tennis

Federer ousted; Djokovic beats Nishikori to set up semifinal clash with Nadal at Wimbledon

15 Comments
By Dave JAMES

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Always a bridesmaid but never a bride

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I am really disappointed. This could have Kei-chans year. But Djokevic, Nadal and Federer will retire soon. Kei-chan has time on his side. I think he could really go deep at US Open this year.

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

Đoković does seem to be paired with many blind umpires!

Let's see. We get a Đoković-Nadal match to look forward to, Federer runs out of gas when he finally meets someone of significance, and England loses (which means Wimbledon goers will actually concentrate on the tennis this Sunday). What's not to like about today, apart from the fact that the Đoković-Nadal match won't be a final?

Ganbare Japan:

Don't worry - you can retcon what happened yesterday and relive your trollings in a parallel universe. And let me help - the upcoming hardcourt season is gonna be Kei-chan's favourite. Or was it grass? No, it was clay, according to you a few weeks ago.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I am really disappointed. This could have Kei-chans year. But Djokevic, Nadal and Federer will retire soon. Kei-chan has time on his side.

Nadal and Federer were expected to have already retired well Federer at least yet proves everyone wrong still playing top level tennis. It’s sad that you feel Kei’s only chance of winning is when the dominating players retire. Kei is 28 and there are quite a few better ranked players younger and also about the same age as him. He doesn’t have much time either, he’s also prone to injury. He done well getting to the quarter finals.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

A win for Uniqlo no matter who won.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Novak. What a warrior.! Could not be more proud of him! Easy work.

Federer rocking that ridiculous Uniqlo garb. He should go back to wearing Nike like a real athlete.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Only caught the final 2 sets of Nishikori's match, but truth be told he looked totally out-classed by Đoković. He just doesn't have it in him to go toe-to-toe with the world's best, as we've seen again and again. That said, a QF result at Wimbledon is hardly a disappointment in what's been an awful year for Nishikori. (However, Nishikori did have a lovely point where he hit a nice between-the-legs shot while chasing down a lob, and then absolutely ripped a cross-court backhand on the next shot to win the point. Gorgeous point there...)

Federer-Anderson was an excellent match to watch. I really enjoyed that one. There were a few points where I think everyone was expecting the Federer magic to take over and clinch that inevitable break, but it was not to be. Anderson truly kept a level head. He didn't look one bit rattled by the situation. Even after he won, he was a cool customer. Bravo to him and his steely nerves.

Nadal-Del Potro was on too late for me to watch, and what a pity. Caught the highlights this morning - looks like it was a classic!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

"Djokovic, who leads his epic head-to-head rivalry with Nadal 26-25..."

Notice how there was no mention of the game against Kei being epic for Djokovic.

Ganbare Japan: "I am really disappointed. This could have Kei-chans year. But Djokevic, Nadal and Federer will retire soon. Kei-chan has time on his side. I think he could really go deep at US Open this year."

I think it's sad when people would rather have their favorite player or team win by others quitting or failing then by actual talent. All Ganbare Japan is saying is that Kei Nishikori just doesn't have the skill to beat the current champs -- not even close. This could not have been Kei's year as such, nor last year, nor the year before that, nor the one before that, as all you guys have said every year since the media began to over-hype their new golden boy. The majority of Kei "fans" don't even know his name anymore; he's in the trash basket of bandwagon fandom next to Ishikawa.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Career best result for Nishikori at Wimbledon, alas his forehand was all over the place yesterday. Was lucky to be able to take the second set, after Djokovic lost his nut over the code violation.

Hopefully the right elbow isn’t serious and we Nishikori fans can soon enjoy further good performances during the hard court season!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

smithinjapan: The majority of Kei "fans" don't even know his name anymore; he's in the trash basket of bandwagon fandom next to Ishikawa.

I see your point, but hope that it doesn't go too far.

Look - how can we fairly evaluate Nishikori? If we're being honest, I think we can call him a very good player who will ultimately remain one step below the top "elite" tier of players. And there's no shame in that at all! He can carve out a very respectable career, make a ton of money, become the most successful men's player in Japanese history, and who knows - it's certainly not impossible for him to take a Grand Slam title if the cards fall right. And if we're looking at that in terms of the broader tennis world - that's a very good player! Japan ought to be proud.

The danger in his legacy is that the J-media pushed too hard, too soon, and created unrealistic expectations among the Japanese fans. That created some backlash among skeptics who had a more realistic opinion of Nishikori's game (see: more than a few JT posters, myself included). But, the bigger danger is that the fans who hopped on the bandwagon might completely abandon him (like smithinjapan suggested) now that reality is becoming more obvious to all. I hope that's not the case. Nishikori deserves the love and support and fandom that comes with being a "very good player" - not forgotten just because he couldn't become the mega-champion that the media claimed he would.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

fxgai: Hopefully the right elbow isn’t serious and we Nishikori fans can soon enjoy further good performances during the hard court season!

Here's hoping! He really needs to shake that injury bug. The constant rehabbing of injuries is enough to keep any player from getting into a proper groove.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The Original Wing: perfectly said in your 2:15 p.m. post. Unfortunately, it is already the case that he's been abandoned by many. I know more than a few people who talked about him nearly every day a few years back and now literally turn red and stare at the ground if I ask how he's doing. No joke. And you're absolutely right about the backlash the media and the false supporters it created (or people who actually somewhat fans who just overexaggerated or were unrealistic about him, making excuses about injuries, the court, a wet ball, saving energy, etc.). I don't think he's a bad player, but he'll never be one of the best. Unfortunately, those who have already said he is the best get defensive when given the facts, and there are one of two options: double down and then just claim if you don't adore him unconditionally you therefore must hate him (and should not comment), b) eventually they too stop mentioning him; it's easier than admitting they have been wrong.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Anderson v. Isner will be the tallest semifinal ever, lol

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I think he could really go deep at US Open this year. theyve be saying that for last 4 yrs

2 ( +2 / -0 )

wtfjapan: "I think he could really go deep at US Open this year. theyve be saying that for last 4 yrs"

Isn't it five now?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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