Favourites hard to beat at Wimbledon 2015

As highly likely as there will be many upsets thrown up at Wimbledon this year, according to rankings at least, the final days are just as probably going to be populated with the favourites in the men's draw.

I cannot see the top four seeds being beaten en route to the semis - troubled at times, but not defeated.

The women's contest however is not so predictable, apart maybe from Serena Williams, if switched on to her task.

Serena is determined to brush off her last two years efforts on the hallowed grass with a win to complete a second Serena Slam, and her draw is favourable for completion of that goal.

Ivanovic and Sharapova are prospective quarter and semi final hurdles, and the only player to have beaten her this year, Kvitova, would need to reach the final to have a chance of stopping the five time champ.

For Sharapova to challenge in the semis, she may well have to first see off a Czech opponent, either her vanquisher from Roland Garros last month, Safarova, or the fast improving Pliskova.  I fancy that Safarova may repeat her French Open heroics and meet Williams in one semi final.

The other semi is even more challenging to predict.  Ordinarily, second seed and defending champion Kvitova would be an automatic choice to fill one spot, but she is not 100% coming into the tournament.  I still favour her to manage her way through the early rounds and hopefully be fully fit by the second week when things are tougher.

Simona Halep is seeded three and expected to reach the semis to play Kvitova, but could stumble in a possible fourth round encounter with Wimbledon specialist Sabine Lisicki, seeded 18 and a danger to all in the bottom half of the draw.

Also lurking in that half is in-form 10th seed Angelique Kerber, and if she can negotiate a path to the quarters, and beating Wozniacki would probably need to be part of the equation, then an all German match up with Lisicki could be the mouth watering prospect to determine Kvitova's opponent.

My prediction - Serena Williams v Lucie Safarova in one semi final; Petra Kvitova v Sabine Lisicki in the other.  Serena to defeat Sabine in a final featuring the best women's serving on offer.

Aga an early casualty in Paris

It hasn't been the best of years for Agnieszka Radwanska, not by a long shot.  Before arriving in Paris for her first round match in the 2015 French Open, the 2013 Roland Garros quarter finalist had won just 15 of her 27 matches this year.

Only once had she progressed far enough in a tournament to be able to play a top ten player, and she lost that match to Caroline Wozniacki.  The only other contest against a top tenner was a Fed Cup clash with Maria Sharapova, again resulting in a loss for the Polish star who began the season as the world number six.

Seeded number 14 for the year's second Grand Slam tournament Aga could only hope to turn things around. Her first opponent, German Annika Beck ranked 81 in the world should normally have posed few problems, but on the back of an incredible first serve percentage and a stack of winners, Annika restricted Aga's presence at Roland Garros this year to just three sets and one day.

Aga, the previously perennial top ten feature, has now become a struggling part of a continually changing top twenty, and at this rate could even find herself ejected from that group.  Let's hope she can rekindle her fire and her form on the grass which has provided her with such success in the past, especially at Wimbledon.

Djokovic beats Federer in a big Final again

The stats are amazing - Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have played each other 38 times with Federer leading 20-18.

And nothing can take away from the brilliant tennis provided in those clashes, including the most recent - the 2015 Indian Wells final.

What is not revealed too often is how Novak Djokovic has dominated the results in the second half of the 38 matches, those played from 2011 onwards.  The heavy spin which Federer supporters place on the Swiss performances over the past five or six years cannot hide the Serbian world number one's ability to win where and when it matters most.

Djokovic has won 12 of the past 19 matches against Federer, broken down as follows:

He has won 4 of 6 at Grand Slam level, including the only final between the two in that period.

Of the Masters Series matches Djokovic has prevailed in 5 of 8, with success in 2 of the 3 finals.

And in the 2 matches between the two at the season ending ATP Finals, Djokovic has won both, one of those a final.

In other tournaments, Federer leads 2-1, with one win apiece in finals.

Even allowing for Federer winning four of the last seven between the pair, the fact that Djokovic's three wins were all finals, including Wimbledon and two Indian Wells, puts that into better perspective.

While winning the H2H clearly over the second half of their rivalry, Djokovic has also racked up impressive Grand Slam statistics - seven titles from twelve finals, compared with Federer's one title from two finals in that time.

This is not an attempt to belittle the achievements of Roger Federer over the course of his legendary career - rather we should be more willing to celebrate the outstanding work of the current best player, Novak Djokovic, and there is no better measuring stick than his performances against Federer.

