And so Roger Federer continues, inexorably, on his merry Wimbledon way. In recent years, when Federer has clearly been more vulnerable in SW19 than he was in his heyday, there has been a tendency among some observers to ignore the evidence before their eyes and continue to wax lyrical about the Swiss. This year, every accolade is throughly deserved. This is the best tennis he has played since he last won here three years ago, and he surely has a real chance of making it through to a 10th final a week tomorrow. We shall see. In the meantime, thanks for reading and don’t forget to check in with us later for live coverage of Andy Murray’s clash with Andreas Seppi.
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“I’m very pleased with the first week,” Federer continues, adding that it’s “obviously special” to play on Centre Court in front of the sporting glitterati assembled in the royal box. I’m pretty sure the honour was all theirs, Roger.
“He’s dangerous on any surface, but even more so on the grass,” reflects Federer of his opponent after sauntering off Centre Court with a wave and a smile. “I needed to focus on my own service games and I did that very well. I’m very happy.”
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Federer wins the fourth set and the match, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-2!
Fourth set: Federer 6-2 Groth* (sets 2-1) Stretched this way and that at the net, Groth is passed at 15-30 to bring up two match points for Federer. The Swiss makes no mistake, nailing a return to the Aussie’s feet. It’s too hot for Groth to handle, and that’s Federer through to the second week at Wimbledon. Again.
Fourth set: Federer* 5-2 Groth (sets 2-1) At 30-30, Groth looks to have a possible route back into this. Once again, though, he is impaled on the twin spikes of Federer’s excellence and his own inconsistency. A Federer ace flies past the Aussie, who then sends a forehand long to fall 5-2 behind. He’ll have to serve to stay in the match.
Fourth set: Federer 4-2 Groth* (sets 2-1) With his cap on back to front, Groth looks a bit like an oversized Lleyton Hewitt. And how he must wish he had his fellow countryman’s solidity from the back of the court. The Aussie has made way too many errors today. Still, he stands firm here to stay in touch … just about.
Fourth set: Federer* 4-1 Groth (sets 2-1) Federer is racing away with this set now. Another service game goes by in a flash, and it’s hard to see things getting away from him again in this match.
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Fourth set: Federer 3-1 Groth* (sets 2-1) “Sorry mate,” says Groth, catching the ball after his service toss goes awry at 40-15. And Groth has reason to feel sorry, too – mainly for himself after conceding that early break. Normal service is resumed here, but how costly that lapse may prove.
Fourth set: Federer* 3-0 Groth (sets 2-1) The expectation going into this match was that Groth would look to get to the net at every available opportunity. That ploy was expected to include chipping and charging against Federer’s second serve, but that’s easier said than done. The Swiss has been unassailable on both deliveries, finding a perfect blend of pace, depth and direction. He reproduces that recipe again to claim another straightforward hold, and Groth is really staring down the barrel now.
Fourth set: Federer 2-0 Groth* (sets 2-1) Oh dear. A lamentable forehand volley at deuce sees Groth cough up an early break point. What does he do then? He only goes and misses a first serve. And then compounds it by sending the second ball to the Federer forehand. It’s a fatal combination of circumstances, and the Swiss extracts maximum advantage, steering his forehand return for a winner. What a shame for Groth, who quickly falls back into the pattern of the opening two sets by conceding an early break.
Fourth set: Federer* 1-0 Groth (sets 2-1) Well, well, well. Who saw that coming? Not Federer, surely, who must be wondering why he’s not back in the locker room after making just seven unforced errors all afternoon and barely wavering on his service, which remains unbroken. But grass-court tennis is all about fine margins, and – after some enterprising play from Groth, who has belatedly discovered a better level of consistency – a fourth set it is. Federer makes a good start to it, too, finessing a backhand volley into Groth’s forehand corner to clinch a love game.
Groth wins the third set 7-6 (7-5)!
Third set: Federer 6-7 (5-7) Groth (sets 2-0) It’s nip and tuck as the first five points go with serve. A thunderous ace from Groth that carries him to 3-2 is the highlight of that sequence, but Federer is nothing if not obdurate. A gripping rally that ends with a successful Federer foray to the net ensures they’re level pegging at the change of ends. Then, though, something extraordinary happens – certainly within the context of this match, at least. Federer double-faults. Yes, you read that correctly. It’s his first double-fault of the match, and Groth takes full advantage, some fine volleying behind his own serve carrying him to 6-3. Three set points for the Aussie! Predictably, Federer claws back the first two behind his own serve. But on the third, Groth makes his way in to the net behind a big serve to the backhand. Federer slices the return, and Groth punches the ball into the open court. The ball seems to hang in the air for interminable seconds. Then, Federer is on it, lining up a forehand pass down the line. He can’t miss. Can he? He does, the ball drifting centimetres wide. That’s the third set to Groth and how richly deserved it was.
