The final is set on the Gentlemen's side of the 2011 Championships. It got there in a roundabout sort of way, but it's here. Perhaps the best player not to have been talked about during the fortnight, Novak Djokovic, defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a captivating 4 set match. Rafael Nadal, for his sake, defeated Brit Andy Murray in a less than thrilling four-setter match to reach his second consecutive Wimbledon final. With Djokovic's win, he will become world number one on Monday when the new rankings come out. This will be the first player not named Nadal or Federer to become number one since Andy Roddick in 2003. We'll have more about that in future posts, but after the jump we'll look at each match individually.
Rafael Nadal def. Andy Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4
In the preview, I wrote that the first set would be crucial for Andy Murray's chances to win this match. For a set and three games, I looked like a blogging genius and, more importantly, Andy Murray looked like man possessed. He was moving Nadal around the court, punishing him, hitting winners, and not allowing Nadal to get his rhythm. It was all holds until Nadal got broken at 5-6 to end the set, and for the first three games of the second set, Murray continued on this hot streak. Nadal was serving at 1-2, 15-30, and Murray had an easy forehand putaway right near the net. He hit it well long and from that point on, his confidence looked shattered. His level of play dropped sharply, and Nadal seemed to raise his a bit. Nadal didn't start playing exceptionally better right away, but from that moment on, the outcome was never in doubt. Nadal ran away with the second and third sets, winning both by a score of 6-2. The fourth set was routine, with Nadal breaking Murray in his first service game and holding every game after that. It is quite remarkable that at the highest level of tennis, only a slight difference in play can make all the difference. For the final three sets, Murray started missing quite often, and instead of his shots landing near the baseline with pace, they landed short. Nadal was able to begin to push Murray around, and from that point on, Murray had no answer.
Novak Djokovic def. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (4) 6-2, 6-7 (9), 6-3
This match was first on Centre Court, and for the first two games, Djokovic looked like he hadn't quite woken up yet. He got broken immediately by Tsonga, and Tsonga used his excellent serve to take it to 5-4. Unfortunately for Tsonga, Djokovic raised his game and broke Tsonga. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic again raised his game and won two points off Tsonga's serve, winning the tiebreaker 7-4. You could see Tsonga's composure drop immediately afterwards, and Djokovic surged to a 6-2 set win. It looked like this match would be over, especially when Djokovic served at 4-3 in the third. Tsonga would no go quitely, however, and broke his serve. The tiebreak was an instant classic, with Tsonga winning 11-9 after some incredible tennis from both players. As seemed to be the pattern, however, Djokovic broke Tsonga right away and this time, Tsonga couldn't break back. The match was over and Tsonga's incredible run ended. I had noted in the write-up about the previous match how little things make all the difference at the highest level, and this match proved that to win the majors, you have to play consistently at the highest level possible. Tsonga couldn't do that today, as noted by his ups and downs in the match. He produced some amazing tennis, and he certainly got Djokovic flustered at times, but Djokovic's play remained too high and too consistent for Tsonga. For his part, the Frenchman noted this himself after the match. Nevertheless, it was very dramatic, and a great display of athleticism, shot-making, and heart. Djokovic now becomes world number one on Monday regardless of the outcome on Sunday, but before that he plays Nadal in the final, the first since he began this incredible run.
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