Too Much for Tomic

This was the one quarter final that experts had decided would be a straightforward straight sets win to Novak Djokovic, and the reasons were hard to dispute. His opponent had exceeded all expectations to achieve the final eight at Wimbledon after being perilously close to elimination in first qualifying. Teenagers in Wimbledon semi finals are a handful including Becker, McEnroe and Cash, so it is rarified air that Tomic would be breathing and his tennis career is not as advanced as those esteemed names were at the same age.

Then there is the Djokovic factor. The Serb had won 45 of 46 matches this year coming into the quarter final against the Aussie, so that is a stack of match winning confidence to draw on.

Well we, my pint of Fosters and me, began viewing this match after BBC crossed from the Centre Court match and Tomic had been predictably taken to the cleaners 6-2 in the first set by Djokovic. So this would be wrapped up pretty smartly and we could proceed to Rafa and Mardy. However, 18 year olds can be precocious and young Bernard turned his fortunes around with a mature display of tennis in the second set, pouncing on a number of unexpected Serbian stuff ups. Even in the tight moments, the nerve held strong and Tomic served the set out 6-3 and tie things.

OK so he snuck one set. Now he can finish and fly back. No? He wasn't finished just yet - immediately Tomic broke in the third set and after a fantastic service hold for 3-1, seemed on track for a two sets to one lead. Here things went extremely pear shaped for the Queenslander. Novak became a mere spectator just hitting occasional tennis balls as he watched his opponent self destruct, losing five successive games, the set and all the momentum that he'd worked so hard to gain.

With the early service break in the fourth set, Novak was set to finish this off quickly, but once again the kid hit back, and returned a break of his own. The players fought through close games right to the end but it was Djokovic who managed to edge ahead with the final break at 5-5, and win the right to play Tsonga 6-2 3-6 6-3 7-5

So not the chance for Novak's revenge against Roger for the Paris episode, but a quality semi final with a red hot Frenchman upcoming. Meanwhile Tomic's Wimbledon should be applauded roundly.