Friday, July 6, 2012

147932464_crop_exact Clive Rose/Getty Images

There has been plenty of talk over the past couple of years that Roger Federer would never be able to add to his record total of 16 Grand Slam titles, but after taking care of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the 2012 Wimbledon semifinals, Fed is just one win away from his seventh Wimbledon championship.

Federer's victory was surprisingly tidy (6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3) despite the fact that Djokovic has been a dominant force in tennis over the past two years. He has been Federer's main nemesis during that time.

Rafael Nadal has won the French Open in each of the last two years, but Djokovic won the other three Grand Slams in 2011, as well as the Australian Open this year.

It was beginning to look like Djokovic was unbeatable on grass and hard courts, but Federer channeled some of his past Wimbledon greatness on Friday.

Federer hasn't won a Grand Slam since the 2010 Australian Open, and although he is just 30 years of age, many have wondered whether the Swiss star's best days are behind him.

There is no question that Federer isn't as dominant as he once was, but he proved against Djokovic that he still has plenty left in the tank.

A title isn't guaranteed for Federer, as he still has one more hurdle to clear, but he will be the favorite against the winner of the other semifinal between Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Many consider Federer to be the best grass-court player of all-time, although Pete Sampras is certainly in the conversation as well। Now that Federer has vanquished Djokovic and doesn't have to deal with Nadal, he may very well set himself apart on Sunday.



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