Federer dispatches Murray, books final date with Djokovic

LONDON (AP) When Roger Federer faces Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final for the second consecutive year on Sunday, they’ll be resuming a rivalry that has been about as even as possible.

Gasquet saved two match points to hold serve and stay within 5-4 in the third set, but Djokovic served out the match at love in the next game, closing with a forehand victor.

“We don’t sleep together, so I heard that from him once, but I can’t say how many sleepless nights”.

“My serve was good again, against one of the best returners”.

“So when I actually have achieved it for the first time and won the trophy back in 2011, it was a dream come true”. “The way that it worked out today, I mean, the guy served unbelievable”.

Federer had been broken just once en route to his 10th appearance in the final four, and it was his pin-point accurate serving that was the foundation of his semifinal win. I had to save breakpoint first, then I was able to start rolling on my serve.

As I said, it was very close, but that was probably the turning point.

Federer has a 20-19 winning record over Djokovic but they are 6-6 in the majors.

It is an honour to play in the Wimbledon final – the most watched tennis match in the world.

In Friday’s semifinals, Murray got a taste of just how well the seemingly ageless Federer still can play – and, in particular, serve. The pressure builds throughout the set that way. “I didn’t really have any opportunities”. The 10th game of the second set perfectly crystallized what Murray was up against, as he faced no less than five break points in a riveting game that lasted 14 minutes before the Scotsman finally prevailed to tie up at 5-5.

Murray had been widely regarded to be playing the best tennis of his career – an assessment which the Scotsman shared.

Federer was superb on Centre Court, holding serve easily in nearly every game and breaking Murray at the end of each set.

The defending champion beat Richard Gasquet 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4 Friday on Centre Court to make his way into the championship match at the All England Club for the third straight year.

“It’s his court”, said Djokovic, who will seek to join his coach Boris Becker on three Wimbledon titles. For No. 21 Gasquet, the loss ended his hopes of reaching his first ever final at a major.

Djokovic was twice treated by a trainer on his left shoulder near the end of the second set.

“It’s nothing that worries me, honestly”, Djokovic said.

“Just received some changeover treatment – it’s nothing major that concerns me for the next match”, Djokovic said.

In a move that was a little like the sun setting in the east, John McEnroe admitted he was wrong in saying Rafael Nadal was the best tennis player of all time.

“I was screaming inside of myself”, said Federer. “I will be ready for it”. “He never missed. That’s why he’s number one in the world”.

The 33-year-old Swiss has defied those who dared to write him off when he lost last year’s final to the Serb in five gruelling sets.

The good news for the Murray family is that Jamie Murray plays in the men’s doubles final, targeting that silverware for his second Wimbledon title, after a mixed success with Jelena Jankovic eight years ago.