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Third set: Federer* 6-6 Groth (sets 2-0) Slight signs of uncertainty from Federer at last, as a scorching forehand winner from Groth gives the Aussie a platform against the former champion’s delivery for the first time in the match. Twice Federer is fortunate to find the baseline with his forehand, but a rare journey to deuce is not enough to undo the Swiss. He seals the hold with an ace and we’re in for a tie-break.
Third set: Federer 5-6 Groth* (sets 2-0) Groth’s improvement at the net has been a major factor in his ability to stay with Federer in this set. At 30-30, he again stands firm in the forecourt against a barrage of Federer groundstrokes, setting up a game point that he converts with another monster of a serve. Interesting times.
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Third set: Federer* 5-5 Groth (sets 2-0) They used to say Bjorn Borg had ice in his veins. Federer is of similar ilk. Serving to stay in the third set, he refuses to be ruffled by a huge return from Groth, a searing backhand struck deep into Federer’s backhand corner. He seals the game to 15 and the onus is once again on the Aussie to hold.
Third set: Federer 4-5 Groth* (sets 2-0) A dipping forehand down the middle of the court that seems to go right through Groth, a rapier-like cross-court backhand return, and suddenly the Australian finds himself in real trouble on serve for the first time in this set. He claws his way back to 30-30 by backing up some fine serving with solid play from the net, but his problems don’t stop there. A quite wonderful forehand pass from Federer, flicked cross-court at an acute angle, brings up break point, but Groth once again rescues his cause with some excellent play in the forecourt. He clinches the game with a belter of an ace. Hats off to the Aussie, he’s really battling now.
Third set: Federer* 4-4 Groth (sets 2-0) Given the faintest glimmer of a chance against the Federer serve when he finds himself in a rally at 15-15, Groth once again breaks down from the back. He simply lacks the power and nous to trouble the Swiss from the baseline. The opportunity snuffed out, Federer quickly concludes another comfortable hold.
Third set: Federer 3-4 Groth* (sets 2-0) Credit to Groth, he really is hanging in there. Stretched hither and thither at the net on the opening point, he is inevitably passed. But he recovers to seal the game with a crisp forehand volley, and Federer will know that he can’t afford to drop serve in the next game.
Third set: Federer*3-3 Groth (sets 2-0) Groth really hasn’t found his range at all from the baseline today, a problem emphasised when he sends an eminently makeable forehand long to fall 30-0 behind. You simply can’t afford that kind of error against Federer, and it’s no surprise when, a couple of points later, the Swiss sends down another ace to hold to love.
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Third set: Federer 2-3 Groth* (sets 2-0) Four points played, four points won, and how Groth must have loved that. Anything you can do, Roger. Except break, of course. Bah.
Third set: Federer* 2-2 Groth (sets 2-0) More frustration for Groth on the return as Federer strolls to another love game. The Aussie must be seriously considering whether it’s even worth bothering to get out of his chair at the change of ends when the former champion is serving.
Third set: Federer 1-2 Groth* (sets 2-0) At 30-30, a searing backhand drive volley from Federer draws an audible gasp from the Centre Court crowd. It might also have drawn a sigh of resignation from Groth. But to his credit, the big Aussie refuses to let his head go down and his determination is rewarded when he gets back into the game with some more ferocious serving before sealing the hold with a sidespun forehand volley that is almost Federeresque in its delicacy. Lovely stuff from Groth.
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Third set: Federer* 1-1 Groth (sets 2-0) No sign of let-up from Federer, who races through another service game. His authority on serve in this match has been positively Sampras-like.
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Third set: Federer 0-1 Groth* (sets 2-0) Groth desperately needs a foothold in this match, and – after conceding early breaks in each of the first two sets – a solid opening game is the way to go about it. A magnificent low forehand volley, struck beautifully into the open court, carries him to 40-15. He briefly wavers with a wayward backhand volley, but clinches the game with an ace to go ahead in this set. And at this stage, that must feel good.
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Federer wins the second set 6-4
Second set: Federer* 6-4 Groth (sets 1-0) Aces six, seven and eight – with a poor return from Groth amid it all – ensure the game goes by in a blur. Groth must feel the match is doing much the same. Federer has won 92% of the points on his first serve and 80% on the second. Those are truly awesome stats and they go a long way to explaining why he’s now two sets to the good.
