IT'S FEDERER OR MURRAY !

Well, well, well !!!!

For the first time in 74 years there will be a British man in the final of the Wimbledon Mens' Singles Championship. Somehow, Andy Murray has made it through, beating Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in the second of today's semi-finals.

In truth, Tsonga seemed to be all at sea in the first 2 sets and Murray gained a 2 set lead in little more than an hour; it was only then that the Frenchman woke up and the match became a more equal affair. Murray actually had a poor spell at the start of the third set which Tsonga won, and the fourth set was tightly fought until Tsonga lost his serve at the death and Murray was into the final. This was not the best of matches but then it was a semi-final, which must have caused plenty of nerves for both players. 

Despite his historic achievement, Murray's after match interview was every bit as dull and boring as usual. He claimed to be excited while speaking in his normal monotone and showing no actual emotion at all; his comments were his usual inanities, though to be fair the questions were the usual inane ones too, while he continues with his annoying habit of repeatedly stroking his hand over his hair and round his neck - anyone would think that the boy had fleas. While his tennis achievements can't be denigrated, I really do wish this young man would gain a personality.

In the final, Murray will meet the rather unexpected winner of the other semi-final. Most people probably thought that the defending champion, Novak Djokovic, would win this one but, in the end, it was 6-time champion Roger Federer who proved the stronger of these two titans. The Swiss superstar started like a train and raced to the first set with barely a false stroke; the second set was a virtual mirror image, with Djokovic gaining an early break to eventually level the match. The third set saw the best and most closely fought tennis of the match, with Federer finally prevailing after some superb play, and Djokovic then seemed to lose some of his zip as the match moved towards its end. The Serb conceded a break early in the fourth set and was never able to get back on terms, in fact he looked more in danger of losing his service again. Federer's ultimate victory, which sees him get a place in a record eighth Wimbledon mens' final, was thoroughly well deserved and his post-match interview was a total contrast to that of Murray. Federer actually smiled and talked with some animation; the man is genuinely excited about being in another final and it showed.

Federer versus Murray; which way will it go ? Federer has been, quite possibly, the greatest man ever to wield a tennis racket, but he is now a year or 3 passed his best. Murray is a fighter who wears his heart on his sleeve; he is undoubtedly a very good player, but he is not a great one. If both play as they have done so far in this tournament, Federer will win. If Federer is not quite at his best, Murray may squeak through. 

Ya' pays ya' money and makes ya' choice.