By:Jens
2009-10-14

Andy Murray may be standing on the brink of history for himself and the Wimbledon crowd desperate to see a home boy win the major title but Roger Federer stands on the brink of sporting history which will eclipse virtually any other sports story this summer.

Yes, even in a spell where footballers are going for money that would end third world debt, Roger Federer has the opportunity to stand alone as the tennis player who has won the most Grand Slam events of all time. Currently standing on 14 with Pete Sampras, two more wins at Wimbledon will see Federer crowned as the most successful Men’s Singles Grand Slam player of all time and there is a steely determination that may just be enough to see him through.

Yes, the absence of Nadal through injury is helping Federer, as it did when it played an impact on the way the French Open tournament panned out but there can be no doubt that Federer remains one of the most impressive tennis players of all time and even in defeat at last years Wimbledon final, he showed skill, strength and dignity. This year is not just a way to allow Federer to write his name in the history books, it is a way to show that he can bounce back from such a monumental occasion. Few will forget last years final but if the favourite players in this years semi-finals can make it to Sundays final, the showcase may eclipse even last years event.

The consistency shown by Federer in his three set win over Ivo Karlovic indicates he is still on course for glory in London this summer. It was a tough match but given that some pundits were tipping an upset, the fact that Federer sailed through relatively untroubled will only strengthen the confidence the man must undoubtedly feel when he takes the court. In fact, if there was an upset at the quarter final stage at Wimbledon it came when Tommy Haas overcame Novak Djokovic to face the mighty Swiss player in the semis.

Haas had never made it beyond the fourth round before and many expected the quarter final to be his last match of the tournament but he is back on court today, and who knows, maybe even on Sunday? That would be one of the biggest tennis upsets of all time and it isn’t likely that Haas will overcome Federer but anything can happen and how confident must Haas be feeling at the moment.It is not a case of trying to impose himself on Federer but merely trying to keep up with him and then see what occurs.

The pressure levels on both players are so markedly different that it is not inconceivable that something strange may occur. Both players will want to win but for Haas, the expectations are low, whereas Federer will have a lot to contend with, which could make it hard to call. Then again, if Federer comes out and plays his natural game, it is likely that it could all be over in three sets but the beauty of sport is that sometimes results come out of the blue and this may be one of those times.