S.P. Read Esq. Djokovic v Federer

Our daily columnist and pundit S.P.Read Esq. previews DJOKOVIC v FEDERER (2pm, BBC).

Hard to keep up with the Great Summer Of Sport isn’t it?

British Grand Prix, Wimbledon Final, Tour De France/Yorkshire and THAT football tournament in Brazil.

For me, I have to turn to the tennis today and what has the potential to be a classic on Centre Court – Novak Djokovic v Roger Federer.

Djokovic is bidding to erase the memory of last year when he was beaten by Andy Murray in the final. I remember that match well. If you strip out the Murray hysteria that went with it – I thought Djokovic was unusually subdued that day and not fired up as we have been used to.

Djokovic has been the ante-post favourite from the start but a little bit like Brazil in the World Cup has been getting the results without looking especially impressive.

Federer, on the other hand, has only dropped the one set as he bids for a remarkable eighth Wimbledon title 11 years after his first.

Surprisingly, when checking the stats, I noted that they have only met once before on grass. That was in 2012 when Djokovic lost in the semi-finals to Federer.

Djokovic was quick to praise the form of his opponent: “His level has been very high, I have to say. I’ve been watching him in a few matches. He didn’t have many tough matches up to the quarter-finals. Against Stan (Wawrinka) he played well. With his immense experience of winning this title so many times and from being so dominant in men’s tennis for over a decade, of course that helps in the approach of a grand slam final.”

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Max last 10 only)
2014 ATP Monte-Carlo (MON) Clay Roger Federer Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-2
2014 ATP Indian Wells (USA) Hard Novak Djokovic Roger Federer 3-6 6-3 7-6(3)
2014 ATP Dubai (UAE) Hard Roger Federer Novak Djokovic 3-6 6-3 6-2
2013 ATP London (GBR) I_Hard Novak Djokovic Roger Federer 6-4 6-7(2) 6-2
2013 ATP Paris (FRA) I_Hard Novak Djokovic Roger Federer 4-6 6-3 6-2
2012 ATP London (GBR) I_Hard Novak Djokovic Roger Federer 7-6(6) 7-5
2012 ATP Cincinnati (USA) Hard Roger Federer Novak Djokovic 6-0 7-6(7)
2012 ATP Wimbledon (GBR) Grass Roger Federer Novak Djokovic 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-3
2012 ATP French Open (FRA) Clay Novak Djokovic Roger Federer 6-4 7-5 6-3
2012 ATP Rome (ITA) Clay Novak Djokovic Roger Federer 6-2 7-6(4)

For the bet on Star Spreads, the home of sports spread betting, I’m a seller on total games at 43. Although I think it will be close, that starting spread looks too high and there’s more fat on the sell side.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE WIMBLEDON MENS FINAL MARKETS ON STAR SPREADS

RECOMMENDED BET (scale 1-100 points)

SELL TOTAL GAMES at around 43 with Star Spreads for 25 points

WORLD CUP SO FAR: LOSS 139.75 POINTS

• Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
• Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.