Familiar faces – new foes at Wimbledon

The Wimbledon final matchups have been decided and familiar faces are present.  Across the net, though, they will see new opposition. 

Rafael Nadal (2) returns to the final after sitting out a year because of injury.  For the first time, he will not be staring at Roger Federer.

Nadal defeated Brit hopeful Andy Murray (4), extending Great Britain’s drought of 72 years since a hometown Wimbledon winner.  Murray did not play poorly, he just did not win the big points.  Murray was Nadal’s equal or better in many statistical categories, but Nadal knew when to turn up the pressure.

Tomas Berdych (12), who knocked Federer out of the quarterfinals, showed the same aggressive, powerful play in the semis to beat Novak Djokivic (3).  Djokovic, who will pass Federer in the rankings next week for the first time, was gracious in his post-match press conference.  “I want to congratulate him. He played a great match and a great tournament. He’s just a better player today on the court, he said. “I guess when I had the opportunities, I didn’t use them. In important moments I served some double-faults. I was a little bit unfortunate in some points. But I definitely didn’t take my chances and he used it, so he deserved to win.”

The same pattern holds true for the women’s draw.  Serena Williams (1) will look to defend her title, but this time, not against her sister, Venus.  Williams will face Vera Zvonareva (21).

Williams got to the final by defeating unseeded Petra Kvitova, whp put up a challenge in the first set, but, as so many do, eventually was outgunned by Williams.

Zvonareva had to come from a set down to defeat the suprising Tsvetana Pironkova, who had shocked the world with her upset over Venus Williams.  Zvonareva showed a level of emotional control which had let her down in big matches in the past.