Who could have won Wimbledon 2011: Roger Federer – Part 3
The third part in the series talks about the Swiss maestro, Roger Federer. Winner of six Wimbledon titles, Federer was a strong contender for the title. Previous parts dealt with Andy Murray (http://www.senore.com/Who-could-have-won-Wimbledon-2011-Tomas-Berdych-and-Jo-Wilfried-Tsonga-Part-1-a80541)
2. Roger Federer
This list can be never be completed without including Roger Federer, regarded as the best tennis player in the history of the sport by many. Federer is among title contenders whenever he enters the lush green grass courts of Wimbledon. The Swiss heads the list of all time leading grand slam champions with sixteen. Federer had been world’s top player for a record 237 consecutive weeks and 285 weeks overall, only one short of Pete Sampras’ record of 186.
It was Federer who ended Sampras’ eight year dominance at the Wimbledon, beating the American in the fourth round in 2001. The Swiss took over from Sampras as the King of the championships at displayed sheer dominance in the first decade of the 21st century. He has six Wimbledon titles to his name, with five of them coming in consecutive years from 2003-07 and the sixth one in 2009. Federer beat Mark Philippoussis of Australia in straight sets 7-6(5), 6-2, 7-6(3) in the final to win his maiden title here in 2003. The victory over Philippoussis started Federer’s era. The Swiss defeated Andy Roddick in the final in 2004-05 and Rafael Nadal in 2006 and 07’s title match. In an encounter, which is regarded as the best tennis match ever by legends of the sport, Federer was dethroned by Nadal in five gruelling sets 4-6, 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(8), 7-9 in the final in 2008. However, like a true champion, the Swiss came back and defeated Roddick in another great match 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(5), 3-6, 16-14 to win his latest Wimbledon title in 2009.
Federer did not participate in any grass court warm up event for Wimbledon but he had recently featured in the final at the French Open, losing to clay court king Nadal in four thrilling sets. The Swiss had regained form at the right time for Wimbledon. The right-handed defeated unbeatable looking Djokovic in four sets 7-6(5), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5) in the semi-finals at the Roland Garros, ending the Serb’s 43 match winning streak.
The Swiss was placed again in Djokovic’s draw at the Wimbledon and another exciting meet up was expected in the semi-finals. Federer thrashed old rival David Nalbandian of Argentina in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in the third round. The Basel born overcame the challenge of Mikhail Youzhny in four sets 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the last eight. However, in the quarterfinals, the Swiss was overpowered in five sets 6-3, 7-6(3), 4-6, 4-6, 4-6.
The series conclude in http://www.senore.com/Who-could-have-won-Wimbledon-2011-Rafael-Nadal-Part-4-a80545.
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