PICKS: WIMBLEDON, DAY 14, MEN'S FINAL PREVIEW

The artful Roger over the Flipper

By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net

4-ROGER FEDERER (SUI) VS. MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS (AUS)

Photos:Fred Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc. Design: Ron Cioffi/tr.net

In thumping Andy Roddick in straight sets, Roger Federer gave one of the best performances this writer has ever seen on Centre Court. There was so much talk about Roddick's fireball of a serve – you know, the one he torched at a record 149-mph at Queens and the one that was averaging in the mid-120s here during this fabulous fortnight.

But look what Federer did to him: He made him work almost every single point by, as Brad Gilbert said, chipping it back in play. Once he got into rallies, he made Andy work very hard. Andy began to press and by keeping the iron down too long, he burned a hole in his shorts.

The Swiss is a true White Wizard (even with his black mane) when he's on. No one has as many options as he does and that includes Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt and Juan Carlos Ferrero. Go ahead and match him up stroke for stroke against anyone and he gets the edge, he just hasn't competed that well in the past.

Federer's flat serve out wide to the ad court is amazing; his has the hands of a newborn at net; he's a terrific athlete, great mover and an intelligent returner. His one-handed backhand has more variety than anyone does – it's simply Henin-esque. He can pound it flat, go crosscourt or down the line with topspin and cut it low. His forehand is nothing to sneeze at, either.

With all that said, when you have that many choices, it's difficult to put it all together and once you get out of rhythm, it's hard to find consistency. That and a questionable head has kept Federer out of the Slam winner's circle.

In Philippoussis, Federer will be facing a Master Blaster who doesn't have a mastermind, but who has nearly as much weaponry. Flip can spank it from the baseline from both wings, also has variety on his groundies, can flatten it out or kick his serve and is a good volleyer once he closes to within a couple feet of the net. His transition game is suspect and he isn't the greatest strategist, but he's become a tremendous fighter mid-career.

The Aussie won't give Federer as many looks from the baseline as Roddick did, but he's going to have to have the serving day of his life to pull this one out.

Let's hope for a classic five-setter, but in the end, a four-set victory for Federer to become the first male from tiny Switzerland to win Wimby appears more likely.