Novak Djokovic in fourth or a premiere for Kevin Anderson? The Wimbledon Final 2018 promises great tennis.
68-4. 12-0. 5-1. These are results that do not support a Wimbledon victory for Kevin Anderson. but for Novak Djokovic’s fourth triumph on Church Road. Even though the Serb had to work an extended extra shift against Rafael Nadal on the edge of the abyss on Saturday.
But, and this is the difference from games earlier this year – such as the defeat to Hyeon Chung in Melbourne – Novak Djokovic suddenly finds ways to win close matches again. In the Queen´s Club he was already close against Marin Cilic, missed a match point in the final. More important is Wimbledon. Of course. And there stands only Kevin Anderson between Djokovic and a grandiose comeback.
It will be the sixth match between the two players – the stage is the same as the last match: the Centre Court in Wimbledon. Just over three years ago, Kevin Anderson was on his way to beating Djokovic in the quarter-finals. The South African was leading two to zero sets, Djokovic fought back, Anderson left his nerves in the decision.
At least this aspect should not play a role in today’s final (3:00 pm, live on SKY and in our live ticker): Both against Roger Federer and in the epic semi-final against John Isner, Kevin Anderson hardly batted an eyelid in the precarious moments.
Nevertheless: Even though Anderson made his debut as a major finalist in last year’s US Open finale, Novak Djokovic, the twelve-time Grand Slam champion, clearly has the experience advantage. The 31-year-old from Belgrade has collected 68 tournament victories, the last at the beginning of 2017 in Doha.
Anderson’s stopping at four. After all, this year he was awarded the trophy for the first edition of the indoor tournament on Long Island.
This time the stakes are much higher. And Novak Djokovic the antithesis to Anderson’s last opponent John Isner: The former world number one returns again at the highest level, can take part in every rally. Anderson will risk a lot, Djokovic will scratch and bite.
The best conditions for a great final.
Here are the games between Novak Djokovic and Kevin Anderson so far