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Second set: Federer 5-4 Groth* (sets 1-0) Groth holds to 15, clinching the game with a meaty overhead that must have felt mighty good. And with Federer about to serve for a two-set lead, any feelgood factor he can come by will be thoroughly welcome. Can he finally make an impression against the Federer serve? We’ll soon find out …
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Second set: Federer* 5-3 Groth (sets 1-0) As the hour mark approaches, Federer – who is unbroken at the tournament and has faced only two break points – moves to within a game of a two-set lead after holding to 15.
Second set: Federer 4-3 Groth* (sets 1-0) A quick game by Groth, who holds to love and is starting to look comfortable on serve again. How he needs to make that a recurring pattern in this match.
Second set: Federer* 4-2 Groth (sets 1-0) If you’re looking for indicators as to why this match is going so decisively in Federer’s favour, there are a few to choose from. Federer has made just four unforced errors so far. He has been relentless on serve. And going into this match, Groth had won just 46% of points played from the baseline – a place he has found himself far too often this afternoon.
Second set: Federer 3-2 Groth* (sets 1-0) My, my, twice Federer fluffs it in this game. First he topspins a wild backhand drive volley beyond the baseline. Then he misses a simple backhand down the line after bamboozling Groth with a wickedly backspun drive. The Swiss is human after all. It’s enough to give Groth the platform for a love game, and a much-needed breather to plot a course back into this match.
Second set: Federer* 3-1 Groth (sets 1-0) Another love game for Federer, who has now won 96% of the points played on his serve. Ouch.
Second set: Federer 2-1 Groth* (sets 1-0) Groth holds, but already it may be too little, too late in terms of this set. The challenge for the Aussie is clear: find a way to get the Federer serve back in play or go home.
Second set: Federer* 2-0 Groth (sets 1-0) For all Groth’s power, the Federer serve has been the most effective on show by a distance. He consolidates the break with an easy hold. Along the way, he hits the deftest of sliced backhands, the ball tenderly kissing the turf and staying low to leave Groth flailing at thin air.
Second set: Federer 1-0 Groth* (sets 1-0) Only Jimmy Connors, who played 102 matches at Wimbledon, has more experience at the All England Club than Roger Federer. That history showed in the first set, and it shows again here. Groth desperately needed a solid start to this set. Instead, he double-faults at 30-30 and Federer accepts the invitation gleefully, lunging to his right to find an unlikely angle on his forehand return. He’s a set and a break to the good now.
Federer wins the first set 6-4
First set: Federer* 6-4 Groth (*denotes server) Groth struck 10 aces in that set, but it’s Federer’s second ace that looks more significant, ushering the Swiss on his way to another love service game. That’s the first set in the bag and a perfect demonstration that, so long as you can hold your own on serve, it only takes one break to win a set – no matter how big your opponent’s delivery.
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First set: Federer 5-4 Groth* (*denotes server) Mentality is everything when facing a colossal server, and Federer’s is spot on here. There are times when you just have to accept there’s nothing you can do, and the Swiss does just that, smiling ruefully as a Groth delivery whistles by at 30-15. The Aussie holds to stay in touch, but it’s Federer who will serve for the set.
First set: Federer* 5-3 Groth (*denotes server) A textbook lesson from Groth in how not to break serve: don’t get a single return back in court. Federer holds to love and, if the pattern of this game is repeated, this could be over very quickly. What was that I said about chances being few and far between for Federer?
First set: Federer 4-3 Groth* (*denotes server) Groth holds from 0-30, and that’ll be a big relief. Though he hasn’t played on Centre Court before, he did face Federer at the US Open last year, losing in straight sets. Given the ferocity of his serve, his prospects on grass should be better. Should be.
First set: Federer* 4-2 Groth (*denotes server) The reference point for Sam Groth in this match is Federer’s second-round defeat to the 116th-ranked Sergiy Stakhovsky two years ago. Stakhovsky, a fellow serve-volleyer, sustained an admirable level of consistency that day, and that’s an area the Aussie will need to improve quickly if he is to have a shot at victory here. There’s no sign of that so far, though, as Federer eases to another comfortable hold.
