How they line-out today

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Federer v Djokovic

(Roger Federer leads 14-12)

2006 Monte Carlo (Clay) R64 Federer 6-3, 2-6, 6-3

2006 Davis Cup (Hard) R4 Federer 6-3, 6-2, 6-3

2007 Australian Open (Hard) R16 Federer 6-2, 7-5, 6-3

2007 Dubai (Hard) QF Federer 6-3, 6-7, 6-3

2007 Canada (Hard) R1 Djokovic 7-6, 2-6, 7-6

2007 US Open (Hard) QF Federer 7-6, 7-6, 6-4

2008 Australian Open (Hard) SF Djokovic 7-5, 6-3, 7-6

2008 Monte Carlo (Clay) SF Federer 6-3, 3-2 (ret)

2008 US Open (Hard) SF Federer 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2

2009 Miami (Hard) SF Djokovic 3-6, 6-2, 6-3

2009 Rome (Clay) SF Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-3

2009 Cincinnati (Hard) R1 Federer 6-1, 7-5

2009 US Open (Hard) SF Federer 7-6, 7-5, 7-5

2009 Basel (Hard) R1 Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 6-2

2010 Canadian Open (Hard) SF Federer 6-1, 3-6, 7-5

2010 US Open (Hard) SF Djokovic 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5

2010 Shanghai (Hard) SF Federer 7-5, 6-4

2010 Basel (Hard) R1 Federer 6-4, 3-6, 6-1

2010 ATP World Finals (Hard) SF Federer 6-1, 6-4

2011 Australian Open (Hard) SF Djokovic 7-6, 7-5, 6-4

2011 Dubai (Hard) R1 Djokovic 6-3, 6-3

2011 Indian Wells (Hard) SF Djokovic 6-3, 3-6, 6-2

2011 French Open (Clay) SF Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6

2011 US Open (Hard) SF Djokovic 6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5

2012 Rome (Clay) SF Djokovic 6-2, 7-6

2012 French Open (Clay) SF Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-3

FEDERER ON DJOKOVIC . . .

“He used to maybe have a bit of a match where he wouldn’t play so well at times or lose early in a tournament. He also had some health issues early on with his breathing. Little things like that play a role in the everyday grind on tour. He’s been able to put a lot of these things aside, and he seems a very complete and happy player right now. With his shot-making, you know the match is never over until the umpire calls the score.”

DJOKOVIC ON FEDERER . . .

“He has a really smart game for this surface but I have improved playing on grass. Most of our matches are very close. I won two years in a row against him with match points down, so I can’t really say I’ve been winning comfortably those matches. He has won the most Grand Slams in history. He’s rated as probably the best player in history. He has won everything . . . He has a lot of respect from me, from all the players.”

VERDICT

They’ve never met before on grass, a remarkable statistic given they’ve played on 26 occasions. Federer will never have a better chance to end a seven-match losing run. The court is playing a little slower nowadays, the bounce is higher and that will suit Djokovic. Federer needs to be aggressive, force the pace and look to get to the net. The Serbian rightly starts as favourite and gets the vote.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Murray v Tsonga

(Murray leads 5-1, in ATP tour matches)

2004 Nottingham Challenger (Grass) R16 Tsonga 7-5, 6-2

2007 Metz (Hard) QF Murray 6-3, 6-3

2008 Australian Open (Hard) R128 Tsonga 7-5, 6-4, 0-6, 7-6

2009 Canada (Hard) SF Murray 6-4, 7-6

2010 Wimbledon (Grass) QF Murray 6-7, 7-6, 6-2, 6-2

2010 Shanghai (Hard) QF Murray 6-2, 6-2

2011 Queen's Club (Grass) R1 Murray 3-6, 7-6, 6-4

MURRAY ON TSONGA . . .

"Jo's a tough opponent. He served very well so far. It's a very different match to playing against Rafa , but he's one of the best grass court players in the world. Having played Jo quite a lot of times I know him well. We played a lot in the junior. Rather than focusing on it being the semi-finals of Wimbledon, I need to focus on what I do well against him and what's worked against him in the past."

TSONGA ON MURRAY . . .

"For me, Andy's one of the players I don't like to play because he returns really well and he can play some really good passing shots. He's really quick, so is tough for me. But, you know, I beat him once. And last time we played together on grass, I had a match point and it was really close. I will have a chance. If we both play at 100 per cent I have maybe less than him, but I will have some and I will try to take it."

VERDICT

Murray won’t have an advantage in terms of serve on this occasion. Tsonga’s is arguably more effective. The French man has the physical tools, the talent; it’s his mental strength that’s the key issue. Murray has shown that resilience en route to the semi-final. The Scot is better on return and his game management gives him an edge provided he can settle. Heart: Tsonga. Head: Murray.