Novak has 5 Aus Opens

Last night of the Aus Open for 2015 and maybe the best match saved for the finale.  Top seed Novak Djokovic in his fifth final here attempting to make it five from five and his opponent sixth seed Andy Murray trying to lift the trophy for the first time at his fourth attempt, his third against Djokovic.

Murray's two triumphs at Grand Slam level had been wins in finals against Djokovic, but on courts in London and New York, and last year the Serbian star beat him in all contests that they shared, including a US Open quarter final. However all that counts for little really because tonight even the form from the past two weeks guaranteed nothing in terms of advantage for either player. What can truly be said is that they are evenly matched for speed and skill on the court so a potentially a great final was in store.

Djokovic won the toss and elected to serve first. Despite the inclimate weather experienced during the day, the roof was open for the start.

After netting the first point Djokovic served well and held easily, a backhand winner the highlight. Two big serves after a nervous deuce game from Murray evened it at 1-1.

Murray had three break points after blitzing Djokovic with a forehand, backhand and off forehand, two of which were clean winners. Djokovic saved them and won the game, two backhand volley winners absolute class.

The run continued with two forehand winners down the line helping to bring up three break points on the Murray serve, and the second one was converted with a winning crosscourt forehand - the top seed led 3-1.

The break was consolidated, the Djokovic serve solid when required, and at 4-1 the early edge was with Serbia.

Murray held strong, winning many of the longer exchanges, and held serve before seeing two more break points slide by. The third was too much for Djokovic to absorb though and he dropped serve to now lead 4-3.

After looking ok at 30-0, Murray stumbled and on the second break point hit one well long to leave Djokovic serving for the set at 5-3.  Yet another poor service game and the break put the set up for grabs again, Djokovic playing safe while Murray attacked with success.

Two strong holds of serve returned some sanity to the match and now it was Murray to try and take it to a tie break.

After racing through his serve Murray seized on a double fault from Djokovic on the first point in the tie break to hold the advantage until 4-2 where he contributed one of his own. Djokovic found a way to reach 6-5 and set point and a Murray netted return off a second serve sorted the first set out in favour of the world number one 7-6. It took over an hour.

Quickly over the disappointment, Murray held serve and then broke the Djokovic serve, to take a 2-0 advantage. Djokovic was continuing to find the net with too many shots especially his backhand.

Two brilliant combination winners, a lob/drop shot and a return/drop shot enabled Djokovic to achieve a break point which Murray failed to save, netting the final point and games were back in serve.

At 2-2 Murray was outlasted in two long rallies before Djokovic hit a screaming forehand return to set up three break points of which he only required one to achieve a second consecutive break of the Murray serve and take the lead 3-2.

More first serves in play gave Murray less options and Djokovic held to love, an ace sealing the 4-2 advantage.

Once again, Djokovic failed to maintain the edge and Murray levelled after converting his break point in the eighth game.

At 4-5 Djokovic was sailing at 40-0, wasted all those game points and then had to save a break point in a long game which he eventually salvaged to tie it at 5-5.

Murray saved three break points with clutch serving after Djokovic had played some exquisite passing shots earlier in the game and now the top seed had to hold serve to ensure another tie break.

The tie break came and Murray out served and out rallied Djokovic completely to level the match at a set all. We had gone a little over two and half hours and we still effectively had a best of three match to play.

Murray started set three by breaking an inconsistent Djokovic serve.  For the first time perhaps it looked ominous for the number one.

However better application from Novak and a drop in the level of play from Andy saw a break back in the fourth game and 2-2.

Murray served superbly to level 3-3 and Djokovic saved a break point with a brilliant volley under immense pressure, going on to hold for 4-3.

Then with a lift in his standard of tennis Djokovic was all over the Murray serve setting up three break points, and although Murray saved one, he double faulted on the next and suddenly Djokovic was serving for the set at 5-3. 

Having made a mess the last time he tried serving a set out it wasn't looking good again at 0-15 but Novak stood firm and his serve aided him on this occasion, and he won the game and the set 6-3 to lead two sets to one.

Incredible returning in the opening game of set four put enormous pressure on Murray and he relented on the first break point and Djokovic led two sets to one and an early break.

The momentum was irresistible now and Murray was beginning to wilt under the relentless replies from the Serbian racquet - a second break and Djokovic led 3-0.

Despite playing around with a drop shot and again failing, Djokovic survived a deuce moment to lead 4-0. 

It was a whitewash, the next break meaning Djokovic had won eleven of the past twelve games.  He would serve for the title.

Novak Djokovic served it out like the champion he had once more become. 7-6 6-7 6-3 6-0.

Williams does it yet again !