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First set: Federer 3-2 Groth* (*denotes server) Slowly but surely, Federer is beginning to get a read on the Groth serve. He connects with a beauty of a backhand at 30-15, sending the ball beyond the onrushing Aussie before he has even arrived at the net. Groth responds with another booming ace, but at 40-30 Federer produces a magical running forehand, flicked cross court while running at full pelt. A surprised Groth nets his forehand volley – who wouldn’t, faced by such a shot? – and it’s not long before he finds himself facing a first break point. He saves it, predictably, with a massive serve wide to the Federer backhand, and follows up with a sixth ace. But the former champion is really testing Groth at the net, and the Australian’s volleys aren’t holding firm. Another break point comes and goes, but a game of several deuces concludes with a netted backhand volley from the big man and suddenly Federer is a game to the good.
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First set: Federer* 2-2 Groth (*denotes server) Forget all the number crunching, though, because while Federer may be less spectacular on serve, his is nonetheless one of the game’s great deliveries. That’s another easy hold for the Swiss, who won’t be the only one out there puzzling over how to make an impression on the return.
First set: Federer 1-2 Groth* (*denotes server) Like I said, Groth is just getting loose. Another comfortable hold is punctuated by a 147mph ace that Federer sees but simply can’t react to in time. That was the fastest serve in the world this year, apparently – 2mph faster than a delivery by Milos Raonic, the previous holder of that record. Cue a sharp intake of breath from the Centre Court crowd.
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First set: Federer* 1-1 Groth (*denotes server) Of course, Federer is no slouch in the service department either. As if to underline the point, he makes a comfortable start, holding to love as Groth makes an error from the back. Just as well, too, because it’s hard to imagine he’ll have many chances to break in this match.
First set: Federer 0-1 Groth* (*denotes server) Groth opens the match on serve, and what a serve it is. At an ATP challenger event in Busan three years ago, he hit the fastest delivery on record, a 163mph howitzer that must have had all present running for cover. A few on Centre Court will be contemplating a similar move after this game, too, which he holds to love with a 142mph ace. Watch out, Roger: he’s still loosening up.
Regardless of what happens on Centre Court this afternoon, Groth will look back on Wimbledon 2015 with fondness. For starters, it’s the first time he has qualified for the tournament by virtue of his world ranking. Three times before the man from New South Wales has lost in qualifying, falling in round one at Roehampton in 2009 before getting one stage further in 2013 and reaching round three last year. But after rising from outside the top 100 to No69 over the past 12 months, there was no trip to the Bank of England Sports Ground this year. And he hasn’t just made up the numbers. Groth beat the highly-rated American Jack Sock in the opening round – the 31st seed, no less – and followed that up with an emotional win over James Duckworth, a fellow Aussie and close friend with whom he is sharing digs during the tournament.
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The players have just walked on to Centre Court and are warming up. What an occasion for Sam Groth. A year ago he was ranked outside the top 100. Now here he is playing a tennis legend at one of the great sporting citadels. To top it all, it’s a beautiful sunny afternoon. That’ll make the big Aussie feel at home, and no mistake.
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We should be underway in the not too distant future. For now, the 1976 French Open champion Sue Barker – well, that’s how I like to think of her at any rate – is introducing the Centre Court crowd to a few famous faces in the Royal Box. It’s sportsman’s Saturday at Wimbledon, and the occasion is living up to its billing: there’s the British long-distance runner Jo Pavey, the former England footballer Gary Lineker (obviously), the British boxer Nicola Adams, the British Paralympian David Weir, Andrew Strauss, Geoffrey Boycott, James Anderson and a whole lot more. Their presence should stoke the atmosphere nicely.
Preamble
Good afternoon and welcome. As Roger Federer continues his quest for an eighth Wimbledon title against the powerful Aussie Sam Groth this afternoon, it’s tempting to speculate on what the Swiss might do were he to find himself parading that glittering golden Challenge Cup around Centre Court a week on Sunday. He said on the eve of the tournament that retirement is not in his thoughts, insisting that he was looking no further than adding an 18th major bauble to a trophy cabinet long overladen with silverware. One thing of which we can be certain is that Federer will spend more time working with his foundation, which supports education projects for children living in poverty. But might a final hurrah on one of the game’s greatest stages have the same effect that victory at the 2002 US Open had on Pete Sampras, gently ushering one of the sport’s greats into retirement? Or would the eighth Wimbledon title that would take him past Sampras and William Renshaw, the pair with whom he is currently tied on seven wins, simply encourage him to continue? Time will tell. For now, though, Federer has more pressing matters at hand. Groth is not a player to be underestimated, and this contest should get the Centre Court crowd buzzing ahead of Andy Murray’s teatime showdown with Italy’s Andreas Seppi.
