Barry Cowan Why I’m backing Federer

The Sky Sports commentator tips the great Swiss to prevail against Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles final.

Roger Federer against Novak Djokovic has all the makings of a classic Wimbledon final. Federer is chasing a record eighth title at SW19 and an 18th Grand Slam overall. Djokovic is aiming for his second Wimbledon and seventh Major. Federer won their only previous meeting at Wimbledon in the semi-finals two years ago, and leads the head-to-head record 18-16. But he is trying to defy history and become the oldest winner at 32, and just over a month after he became a father to a second set of twins.

Here, Sky Sports commentator and former British player Barry Cowan answers the key questions about whether Federer can rewrite the record books once again.

Are you surprised to see Roger in the final?

I’m not surprised. As soon as Rafa Nadal was out, Roger was favourite to make the final. Apart from a couple of weeks, he has played great tennis this year. He knows that if he plays his best tennis here at Wimbledon, he wins the title. It was important for him to win the warm-up event in Halle even though he didn’t play particularly well, but here at Wimbledon his play has been sublime.

Has his route to the final been too easy, not preparing him for the challenge of facing Novak Djokovic?

I don’t think it has. In the second set of his quarter final against Stanislas Wawrinka, there was no room for error. If he had lost the second set, he would have lost the match because I didn’t see him coming back from two sets down against a recent Grand Slam winner. In my mind, he was pushed in that set and had to play his best tennis and he was able to do it. He is certainly battle hardened. Novak has been up and down emotionally whereas Roger has kept on an even keel. That’s why I feel Roger might be able to handle the pressure moments better than Novak.

Is this Federer’s last shot at glory?

I still think Roger has plenty more left. He’s only 32 and is young in his body and he is moving great. Last year was an exception. I don’t think anyone realised the extent of his back injury but you only have to look at his results and how he was playing. He was trying to hit winners from all over the place because he didn’t want to get involved in the rallies, but this year he has been moving much better and looked a lot sharper. The first thing to go will be the desire to get out there and compete rather than age catching him up with him. But if you look at the way he is playing here, that is certainly not a factor.

What must the Swiss star do to win?

Roger has only lost his serve once all tournament, and that will be key, along with making Djokovic move. Novak is not a great mover on grass because you see him slipping and sliding all over the place, whereas Roger looks so balanced. If he gets involved in a slugfest with Novak he loses. If he is aggressive and comes forward and chips and charges to the net, like he did when he beat him in Dubai earlier this year, he can win.

I think Roger feels he is going to win on grass whereas I don’t know if Novak is convinced he will win on grass.