Today could be the best day of tennis in years?

Certainly, we have to wait to see what happens. If both matches today are straight set dominant performances by the winner today won't be that great. But I read someplace that this is only the 12th time in the open era that the #1,#2,#3, and #4 players in the world face off in the semifinals of a grandslam. The last time it happened was the 2006 French open. But today I think that the top 4 are more evenly matched as back then Roger and Rafa were head shoulders above everybody as #1 and #2. Today all of the competitors have a chance. Maybe the big longshot is Andy upsetting Rafa on clay but so far this season Rafa has looked more vulnerable on clay and Andy has had his best clay court season ever. In the other matchup both Roger and Rafa look amazing so far this clay court season. I find it kind of amazing that the top 4 seeds have squared off against each other in a grandslam semifinal day only 12 times in 43 years. That is 12 out of about 160 grandslams since the start of the open era. The matchups are great lets hope that the level of play and the matches are close enough to uphold the expectation of the rankings. It looks like the stars have aligned and now its up to the players to bring their A games and give no quarter.

If all four are playing well then we are indeed in for a treat. With supporters of all four on 606v2 Im sure this day will raise a few hopes and much nail-biting will ensue. Certainly I shall not be moving far from the tv today.

great day for tennis and its likely that all four will get to the wimbledon semis as well

Wish I wasnt in work.... :-(

Cant wait for it. A cracking day awaits.
Latest odds from sky bet:

Rafa 1/6 on
AM 4/1
Fed 5/2
Nole 1/3 on

Im a coward .. hopeless at predicting.. Ill not risk betting on any of them frankly... just lets hope they are all feeling well, and physically fit.. then watch the fight.

Haddie/daragh right now I am getting real edgey waiting for these matchups, thank god I should be able to watch it from start to finish, as you say haddie I am glued to my tv today. I just hope we get two close and thrilling matches. Both going 4 and 5 sets and both finishing tonight.

Lydian, this is one of those days that you really need to fake illness or a death in the family, don't be so honorable get out of work in the next 120 minutes.

Socal

Hope you have a plentiful supply of popcorn--- and beers in the fridge

Yes haddie, it is going to be some really gripping stuff. We don't get days like this very often in Tennis. Usually there is a weak semi, and semi that everyone wants to see. Rarely do you get two matchups like this that are both going to be tightly contested. Usually one finalist rolls over a lower seeded player who has had a good tournament or a favorable draw.

I'm working from home and clock off at 2.00 central European time (no, really I do!) but I'm too excited and nervous to settle down and do any proper work. I can see myself pacing for the next 90 minutes.

Ha imagine how the players must be feeling!

I don't know Chazz, they must be nervous as heck to because I feel a little tense today, I can't wait, I can't think about anything else. I am like a kid on Christmas eve.

I like Djoko but Rafa is my first choice - therefore, for the first time I want Fed to win

Superochog I am so amped up today, come on Novak one more win and the #1 ranking is yours on Monday.

Top 4 seeds into the semis:

Four times in Paris: Seeds in numerical order from #1 to #4:

1984 - McEnroe, Connors, Lendl, Wilander, #1 v #3, #4 v #2
LENDL df MCENROE

1985 - McEnroe, Lendl, Connors, Wilander, #1 v #4, #3 v #2
WILANDER df LENDL

2006 - Federer, Nadal, Nalbandian, Ljubicic, #1 v #3, #4 v #2
NADAL df FEDERER

2011 - Nadal, Djokovic, Federer, Murray - pending....

Australian - twice - 1988 & 2005

Wimbledon - twice - 1993 & 1995

US Open - four - 1969, 1982, 1985 & 1992

Spread of seeds winning:
#1 - two
#2 - five
#3 - two
#4 - two

Women
This has happened only 3 times more often than the men, at 15 times.

Australia - 3 times
French - 1 time
Wimbledon - 10 TIMES!!
US Open - 1 time

Interesting to see how more dominant the occurences have been on grass, because until fairly recently, the grass court specialists have enforced their games.

Also that it's only happened once each at French and US Open's.

The No 2 seed has NEVER won the Major, when all four top seeds have made it to semifinals!!

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s
Rafa and a Happy Birthday VAMOS