet’s is down at 50%).
Gasquet's playing great and is the better player so far. If he doesn't win the set, he'll be livid
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) July 10, 2015
First set: *Djokovic 5-5 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
So Gasquet must hold serve to stay in this set. You feel, given his poor record against Djokovic and against other top players at grand slams, winning this set is far more important for his chances than Djokovic’s. Djokovic can easily come from a set down, he’s Djokovic. He’s the man who’d walk through walls if he had to. But I digress. Gasquet glides to 40-15 and comes up with a quite ridiculous backhand down to line to take the game.
First set: Djokovic 5-4 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Gasquet looks like he’s on a roll, charging through the first point, seemingly charging through the second, here’s the smash to settle matters ... but he misses! 15-all. 30-15 Djokovic, after another entertaining and enthralling exchange. It’s great to see Gasquet bringing his best tennis to the Centre Court, he hasn’t always in the past. Djokovic holds to 15, when he could so easily have been 0-30 down had the overhead gone in.
First set: *Djokovic 4-4 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Gasquet hasn’t hit a single unforced error so far. He has Djokovic slipping and sliding all over the grass here, and holds to 30. Can he do what he’s never done against Djokovic at a grand slam by winning a set?
First set: Djokovic 4-3 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic is in a little bit of a hole at 15-30. So he bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounces the ball before serving, giving himself even more time than usual, before recovering to 30-all. Djokovic then aims at Gasquet’s backhand, almost saying to the Frenchman: “RIGHT GIVE ME WHAT YOU’VE GOT.” Foolhardy or brave? Gasquet misses (though only by a whisker), so you’d have to say brave. And Djokovic goes on to hold.
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First set: *Djokovic 3-3 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Djokovic looks a little frustrated. He’s getting plenty of chances on Gasquet’s second serve but hasn’t been able to take them. 40-15. Djokovic then gives Gasquet a taste of his own medicine by seeing Gasquet’s backhand and raising it with a winner down the line, having opened up the court. 40-30. Which becomes game Gasquet.
'If I'm Sebastien Grosjean I'm telling Gasquet to red-line it. Neutral isn't going to get it done against Djokovic.' - Roddick on @bbc5live
— DavidLaw (@DavidLawTennis) July 10, 2015
First set: Djokovic 3-2 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Gasps followed by applause as a Gasquet backhand down the line gets him to 15-30. Djokovic comes back at the Frenchman, 30-all. Gasquet’s really getting some pace on his shots, he’s going at the world No1. On the next point, they trade some baseline bombs before advancing to the net where the battle reaches a conclusion when Djokovic comes up with a winning volley. And from there Djokovic holds.
First set: *Djokovic 2-2 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Gasquet should really do better with a volley on the opening point. 0-15. But there’s that backhand again, 15-all. The pair send each other left and right and left and right and left and right and left and right, before Djokovic scampers left to his backhand and nets. 30-15. Another Djokovic error, 40-15. Djokovic takes out his frustrations on the return by walloping an attempted forehand down the line, but the balls cracks into the tape. Game.
First set: Djokovic 2-1 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
But look, here’s a chance for Gasquet. He gets to deuce on Djokovic’s serve. Gasquet, lurking behind the baseline in the shadows despite the rest of the court being covered in sunlight, gets a break point! But Djokovic dismisses the danger with an ace. Deuce. Advantage Gasquet, another break point. And Gasquet gobbles up the short ball and pings a backhand winner! We’re back on serve.
Exactly the start Gasquet did not want vs Djoker = huge trouble
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) July 10, 2015
First set: *Djokovic 2-0 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Gasquet needs to make an early statement on serve here. But Djokovic skips into the net and a lovely sliced backhand cuts deep into the corner. 0-15. Strong serve, 15-all. And then a first proper glimpse of that beautiful backhand in full flow, as Gasquet swats away a winner. 30-15. 40-15. A great exchange on the next point, Gasquet gets a bit of luck when his shot clips the net and goes over, but Djokovic is on to it and puts away the volley. 40-30. Deuce, as Djokovic emerges victorious after a lengthy rally. Advantage Djokovic, break point. Gasquet gets in a good first serve, but Djokovic finds his way back into the point and takes it. And there’s the problem for Gasquet: how can he win these lengthier exchanges against the best battler in the business?
