Roger Federer is such a superlative tennis betting favorite to defeat Thomas Berdych in the semifinals of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships that he should change his last name to Federest.
Date: Friday, 14th July
Time: 5:00 AM
Venue: All England Club
Online gambling odds for fans who bet on tennis:
Roger Federer -2½ (-120) 3½ (+120) -900
Tomas Berdych +2½ (-110) 3½ (-150) +600
At this point it is safe to say that the Big Swiss’ decision to skip the entire clay-court season has paid off in spades – or should that be in rackets? “I am much better prepared for Wimbledon this year,” he said. And if you don’t believe him, just ask Milos Raonic, whom Fed soundly beat in straight sets (6-4, 6-2, 7-6) in the quarterfinals – payback for last year’s semis – to advance to his 12th Wimbledon semifinal, as well as become at age 36 the oldest Wimbledon semifinalist since Ken Rosewall at 39 in ’74. “I think the most significant things are he’s mentally sharper, and he’s moving better,” the Canadian said. “You can see there’s not much doubt in his mind. He’s feeling it.” Raonic added that he “did everything [he] could” when asked if he was disappointed. He’s probably more Fed up than disappointed. The Swiss has won seven Wimbledon titles since 2003 – the last of which came in 2012 – and seems poised for an eighth championship, which would break his tie with Pete Sampras for most in the Open Era.
And now for the tennis betting underdog in this contest. Berdych advanced to his second straight Wimbledon semifinal when Novak Djokovic withdrew from their ¼-finals match in the second set as a result of an injured elbow – which was what people who bet on tennis call an upset. Like Sam Querrey in the other bracket, the Czech benefitted from a physical shortcoming in his opponent – though Berdych was leading by a set and a break of serve when the Serb cried Uncle. Berdych had not defeated Djokovic since 2013, so now he can Czech that off his to-do list. Now he will go up against who me admits to be “the greatest of them all.” He’s speaking from experience; he lost 2-6, 4-6, 4-6 to Federer in the third round of the Aussie Open earlier this year. “I thought that the match we played there, I probably never seen him playing better tennis, that’s true,” the Czech said about that encounter. Then he went to fall to the Swiss again in the QFs of the Miami Masters. Nonetheless, “no matter if it’s Roger or if it’s Novak, or a guy in the first round, what’s most important is myself, my game, belief in what I’m doing,” Berdych said. “I just need to go out there and play my best.” The Czech has reached seven grand slam semi-finals but has yet to win a major tournament – he lost the 2010 Wimbledon final to Rafael Nadal. All things considered, the tennis betting odds are against Berdych as he tries to climb Mount Federest.