So all the preliminaries had been completed and after the upsets and promising performances we were left with the top two seeds to fittingly play off for the 2015 Aus Open Women's Singles title. Not since top seed Justine Henin defeated second seed Kim Clijsters in 2004 had the two top seeded women played off at Melbourne Park.

Maria Sharapova almost departed when in deep trouble against Panova but since that recovery has looked strong against all her opposition.  Serena Williams had lost the opening set of two of her matches but for the remainder has also appeared a likely finalist.

Past records are not meant to count but if Sharapova was to capture her second Aus Open crown she would need to defeat a player who has had the better of her since 2004 - there is that year again. Maria has only lost four finals at Grand Slam level, the same as Serena - the other side of the equation is a little different with five GS titles for Sharapova against eighteen for Williams.

Sharapova won the toss and served and didn't serve well, Serena threw in a couple of sizzling returns and a double fault gave the break to the top seed. Despite a double for her own racquet and a splendid return from Sharapova the winning shots from Williams were too many and she held for 2-0.

A far more competent display on serve from Maria ( a love game in fact) finished off with a backhand setting up a forehand winner brought the score to 2-1 in Serena's favour.

An ace and two service winners in reply to an excellent drop shot from Sharapova took Serena to 3-1 and some fine deep serves from Maria causing headaches and errant shots from Williams maintained the one game differential.

At 3-2 and 30-30 rain intruded the spectacle and the players took a much unwanted break while the roof was closed.  Maria had hit a terrific forehand winner and was having much better of the baseline rallies than earlier but Serena still had her serve as a weapon.

An ace and a winning forehand down the line after the break sent the score to 4-2.

A love game to break Sharapova again featured pinpoint groundstrokes from Williams which sent Maria from one side of Victoria to the other, and then the second seed served a double fault.

Serving for the set at 5-2 Serena stumbled facing 0-40.  Big serves saved two break points but she couldn't prevent the third from inflicting damage and Maria had one break back.

However the comeback was brief.  Three set points came from the Sharapova serve and Serena locked the set safely away 6-3 with the bonus of serving first in the second.

Three aces, one off a second serve, plus a slashing forehand winner sent a brutal message to Maria in the opening game and Serena looked good at 1-0.  Facing two more break points due to the pressure of Serena's returns, Maria served three big ones and won the fourth point to hold in a vital game. Serena's disappointment at missing out on the chances took her anger out in a positive way with another love game to lead 2-1.

From 15-30 Sharapova showed some grit, starting and finishing the game with backhand winners down the line 2-2.

After having the nerve to hit an off forehand for a return winner of a Serena first serve, the American felt insulted enough to win the next four points with huge serves and hold the edge again 3-2.

The quality of tennis from both players in the sixth game was excellent and Maria did well to overcome a rampant Serena and save a break point in the process of levelling 3-3.

Serena was at 0-30 before her booming serve rescued her, but she almost lost serve due to her over exuberance when shouting for joy prior to a point finishing. She was docked the point which she almost certainly would have won, and then had to save a break point. She did with enormous serving and steadiness in a crisis. 4-3 Williams.

Sharapova held convincingly and it was 4-4. No room for mistakes now.

The big serving remained reliable and a love game from Williams handed Sharapova the assignment of holding serve to remain in contention. "Stayin Alive" was blaring out of the speakers at change of ends.

Sharapova saved a match point with a brilliant winner and held serve for 5-5. She was not going away in a hurry. In fact she was pushing Serena hard with glorious shots from both sides and the world's best had to negotiate deuce to once again move a game away from the title 6-5.

A tie break would decide the set following possibly the best service game from Sharapova for the match.

Serena lost the first point on her serve thanks to a wonderful pass down the line from Sharapova.

She recovered and led 4-1 with some clutch tennis and big serves.  Sharapova came back to eventually be serving at 4-5 but a Serena winner gave her two more match points. The first was saved with another withering shot from Sharapova before a big serve was the proper way for the best in the world to win.

Serena Williams Australian Open champion for the sixth time 6-3 7-6 and what a privilege to have seen each one.

Djokovic in Five over Wawrinka

The second semi final in the Men's Draw promised the best tennis of the tournament with the top seed and four time winner Novak Djokovic doing battle for the third year running with fourth seed Stanislas Wawrinka, the reigning champion.

Their contests have been memorable with the winner of each going on to win the title.

Both players were decisive winners of their respective quarter finals, underscoring the excellent form displayed throughout the entire tournament to this exciting point.