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First set: Djokovic 1-0 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Ready? Let’s play. Mr Djokovic won the toss and will serve first. The world No1 and defending champion misses his first serve, gets his second into play, and wins the point. As he does the second. And the third. 40-0. The pair engage in a longer rally on the fourth, and it’s Djokovic who stumbles first as he slams into the net. Gasquet chips and chops on the return, it bamboozles Djokovic, who prods long. 40-30. But Gasquet’s unable to recover to deuce. Game Djokovic.
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Tik! Tok! Tik! Tok! They’re warming up. And more on their head-to-head: their last meeting came at the French Open only last month. Gasquet won six games. Ouch.
Djokovic takes a swig of some radioactive-looking pink liquid, before waiting at the net for the coin toss. Gasquet arrives, the pair then attempt to out-stretch each other from opposite sides of the net, before jogging to the back of the court for the warm-up.
And here they come, a couple of minutes late, tssk.
Gasquet has combined 3-38 record vs Djoker, Rafa and Fedfan
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) July 10, 2015
Latest odds to win the men's title @Wimbledon Djoker 8-11 Muzzard 11-4, Fedfan 4-1, Gasquet 33-1
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) July 10, 2015
Royal Box watch. David Beckham’s finally vacated his seat today, kindly making space for Thierry Henry, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sachin Tendulkar, Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg, among others.
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The head-to-head shows the scale of the task Gasquet faces this afternoon. Djokovic has won 11 of their previous 12 meetings, with Gasquet’s only victory coming in 2007. Gasquet’s never taken a set off Djokovic at a grand slam.
Pre-match musings.
Gasquet:
Of course, it’s incredible player to face in semis to be in a grand slam final. It’s important for me to think I can win this match. That’s the most important. To go on the court and think you can win, it’s something I need to do it on my mental part, to be there to win. There are big players in the semis. I’m the worst when you see Federer, Djokovic and Murray and me.
Djokovic:
I think the biggest difference with Richard now, maybe comparing to the last couple years, is his fitness. I think he improved a lot. I heard he worked hard to get himself really fit and ready to go the distance, and it’s paying off. He always had a touch, he always had the talent. He loves playing on grass. I expect him to come out on the court wanting to win.
I know there are many other players that want this trophy as much as I do, so that fact encourages me even more, to work even harder. I’m going to keep on going. After losing Roland Garros final, it was not easy for me mentally to bounce back. So I think it’s great in a way that we only have a couple weeks later another grand slam, the biggest one. That’s why I put myself in a position to make myself responsible to be out here and fight.
I linked to this the other day but in case you missed it, here’s proof of just how good Gasquet was as a youngster. Both Gasquet and Rafa Nadal were 13 at the time.
Preamble
When a 21-year-old Richard Gasquet reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2007 it was assumed it would be the first of many. It wasn’t. Today’s semi-final will be his first here since that defeat to Roger Federer eight years ago and only his third at a grand slam, having reached the last four at the US Open in 2013.
So what happened to the player who, at the age of nine, was pictured on the front of France’s leading tennis magazine with the headline “The champion that France is waiting for?”, and was hailed as “Baby Federer” during the early years of his professional career? Despite possessing a one-handed backhand that could probably convert even the most hardened tennis disbeliever, Gasquet has lacked similar mental and physical attributes; his collapses from two sets to love up against Andy Murray in 2008 and 2010 being two cases in point.
But then on Wednesday the narrative changed. Gasquet defeated Stan Wawrinka, the French Open champion and last year’s Australian Open winner, 11-9 in a deciding set. He’d blinked under the pressure of serving for the match at 5-3, but he’d recovered to secure one of the biggest victories of his career.
Can one match make a man? At 29, perhaps it’s too late for Gasquet to fulfil his talent. But he proved many doubters wrong and probably even proved something to himself against Wawrinka. Even if he loses today against Novak Djokovic (which is the most likely outcome), hopefully what he’ll take from this Wimbledon is self-belief. It’s something Djokovic, of course, has in spades.
The players will be on court at: 1pm BST. Don’t be late.
