Novak Djokovic vs. Kevin Anderson – Second Round Preview: Wimbledon Championships 2011
Serbian juggernaut Novak Djokovic takes on the South African giant Kevin Anderson in their second round match at the 2011 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England on Thursday, 23rd
June.
An almost unstoppable force this season, Djokovic boasts an almost perfect 42-1 win loss mark. Starting his year at the Grand Slam Down Under, the Australian Open, the Serb undid Swiss maestro Roger Federer in the semis before
doing away with top Brit Andy Murray in the title match to clinch his second career Grand Slam title. However, this was not the pinnacle of Djokovic’s season, as it might have been for most players.
Only starting his ascent, Djokovic moved on ahead to win six more titles defeating Federer or reigning world number one Rafael Nadal in most of the title matches. Starting tour at Dubai, Djokovic defeated Federer to win the title.
He then went on ahead to win four Masters Series titles, winning them at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Rome. Djokovic defeated Nadal in all of these finals. He also managed a title win on his home event, the Serbia Open.
Like all good things, Djokovic’s forty one match winning streak came to an end in the semi-final of the 2011 Roland Garros when he lost to old man Federer, falling two matches short of beating Mc Enroe’s record of most straight
wins in a season.
Down but not out, Djokovic comes to his eighth Wimbledon with high hopes of another Grand Slam win for the season. Sporting a 25-7 win loss record here, Djokovic has never made it past the semi-final here, reaching his career best
in 2007-08 and then again in 2010. His 42nd win for the season came in the first round when he steamrollered Jeremy Chardy in straight sets.
Next to Djokovic’s “awesome” season, Anderson’s season run pales in comparison. However, the comparatively novice on tour, Anderson is not without his accolades for the season. With a total of 22-15 for the season, the 6ft 8in
South African’s season best came at his home event in Johannesburg when he made it all the way to the finals and won the title defeating Somdev Devvarman.
An amateur at the Wimbledon grass courts, Anderson is playing in only his fourth year here though he had never made it past the first round. Although he achieved a new career best this time around, facing the inform Serb, second
round might be just as far as he goes.
This will be the pair’s fourth meeting ever on tour with Djokovic leading the head-to-head 2-1. Although Anderson enjoyed a win over the Serb back in 2008, their most recent meetings have been somewhat of a disappointment. Meeting
twice in 2011, Djoker was able to destroy Anderson in straight sets, first in Miami and then in Madrid.
Prediction: Although a previous win over the Serb may put some confidence in the South African, Djoker’s recent successes mark him as the clear favourite for the contest. The Serb is expected to move past Anderson
in straight sets with minimal resistance.
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