[dave_ladder]

I don't like being disrespectful, but I still find it amazing Cilic won a slam this year. Every time I've seen him outside of the US Open (and that match against Djokovic at Wimbledon) he's looked like a man who's struggling for form.

Tennis is a strange game. You can be mediocre all year and suddenly hit a purple patch out of nowhere for a week and be unbeatable.

[Sabine]

I'm going to see this with my parents who support Federer all throughout his career long. Paid three digits for my ticket too,so he better shows up in his best possible form.

Ooh, I hope you enjoy it, Marek! We want pictures too.

[deb]

I'm going to see this with my parents who support Federer all throughout his career long. Paid three digits for my ticket too,so he better shows up in his best possible form.

Enjoy , I'm sure Andy is up for this

[marathonarthur]

I agree very poor thus far !! He won't win another GS .

Agree

[asimov]

Thanks for the reminder about that one!  I seem to recall too that it was pretty clear just watching the match TV that the ball had bounced twice.  Also I seriously dislike all the snide remarks he's made about Andy over the years.

I'd love to see Andy beat him, but feel it might just be a step too far for him at the moment, although there again Fed is not the player he once was and I never under-estimate Andy's will and determination, so who knows?  If Andy doesn't beat him then I hope he takes a set off him and makes him work for his win.  GO ANDY!

No disrespect, just truth.  

I absolutely agree, Fed may not be the nicest person on the planet though he is not the player he was but he is still an exceptionally talented player and great competitor (I hate to say that). Andy is still some way short of the player who won 2 slams and the Olympics and Fed must be a big favourite on his current form. However who knows if Andy can hit him hard from the start, keep him off the fore-hand and frustrate him, well maybe. One thing is certain Andy must win this game to progress.

[lashurst]

Great expressions you captured there Bev.

Andy will rise to the occasions to prevail... maybe it will take 3 sets though, depends on the serve, right?

[Aileen]

Incidentally I'm reading elsewhere that come tomorrow Federer may want to take into account the outcome of Djokovic v Wawrinka. I know everyone says Djokovic is invincible right now (I am actually not convinced that he is) but Wawrinka did find his form against Berdych, so nothing to say he lost it again in the last day or so. What I am reading is that if Wawrinka wins then he would be top of Group A and Federer would possibly want to avoid playing Djokovic in the semis and prefer to play Wawrinka, therefore Fed might prefer to qualify in 2nd in Group B.

The other thing I am reading is that Fed might think about who would tire Djokovic out more Nishikori or Murray?

So much speculation. So many ifs and buts involved in all this, and the ifs and buts depend on the results of other matches.

As it turned out Djokovic put in a superb performance against Wawrinka, thrashing him 6-3, 6-0, although Stan didn't help himself because his earlier form seemed to desert him.

Andy will rise to the occasions to prevail... maybe it will take 3 sets though, depends on the serve, right?

Right!  I still have my doubts though but maybe if he can push Fed to 3 his fitness might just see him through.  I know Fed does look pretty fit, but age could tell ...