Roger Federer takes on Mikhail Youzhny in the quarterfinals on
Wednesday, the 4th July. They have met thirteen times and Federer
never had any difficulty in coming out victorious. Can Youzhny pull it off the
fourteenth time?
Federer had back trouble in his previous match against Xavier Malisse
and had to take treatment inside during the first set itself. He has a rest day
on Tuesday. Youzhny was taken to five sets by Denis Istomin in the fourth round
and he too will benefit from the rest day. In spite of the back trouble,
Federer had no trouble against Malisse who appeared handcuffed by the defeatist
attitude throughout. He belongs to that era when opponents felt defeated even before
stepping into the court against Federer. After nine straight defeats, he had a
chance to turn it round against a less than fit Federer. He put on a lackluster
performance on the centre court. Youzhny also belongs to the same era. He, like
Federer, is thirty years of age. He too is single fisted backhander like
Federer. He plays the same way as Federer, only a level below. There is no shot
or any aspect of game in which he excels Federer. There was a time when
spectators did not come to see as to who between Federer and the challenger will
win, but to see what fight the challenger would give before losing. It might
turn out to be a similar story this time. Youzhny cannot do a Lukas Rosol since
he does not have any weapon to do that. Even if he becomes as much inspired, he
can at best take a set.
If Youzhny has to win, Federer will have to be either unfit or play at
half his potential. Otherwise, we can presume that Federer already has a leg in
the semi-finals.
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