Novak won the toss but hoped to win much more and he served first on the second Friday night. An ace and a double fault plus a few Wawrinka errors put the top seed on the board first. Four big first serves enabled Stan to equalise smartly. Anothe love game, this from Djokovic, completed a trifecta of games to begin the match, with not a mark on either man's serve as yet. 2-1 to Novak.

Still not many rallies but Djokovic did win a couple of the longer points when Stan netted forehands. 3-2 to Novak and no signs yet where the match was heading, both players feeling each other out.  The first test came in the sixth game where Stan missed most of his first serves but at 0-30 Djokovic could not keep enough shots in play to take advantage and it was 3-3, a classy backhand from Wawrinka the highlight.

Suddenly Djokovic was down two break points with a combination of loose shots and a winning Swiss backhand - only one break point was needed as Novak hit another forehand astray and Stan led 4-3 and looked the more assured.

Assured for five seconds at least - Djokovic broke back to love, the highlight a forehand to cause the end of a marvellous rally, Stan netting his to bring up the break points.  The tennis was starting to hot up now, with a number of mouth watering exchanges replacing the dominant serve winning points of the first handful of games - Djokovic led 5-4.

Wawrinka was in strife again on serve and Djokovic wasted two set points before Stan finally found his rhythm and two aces iced the game for 5-5.

Novak recovered from his disappointment to hold to love and Stan followed suit and the expected tie break did eventuate.

Djokovic took advantage of some Warinka bad luck, bad judgement and poor execution to run through the tie break 7-1 and take the set 7-6, an unfortunate finish to what had been an enthralling an tight contest for forty minutes.

Stan had all sorts of problems in the first game of set two, facing another two break points, but he trusted his serve and managed to find an escape route to lead 1-0, but Novak's returning was causing issues for the Swiss player.

Serve began to dominate again and at 2-3 it was Djokovic continuing to play catch up. He couldn't after a stunning Wawrinka backhand down the line pass brought up 30-30 and then Djokovic errors handed the break to the fourth seed who led 4-2.

The break was consolidated and it appeared that the match was headed for a set all with Stan ahead 5-2, his backhand now assisting him to match and often control rallies with Djokovic who had hit a poor patch.

Stan was made to serve it out and he did with his first serve behaving itself at the right time and Novak just having to accept the consequences.  6-3 Wawrinka and the match was in the balance, Djokovic to serve first in the third.

Stan was all over a jittery Djokovic serve in the first game of the third set with fantastic forehands and backhands but Djokovic survived in a game of high drama and suspense.

Novak took advantage of his escape and turned the situation completely on its head by breaking the Wawrinka serve the very next game with a combination of cross court shots to defy the Swiss game plan. 2-0 Djokovic.

3-0 with the second service hold a whole lot less complicated than the first for the now more poised number one seed.

A break point was saved and instead of being two breaks down, Stan had gained valuable confidence which he pumped into the next Novak service game and broke to love.  2-3 and back on serve.

After an easy hold for Stan, Novak returned to his expected quality to win his serve to love including a number of silky ground strokes.  Stan wasted no time in levelling again at 4-4, his first serve a fine ally.

Djokovic held serve to lead 5-4 and place the scoreboard pressure on Wawrinka who needed to hold to stay in contention for the set.  He led 40-15 but a double fault and then some wonderful cross court shot making from Djokovic culminated in a set point which Stan was incapable of preventing the top seed from converting.  Novak now led 7-6 3-6 6-4 and a five setter was again necessary should Wawrinka win this semi final. 

After a comfortable service game to lead 1-0, Djokovic set about the Wawrinka serve and broke again, a sweet backhand giving Wawrinka no choice but to net the reply. 2-0 with a serve to come.

However, as in the third set, Novak handed the break directly back with some of his more insipid play for the night. 1-2 Wawrinka but on serve and Djokovic was giving him a window of hope.

The window was almost shut when Wawrinka was down a further three break points at 0-40, but he gritted his teeth and won through with some luck and good stroke play to level at 2-2

Djokovic held more simply for 3-2.

The seventh game was a shocker for the top seed who dropped serve again and it was Wawrinka with the inside running to take the fourth set in front 4-3 and in the middle of a purple patch hitting backhands down the line for winners and forcing Djokovic into error in many of the rallies.

The set was Wawrinka's 6-4 with no fuss as he belted down his serves with style leaving Djokovic to briefly rue what might have been but more importantly concentrate on the deciding fifth set in which he would serve first.

A drama packed game with challenges all over the place and a break point saved was finally won by Djokovic and then two double faults went a large way to ending Stan's run of service holds. Djokovic 2-0 but no guarantee of consolidation given prior efforts tonight.

