SW34 is TENNIS.com's Wimbledon blog that will provide on-site news, insight and commentary about a pair of legendary 34-year-olds, Roger Federer and Serena Williams, as they look to once again triumph at the All England Club.
WIMBLEDON, England—Three quick thoughts on Roger Federer’s draw:
Federer has never faced world No. 51 Guido Pella before, but this content still shouldn’t be a problem. The 26-year-old Argentine cracked the Top 100 for the first time last year; this year, he’s had a tough time getting out of the first round of main draws—he’s taken six such defeats. Despite playing just a few tournaments over the past few months, Federer shouldn’t encounter trouble in moving through at his favorite tournament of them all.
If Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils face off in the third round, the winner of that tête-à-tête could give Federer some trouble on Manic Monday. Monfils and Federer have put on some epic displays at Grand Slams before (remember the 2014 U.S. Open quarterfinals, when Federer saved two match points in victory?) and the mercurial Frenchman has beaten the Swiss four times, most recently in Monte Carlo last year. Federer may not need to worry though, as Simon has a 6-1 record against Monfils, and would be less of a threat.
The most obvious challenge for Federer is top-seeded Novak Djokovic, whom he could meet in the semifinals. Djokovic has won their last four Grand Slam contests, including the previous two Wimbledon finals, but not all hope is lost for Federer. The pressure of the calendar-year Slam will be riding heavy on Djokovic’s shoulders, while Federer comes into SW19 playing with something of house money. It calls to mind the 2011 French Open, when Federer beat a then-undefeated Djokovic in the semis. History might not repeat itself, as Federer hasn’t been healthy for most of the season and is now 34 years old. But a free-flowing seven-time Wimbledon champion is more dangerous than anyone in this draw.