This time Djokovic was cool under the pressure and some delightful placement of his groundstrokes assisted him to 3-0 with still only the single break.

Wawrinka's purple patch had certainly dried up with Djokovic taking another game off the fragile looking serve of the Swiss player. 4-0 Djokovic.

Despite the double break Novak appeared nervous and at 30-40 he had to serve well. After yet another drop shot moment of madness he steadied and two fine serves, one a second delivery the next a first, put him a game away from the final, 5-0.

Stan had given his all and Novak was too good in the finish, ending with a flourish 7-6 3-6 6-4 4-6 6-0 and he would play Andy Murray for the third time in the Aus Open Final.

Murray through to a fourth final

The first Mens Semi Final was seeded to be Federer v Nadal but they are history and tonight would see sixth seed Andy Murray attempting to make his fourth final here at Melbourne Park while his opponent Tomas Berdych tried to prevent that and book a spot in his second ever Grand Slam tournament final and first Aus Open decider.

Berdych has been exemplary throughout the tournament and his straight sets disposal of Nadal was especially noteworthy.  Murray has looked sharp from the outset with his win over Dimitrov one of the best matches so far.

The two have met 10 times with Berdych holding a 6-4 edge, but they haven't played each other since 2013.  The last time they met in a Grand Slam tournament was the 2012 US Open semi final which Murray won en route to his maiden victory at the highest level.

On what has been shown this past week or so, and at Aus Opens and GS events past, I would find it hard to see Murray losing tonight.  However upsets have occurred and there are rational arguments in favour of a Berdych success.  The prospect was for an entertaining clash irrespective.

Berdych in his first two service games was tidy while Murray struggled to hold his opening effort but after the opening three it was on serve 1-2 Murray.  2-3 and the pattern followed - Berdych serving consistently and big, winning a number of free points, while Murray served well but gave enough points away to keep Berdych interested.

Murray recovered from 0-30 to eventually hold though it took quite a few game points. One rally featured Murray running down a Berdych drop shit and flicking it cross court for a brilliant winner.  Berdych kept holding serve with ease 4-3 to the Czech player.

Berdych had been playing several forehands and backhands very deep keeping Murray on the defensive and he won a couple of points this way in the eighth game before he squeezed a stunning backhand return down the line to bring up two break points. Murray couldn't handle another backhand which was shoved into the net and the first break was achieved.  Berdych was serving for the set at 5-3.

For the first time Berdych found trouble on serve and on the second of two break points Murray won a long rally full of terrific shots cross court and down the line when Berdych netted a forehand. 4-5 with Murray playing catch up.

At 5-5 Berdych confirmed that his serve had gone off the boil and because he had to participate in more rallies with Murray he was exposed to the greater execution and variety displayed by the sixth seed.  However Murray was not immune to errors and he could not convert the break chances he had so Berdych eventually held for 6-5.

After an anxious moment or two it was tie break time.

Points went against serve for most of the first part of the tie break and when Berdych double faulted when leading 4-3 he must have felt he'd wasted a big chance. To his credit he held his nerve and didn't lose another point on his serve and it was Murray who netted for the set to go to the seventh seed 7-6, eight points to six in the breaker.

Tomas was rapt and he left to celebrate with friends at a local wine bar. Upon his return Andy had clocked up the first five games of the second set. Berdych had let his guard down and Murray had retained his focus, sensed a gap in Berdych's and drove his truck straight through it.

Although Murray had left Berdych without a game to his name in set two, it was still just one set apiece and if Tomas could put his mind to the task at hand he might just realise that it wasn't all gloom and doom.

And so serves were held for awhile in the third set, not always convincingly but until Berdych stepped up to the line in the sixth game some sense of normality had returned.  Then Murray broke and Tomas was officially in dire straits.

At 5-3 Murray, with barely any resistance, strolled to 40-15 before Berdych played a terrific point and raised hopes with a sparkling winner.  Too little too late and Murray smashed a big serve to win the set and take a firm grip on the match leading 6-7 6-0 6-3.

The fourth set saw some average tennis for the first four or five games but it picked up from there and some wonderful stroke play off the racquet of Murray plus better serving from Berdych resulted in service holds to 4-5 with Murray's serve to come.

Once more it was Berdych who came undone on serve, with a double fault and some loose groundstrokes handing a break to Murray and he would serve for a place in the final at 6-5.

Quick as you like it was 40-0 and Andy Murray only needed one match point as an ace sealed the deal 6-7 6-0 6-3 7-5.